“Think you’re King of the Waves?†was the
question posed to local and specialist journalists by Honda (UK) and
the RYA in the build up to the 38th Southampton International Boat
Show; their chance to answer came today at the show’s Media Day with
the introduction of the Honda RYA Media RIB
Challenge.
Local Southampton press and popular
marine media were invited to battle it out in a ‘Top Gear’-style challenge around a
pre-determined course (identical to the RYA Youth RIB Challenge Course)
on the choppy Southampton Water.
In order to separate the men from the boys the
journalists were given Honda-powered identical RIBS and the challenge
to beat the 2007 RYA Youth RIB fastest qualifying time of 1.06.97mins
set by 15-year-old Paul Magowan. After plenty of fighting talk, the
competition began with Rachel Healy from ITV Meridian taking to the
water and throwing down the gauntlet for fellow competitors with a time
of 2.22.37mins.
She was followed by fellow local
journalist Will Carson from the Southampton Daily Echo and a number of
journalists from marine titles Motor Boats Monthly, Motor Boat and
Yachting, RIB International, Blue Sheets and World of Powerboats, all
of whom set times within a few seconds of each other but none of them
came within 30 seconds of Paul’s time. But the competition was
extremely fierce and they all had a great time en route and learnt a
great deal more about the RYA Youth RIB Challenge.
Said
eventual winner Nick Rust from ‘World of Powerboats†who set a time of
1.36.71, “….that was really good fun. It was choppy out there but once
you got going it was very rapid. I think this is a great initiative of
Honda (UK) and the RYA to introduce us to the RYA Youth RIB Challenge
and let us experience it at first hand. It is a superb event for young
people all over the country teaching them the skills of boating in a
controlled environment.â€
Honda (UK) ended the
event in style with a prize giving ceremony on the Honda (UK) stand
(CO60) where the winner was awarded with a duffle bag full of Honda
goodies and the slowest was given the chance to learn some powerboating
tips with a free copy of Peter White’s ‘Powerboat Companion’.
The Honda RYA Youth RIB Challenge is a nation-wide
scheme which encourages children from 8 to 16 to learn safety and skill
on the water in a fun and safe environment. The journalist challenge
also heralds the eve of the Honda RYA Youth RIB Challenge National
Finals which take place tomorrow (Saturday 15th September) on
Southampton Water. Presentation of the trophies will take place on the
Honda (UK) stand with Senior Vice President of Honda Motor Europe – Ken
Keir presenting the victorious entrant with a brand new RIB package for
his or her training club.
