News

European Universities Rowing Championships (EUSA)

Congratulations to Fergus Bryce for his performance at EUSA in Bydgoszcz, Poland last weekend.
After placing an impressive 2nd place in the Open 2x at BUCS Regatta this year, Fergus and his doubles partner qualified their boat to represent the UK at this prestigious event!

Over the weekend the Queen’s 2x raced against crews from over 20 countries and on Sunday put on an outstanding race resulting in them winning the B final by 5 seconds.

Well done Fergus and the rest of the team, a fantastic end to a busy season!

Congratulations to COBRA member Colin Hunter ('66-'73) on another successful World Masters Rowing Championships in Banyoles, Spain. Colin, rowing for Belfast Boat Club, won both his E8+ and F8+ finals (the latter in a time faster than the other three finals) and also competed in E4+, D8+, G2- & Mixed E8+ events. Colin was part of the hugely successful CAI crew of '72 who had a recent reunion at the boathouse and on the river.

Colin is four from the left in the picture.

We also congratulate Roddy Clarke ('55-'62?) competing (for Lady Victoria Boat Club) at the same regatta, in H2x, J-M2x, H4x & I2x events. Roddy, as far as we know, is the oldest CAI oarsman still actively rowing...unless you know otherwise?

Roddy is at stroke in the picture, with Stevie Smith of Lagan Scullers Club.

Yesterday afternoon, we were deeply honoured to host the boat naming ceremony in memory of our late friend, colleague, and coach, Darren Quigg.

The presence of over 200 people within the boathouse was a powerful testament to the influence Darren had on so many lives.

We extend our sincere thanks to all who contributed to this project. The boat will serve the athletes of Coleraine GSRC for many years to come, standing as a lasting tribute to the values of commitment and dedication that Darren embodied and instilled in us all.

Congratulations to COBRA member Rachel Bradley on a tough battle to 4th in the final of the Women’s Double Sculls at the FISU World University Games. Brilliant racing, well done!

Wishing the very best of luck to COBRA member Rachel Bradley as she represents Team GB at the FISU World University Games over the coming days.

Rachel begins her campaign tomorrow morning at 11:38 (BST) in the Women’s Double Sculls. Follow the action live at www.fisu.tv

Irish Championships 2025

The COBRA members competing for Queen’s University Belfast had a very successful Irish Championships last weekend, bringing home two championship titles!

Molly Curry started the weekend strong by winning the intermediate 2x for the second time (previously winning this title back in 2022). Molly then went on to place 3rd in the senior 4x- and 4th in the senior 1x.

John Harte coxed the women’s novice 4x+ to victory on Saturday morning securing another irish title!
John also coxed the women’s club 8+ to a 5th place in the A final.

John and Fergus competed in the club 4+ together placing 9th in the TT going on to place 5th in the semi, unfortunately out of the qualifying spots for the final.

Well done to everyone it has been a very busy and successful season! Especially as these three athletes have graduated from their respective courses, it has been exciting to see the invaluable contributions they have made to QUB rowing, all the best for the future!

Henley Royal Regatta 2025 🥂🚣🏆

Massive well done to all our COBRA members involved in this year’s Henley Royal Regatta.

Firstly, massive congratulations to Rachel Bradley and her VIII+ from Newcastle University who competed in the Island Challenge Cup. Pre-qualifying for the event and being seeded through to Thursday goes to show just how admirably this crew has performed in the last two years to be thought of so highly by the stewards of this prestigious event.
The crew convincingly won against strong boats from St Andrews and Oxford Universities on Thursday and Friday respectively. On Saturday they faced Oxford Brookes ‘A’, last year’s victors. After a rapid start, Newcastle were out in front with Oxford Brookes hot on their tail, the crews battled neck and neck right to the line with Newcastle coming out on top by a foot, progressing to Sunday’s final for the second year in a row!
In the midst of sun and showers, Sunday’s final began at 15:20 against Rutgers University A, a strong crew coming from the USA with something to prove. Although Rutgers came away with the win, we couldn’t be prouder of Rachel and her crew, 2 x Henley Royal finalists, and BUCS gold medallists.
This HRR marks the end of Rachel’s time at Newcastle University where she has certainly left her mark in the club’s history. COBRA wish her all the best as she embarks on a new stage of her career, as this definitely won’t be the last time we see her on the Henley course. 💙

Another special mention of an outstanding performance goes to Graham Hunter, who is a valuable part of the men’s coaching team and Club Captain at Vesta Rowing club. Vesta made history on Friday at qualifiers. They not only pre-qualified their Wyfold IV but also qualified their ‘A’, ‘B’ and ‘C’ VIII+ in the Thames Challenge Cup.

Also well done to Kirsty Dalzell and crew in the Nottingham University ‘B’ VIII+ who fought for a spot in the Island Challenge Cup but unfortunately didn’t qualify for side by side racing.

This marks the end of the British Rowing calendar but look out for COBRA members competing over the summer in the Irish Championships and on the international stage.

Photo creds 📸: Sport Focussed

Congratulations to Molly, Rachel, Kirsty and John - once again displaying fantastic performances down the Henley Women’s Regatta track this weekend.

All 4 COBRA members convincingly qualified with their crews during the time trials on Friday morning.

On Friday afternoon Rachel’s Championship VIII+ defeated Edinburgh University ‘A’ in the heats. John’s development IV+ drew Oxford Brookes and unfortunately missed out on the quarter finals.

Molly started off Saturday’s racing with a confident win in the heats, progressing her to Sunday’s semi final.
Kirsty’s Academic VIII+ fought with Bath University ‘A’ in the heats but unfortunately were knocked out in this round.
Rachel’s VIII+ drew the eventual winners of the championship category, a composite crew of Leander, University of London and Durham University in the quarter finals, only missing out on a spot in the semi by 1.5 lengths.

Finally, on Sunday Molly faced Olympian Imogen Grant in the semi of the Championship singles. After an excellent race by both scullers in a tough headwind, Imogen came away with the win, later to win the category that evening.

Well done to everyone competing but special thanks to COBRA members, parents and coaches who travelled from near and far to support our Coleraine rowers❤️

Now here’s a blast from the past!

A snippet from the CAI Magazine in 1990 showing the rib that we still use to this day Coleraine GS Rowing Club. Remarkable to think this little boat is over 35 years old and still going strong!

Credit to Ronnie Gamble from ‘On The Bann’ for the article.

London Metropolitan Regatta 2025

COBRA members Rachel Bradley, Molly Curry, Kirsty Dalzell and Fergus Bryce all competed for their respective universities at Eton Dorney last weekend! Full results below:

Saturday
Rachel Bradley
W Ch VIII+ - 1st B final
O Ch VIII+ - 1st L final

Molly Curry
W Ch 1x - 3rd
W Ch 2x - 7th

Sunday
Kirsty Dalzell
W Ch 4x - 5th

Molly Curry
W Ch 1x - 1st B final

Rachel Bradley
W Ch VIII+ - 6th

Fergus Bryce
Op u23 1x - 4th in TT

Queen's Rowing
Newcastle University Boat Club