Radio communication company, Icom UK Ltd is pleased to announce that it is to be the official radio communication supplier to the Honda RYA Youth RIB Championship for 2007.

The Honda RYA Youth RIB Championship is a National Championship in which 8 - 16 year old youngsters can demonstrate their boating skills. Local heats are organised throughout the country and with winners going forward to the regional final which is followed by the national final. The winner of the national final wins the much coveted prize of a RIB for their club.

The competition takes the form of a time trial around a set of marks and the fastest time wins. 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 has two runs, one as a practice and one as a ‘hot lap’. Both runs are timed and the fastest time put forward.

To show its support to the series, Icom UK will be supplying 12 IC-M90, waterproof VHF handheld radios to the RYA.

Andrew Norton, RYA Motor Cruising Events Manager said, 'We are very pleased to welcome Icom as a sponsor to the Championship. The radios will be used by the instructor in each competitor’s boat, the time keepers and the event marshals.'
He went on to say, 'Our association with Icom means that we have high quality communication equipment available to us. Icom radios are generally regarded as very reliable and we are really grateful to Icom for this donation.'

Bob Stockley, Icom's Sales and Marketing Director said, 'Icom is extremely pleased to be involved with this championship. We have always had close links with organisations that have a strong emphasis on personal development and safety, so we felt this initiative was an obvious choice for us. Everyone here can’t wait for what promises to be a very exciting season next year and would like to wish good luck to all the youngsters involved.'

February 2007