 I was very honoured on Saturday to be invited by the Lowther family to attend a presentation for their son Aaron at the Island Yacht Club. I brought my husband and son along with me.
For the second year running, Aaron has won the national youth championship for RIB Powerboat racing. It is evident that Aaron is not only has an exceptional talent, he has also worked incredibly hard for his achievement. RIB racing requires great discipline and precision. I learnt that Canvey, and the Estuary more generally, is not the easiest place to train for this sort of racing, involving lots of early mornings to manage the challenge posed by the tide and all the cleaning to keep the boats workable.
There was a great atmosphere at the club. His family are justifiably proud of his achievement, as is the rest of the club, and the young cadets, who were there in force. I thought Ray Howard summed it up just right when he said how proud Canvey as a whole was of what Aaron had achieved. Indeed, more than 80 islanders had travelled to Southampton to support Aaron when he won.
By winning the championship, Aaron has won another RIB powerboat for the club. Penny from St.Nicholas' blessed the boat before its launch. And there was a RIB challenge race for some of the members and the cadets. I was given a ride, at high speed, out into the Estuary, which I thoroughly enjoyed.
We've been reading in the press this week lots of depressing stories about the bad behaviour of young people. I'm really glad that there's also been good coverage of Aaron's brilliant achievement. But Aaron himself said that he couldn't have achieved what he'd done without the support of the club and his family.
The club itself is really positive towards young people, and my impression is that this attitude is reflected in the behaviour of the youngsters who were there. The children there immediately took my three year old off to join in their games. The children had perfect manners.
It was a great morning. Thank you to Rhonda, the rest of the Lowther family and the Club officials and members who gave my family such a warm welcome. | 
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