A local powerboater has followed in the wake of her big brother as Tenby’s Mairwen James won a Welsh area title in the Honda RYA Youth RIB Championship in Swansea.

Ieuan James won the 13-16 bracket last year to qualify for the national finals, while this time round Mairwen led the way in the 8-12 age group.

It was a West Wales double as Lampeter 15-year-old Hywel Jackson, representing Saundersfoot and beaten into second place last year in the 13-16 age group by James, bounced back to win by more than 10 seconds.

Tenby’s Lewis James, aged 14 and no relation, was in second, Loughor Inshore Rescue’s Jac Edwards was third, while Mumbles powerboater Jack Cawsey-Williams was fourth after winning the younger age group last year, in the event held at Swansea Watersports.

Saundersfoot’s Mairwen James won the 8-12 age group by a comfortable margin, with the Steadman sisters Daisy and Lucy from Mumbles second and third in that order. Older sister Millie was fifth in the older age group with a time down on last year’s performance.

Jackson and James win the right to compete in the national final which will be held on Sunday, September 25, at Southampton Boat Show.

“It’s a great competition and a great opportunity. I have really enjoyed it,” said Jackson on his win, while Mairwen was delighted she had been persuaded to follow her older brother and take part.

Ceri Davies, of Swansea Watersports, added, “I think that the Honda Youth RIB challenge is a great way to encourage young people in to the sport of power boating. Clubs and training centres should embrace the competition.”

Andrew Norton, RYA event director, said: “It’s fantastic to see the competition continuing to thrive, with more than 5,000 children across the UK participating in last year’s event.

“The standard continues to rise every year, and we look forward to welcoming more competitors than ever in 2016.”

Now in its 15th year, 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.