A total of fifteen wanabee powerboaters are signed up for tomorrow’s Honda RIB Challenge Heats hosted by 7th Wave. The Honda RYA Youth Rib Championship 2008 sponsored by Honda, Ribcraft, Icom and Indespension Trailers is a National Championship in which 8 – 16 year old Rigid Inflatable Boat (RIB) drivers, can demonstrate their skills with the goal of winning a 4.8m Ribcraft RIB with a Honda 50hp engine on an Indespension trailer and Icom radio for their club.
The competition takes the form of a time trial around a set of marks and the fastest time wins. The buoys are set approximately 7 metres or 1½ boat lengths apart so that skill and control, and not necessarily speed, are the most important factors. Each competitor will have two runs, one as a practice run and one as a ‘hot lap’. Both runs are timed and the fastest time put forward.
There are two classes: 8-12 years old and 13-16 years old. This is the age of the entrant at the time of the national final i.e. for the 8-12 year olds the competitor should not have had their 13th Birthday before September 21st 2008 and similarly in the 13-16 year old section they should not have had their 17th birthday before September 21st 2008.
7th Wave will be hosting our heats on Friday 30th May. We will provide an intensive morning of training for all participants prior to them competing in the 7th Wave heat in the afternoon. Boats and buoyancy aids will be provided by 7th Wave. A qualified Powerboat Instructor will be on board with participants at all times during the event. Winners and runners up will be eligible to enter the Manx Regional Final.
The Regional finals, sixteen in all, are held by clubs and RYA centres throughout the British Isles. The Isle of Man Regional Final will be hosted by the Isle of Man Yacht Club in Port St Mary on Saturday 28th June. Winners from the Regional Final are eligible to compete in the National Final at the Southampton International Boatshow in September. At the Regional finals trophies and other prizes are presented for the first, second and third places in each category. At the National final the Ribcraft are awarded to the winners respective club/organisation and the winners receive a trophy and further prizes.
Anyone aged between 8 and 16 can enter the competition, no previous RIB driving experience is required as full training will be given. The event will start at 10am on Friday 30th May. Closing date for entries is 28th May 6pm, entry fee is £39 per person for the full day. If you would like further information or to enter please contact us at this email address or phone 836366.
Further information is available at http://www.rya.org.uk/Youth/hondaryayouthrib/hondaryayouthrib.htm