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Rachel Bradley’s story to Henley Royal Regatta 2026 follows on from a very successful rowing career Coleraine G.S. (Rowing Ireland selection for the Junior Worlds) and continued at Newcastle University (including GB U23 Worlds selection). Whilst at Newcastle Rachel had several runs down the Henley course, famously claiming the accolade of the race of the regatta against Oxford Brookes (Island Trophy, student VIII+, semi-final) where the lead changed hands twice, to win by 1 foot. But a red box eluded her.

This year, Rachel has moved to Thames Rowing Club, arguably the leading London club. As a Selected crew, their first round against London ‘B’ was decided early and turned into a relaxed row over the course. The Thursday quarter final would be tougher – against the Selected Avon R.C. from New Zealand. But Thames finished a comfortable couple of lengths up.

Friday was again a rest day for this category – a chance for the parents and followers to dress down and enjoy the upper end of the course, where HRR formality gives way to a more fairground/BBQ atmosphere.

Saturday’s semi against Leander was nerve wracking even before it got underway as Leander had equipment problems on the way to the start and the race had to be postponed to the lunch interval. The delay didn’t put Thames off, nor did the fly past of the Dakota and Thames ‘A’ were able to hold a clear water lead to the finish despite Leander pushing to 38. What made the semis doubly satisfying was that Thames ‘B’ won the other semi – how easily must Rachel have slept that night!

Whilst no race is decided until you cross the finish line, Thames ‘A’ must have been confident they could beat their ‘B’ crew in the final. But they weren’t taking any chances, the ‘B’ crew was itself fast, so they went off the start at 44 compared to the ‘B’ crew’s 42 which gave them half a length’s lead by the end of the Island, which became a length by the Barrier. There would be no easing up in this race – with Rachel’s crew hitting 38 to finish 2 ½ lengths ahead of their clubmates.

We may have got sweaty hugs from Molly, but by the time parents and coaches got to the boat tent area, the whole crew had jumped (or been thrown) in to the Thames, so our blazers got soggy hugs from Rachel.

Hopefully these two HRR wins will inspire the current Coleraine G.S. Rowing Club athletes to emulate these two terrific alumni, who are sure to go on to many more wins.

Watch all Rachel’s HRR races here:
HenleyRoyalRegatta - YouTube

In the first of two reports of our alumni’s recent Henley Royal Regatta wins, we bring you Molly Curry’s story first (only because she won first – Rachel’s story will follow shortly).

After a year training with Durham University Boat Club, links with Molesey Boat Club had her travelling down on weekends to SW London to form a quad that performed well at early regattas.

Things were looking good for HRR: they would be racing at Club level and an intensive training week would double the number of outings they had been able to have since forming!

Being one of 8 Selected crews for their HRR event (which means you do not have to qualify) out of 35 entries (including from Norway, New Zealand and Australia) was a good start. Being Selected at HRR generally means your first round race will be against a crew that had to qualify. In fact Molesey’s first round, quarter and semi-finals were all clearly settled by Remenham and Molly was able to take the rate down to cruise over the finish line at a relaxed rate of 25 (it is considered unsporting to win by too much ….). Which is a mixed blessing – Molly’s crew hadn’t had a chance to test themselves at full power for the whole course (which is 112 metres longer than the standard 2k – Henley likes to be different!).

Friday was a rest day (if you call a 6:30am training outing a rest!) though it can just prolong the nerves (at least for the parents and coaches, if not the athletes, but HRR offers lots of distractions for the former).

The Sunday final was mid-morning, though the summer heat was already rising. Against the famous Leander, Molly took her crew off the start at 49 strokes per minute but despite this, their familiar lead by the end of the Island wasn’t there, they were level – this was going to be a tough one. Matching Leander’s rate but with far neater blade work, Molly’s crew had pulled ahead by half a length by the Barrier. Past Remenham, Leander held on to Molesey, but had to rate higher to do it – were Molesey holding back for a final push past the Enclosure? This was the part of the race they hadn’t had to do in the earlier rounds. Entering the Steward’s, Leander raised the rate to 38 in a last attempt. Buoyed by the Enclosure’s roar, Molesey matched that rate and pulled away to win by 2 lengths in a record 7:13.

Parents and past coaches alike were as over-joyed as the athletes – hugs from a sweaty Molly were in order even if you were in your COBRA blazer! Jeremy risked being thrown out of the Stewards’ by using his mobile to pass on the good news. Molly and her crew mates will be the first names on this inaugural Danesfield Challenge Cup – appropriately named after the nearby Danesfield House on the site of ancient Celtic female warriors! As stroke, Molly collected the trophy at the presentation (and there is even a picture of her with the champagne bottle to her lips!).

A fantastic week’s result from a fantastic athlete. All at Coleraine GS and COBRA who played a small part in your journey are proud of you.

All Molly’s rounds (Days 2, 3, 5 & 6) can be watched here: HenleyRoyalRegatta - YouTube

HISTORY MADE AT HENLEY ROYAL REGATTA!

A historic day for COBRA and Coleraine G.S. Rowing Club!

Congratulations to Molly Curry and Rachel Bradley, who have become the first Coleraine G.S. Rowing Club alumni to win at Henley Royal Regatta and the first COBRA members to claim victory at Henley in 14 years.

Molly was first to race this morning for Molesey Boat Club in the Danesfield Challenge Cup (Women’s Club 4x-), taking on the formidable Leander Club. In an outstanding performance, Molly’s crew controlled the race from the outset and crossed the line two lengths clear.

Rachel followed this afternoon for Thames Rowing Club in the Wargrave Challenge Cup (Women’s Club VIII+), racing against the Thames Rowing Club B crew. Rachel and her crew produced a superb performance to secure a memorable victory by an impressive two and a half lengths.

Winning at Henley Royal Regatta is one of the greatest achievements in our sport, and both ladies should be immensely proud of what they have accomplished.

Congratulations, Molly and Rachel - we are incredibly proud of you both!

A full Henley Royal Regatta report will follow.

Huge congratulations to COBRA members Molly Curry and Rachel Bradley on reaching their respective finals at Henley Royal Regatta!

Reaching a Henley final is an incredible achievement in itself, but we know both these ladies will be giving everything to finish the job in style tomorrow (race times to follow this evening).

The entire club is behind you and we’ll be following the racing closely. Wishing you both the very best of luck, we’re all cheering you on!

HENLEY WOMEN’S REGATTA 2026

Last weekend saw COBRA members Rachel Bradley and Molly Curry compete for Thames Rowing Club and Molesey Boat Club at Henley Women’s Regatta.

Molly’s time trial for the championship 4x was up first out of the two on Friday morning. The Molesey crew put out a strong row to gain qualification to the heats. They carried this impressive racing through the heat and quarter final - comfortably winning both. Unfortunately, the quad was knocked out by the eventual winners of the category in one of the closest races of the weekend, with only 0.8 seconds between both crews.

Rachel’s Thames VIII+ put out a very confident row in the time trial of the championship VIII+ category, placing 2nd, just 0.4s behind their Thames A crew. They held this quality racing through their heats and quarter final - winning against City of Cambridge and next Brown University. They ultimately faced the eventual winners of the competition in the semi on Sunday, just missing out on that final position.

Reaching semi-finals at Henley Women’s Regatta is no mean feat which makes it look very exciting going forward to next week at Henley Royal Regatta! Molly and Rachel’s crews have secured pre-qualification spots for The Danesfield Challenge Cup and the Wargrave Challenge Cup respectively.
All the best to both crews! You will have ongoing support from the river bank and from Coleraine!

If anyone else is competing at HRR please let us know via DM or email!

Congratulations to COBRA members John Harte and Stevie Edgar on strong performances at Cork regatta last weekend.

John collected a gold medal in the Men’s Division 2 8+ and also a bronze medal in the Men’s Division 2 4+

Stevie, while battling illness all weekend, managed 6th in the Division 2 8+ A Final, 2nd in the Division 1 4x- B Final and also 15th overall in the Division 1 2x.

Well done men, next stop is the Irish Champs.

Congratulations to COBRA member Molly Curry on her win in the Championship 4x- at Ratzeburger regatta in Germany this weekend!

BUCS Regatta 2026

Congratulations to COBRA members Fergus Bryce, Stevie Edgar, John Harte and Kirsty Dalzell, who displayed fantastic performances throughout BUCS Regatta last weekend competing for their respective universities. Well done all!
Full results found below:

Queen’s University Belfast:
Stevie Edgar
Op Int Lwt 4x - 🥈
Op Int 4x - 3rd B final
Ch Lwt 1x - 5th B final

Fergus Bryce
Op Int 2x - 🥈
Op Champ 4x - 🥈
Op Int VIII+ - 1st D Final
Op Int 2- - 2nd D Final

John Harte
Op Beg VIII+ - 🥈
Op Int VIII+ - 1st D Final

The University of Nottingham
Kirsty Dalzell
W Ch VIII+ - 6th A final

As always, we are looking forward to seeing what our COBRA members are getting up to over regatta season so please let us know when and where you will be racing!

Congratulations to COBRA members Molly Curry and Rachel Bradley on their performances at Wallingford Regatta this weekend.

Molly, racing for Molesey Boat Club, secured the win in the Women’s Championship 4x-, while Rachel, representing Thames Rowing Club, claimed bronze in the Women’s Challenge VIII+.

Fantastic results, well done ladies!

We are extremely grateful to Connor Campbell and CD Engineering Services for their generous donation of a new CoxBox to Coleraine GS Rowing Club.

This equipment will play a vital role in helping our crews train and race more effectively, while also providing an important safety tool for our coxswains.

As always, it’s already been put straight to use in training, with our first regatta of the season taking place on Saturday in Portadown.