Paddy's off to powerboating final - again!

A 16-year-old powerboat driver from Torpoint has raced to victory – for the second time - in the south west regional finals of Honda RYA Youth RIB Championship, which took place at the Mount Batten Centre, on Saturday 23 May.

Paddy James, a member of the Royal Western Yacht Club, did his RYA Level 2 Powerboat qualification through the RN Cadet Force at his school, Plymouth College. He first won the regional title in the 13-16 class in 2013. This year, he completed the course around the Cattewater in 1.24.94, beating his club-mate and fellow Plymouth College pupil Hamish Rose (15) into second place by just over 12 seconds. Harry Gibbons and Cameron Aiken also finished in the top 5.

He will now go forward to compete in the grand final at the Southampton Boat Show in September. He said: “I’m really looking forward to going to Southampton and very excited about having won the regional final again. I hope to do a bit better at the national final this time – I’m aiming around the one-minute mark.”

Once he’s finished his GCSEs in June, Paddy is planning a family trip to the Hebrides, where he, his father, uncle and cousin will be out in a RIB and camping for around ten days – giving him plenty of extra practice and experience.

Steve Morris, Head of Power Equipment for Honda (UK) comments: “We are pleased to continue our long and successful partnership with the RYA in supporting the Honda RYA Youth RIB Championship in its fourteenth year.

“Honda and our boat partner Highfield are delighted to support the RYA in its endeavours to motivate and encourage young people to develop their skills and to promote safe and responsible racing through this unique and exciting championship.”

The Honda RYA Youth RIB Championship, sponsored by Honda and Highfield, 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 Highfield 460 or a Honwave T40 for their club.

The Honda RYA Youth RIB Championship is Britain’s leading programme introducing kids to powerboats and training them to be safe, proficient drivers and excellent boat handlers.

RIBs are light, manoeuvrable craft and the boats driven in the Honda RYA Youth RIB Championship can hit speeds of up to 25mph.