YOUNG powerboaters have descended on the area for the finals of a boating championship.

Powerboaters from across the nation came to Datchet Water Sailing Club on June 9, to compete in the Honda RYA Youth RIB Championship 2018.

The competition was in the form of a time trial around a set of marks, during which competitors had to complete a slalom, perform a stop exercise, and undertake a 360 degree reverse around a buoy before sprinting to the finish.

The championship was open to RIB (a form of light, manoeuvrable watercraft) drivers in two age categories, 8 to 12 and 13 to 16 years old.

The winners were Cameron Pratt,11, of Uxbridge and Harrison Tickner, 16, of Gospel Oak. Having won the regional finals, both will now proceed to the national championships. The prize for the national champion is a powerful RIB of their own.

Stuart Philbey, senior instructor and training manager at Datchet Water Sailing Club said: “We were excited to host the event. It’s great that it has also promoted safe powerboating even with kids that aren’t taking part in the event – they are taking an interest in the how boats should be driven and how kill cords work.”

For more details about the championship, visit www.rya.org.uk/go/hondayouthrib