News

Reminder about this great fundraising event happening on Friday! It should be a good nights craic

Irish Championships 2001

The 1st VIII+ competed in the Irish Junior Championships, finishing 5th. The 1st IV+ went one better and finished 4th in the J18 IV+ Championship final.

The 1st VIII+ competed at Henley Royal Regatta for the first time in five years, and became the first CAIBC crew to progress past the first round of the Princess Elizabeth Challenge Cup. They defeated Oundle School in the first round, before being defeated by the seeded Abingdon crew.

1st VIII+ - S. Feeney (bow), C. Campbell (2), C. Black (3), C. Stewart (4), C. Bradley (5), K. Martin (6), I. Giffin (7), C. Athanasiou (stk), R. Cochrane (coxswain).

1st IV+ - C. Bradley (bow), K. Martin (2), I. Giffin (3), C. Campbell (stk), R. Cochrane (coxswain)

[from the COBRA Archives]

This morning, COBRA Chairman Jamie Gibson presented Coleraine GSRC head coach Jeremy Johnston with two complete sets of Concept 2 oars. The donation, which included a full set of sculling oars and a full set of sweep oars, represents a nearly £5,000 investment by COBRA in the rowing club.

The Board would like to express its gratitude to all of our COBRA members, without whom this generous contribution would not have been possible.

Coleraine Grammar School
Coleraine Grammar Sport

A fantastic event for any of you that are brave enough to face up to a CrossFit workout! We all know how proud Darren would be of the whole sporting community pulling together for this event 💪🏻

Strong performances in less than favourable conditions. Well done all!

On Wednesday COBRA had the pleasure of hosting a belated reunion for the ‘72/’73 CAIBC crew, with a few extra crewmates from that era, along with their coach Sid Grey. Many hadn’t seen each other since leaving school. The ‘72/’73 crew were one of, if not the most successful crews from CAIBC. They won the Senior Schoolboy/Youth VIII+ and IV+ Championships of Ireland and represented Ireland in the Home International Regatta with the VIII+ coming 2nd and the IV+ winning.

The day started with a reception in the school boardroom followed by a tour of the school museum with Joe Cassells, which took everyone back 50 years. After lunch, the group toured the new boathouse, inspected the current fleet (comparing the modern carbon fibre boats to their wooden ones) and met some of the current athletes. The original ‘72/’73 official crew photograph (available on our website Archive page) was re-created, barring absentees.

Then came the burning question – did the nine of them feel willing, or able, to get back out in an eight? Colin Hunter, who has rarely been away from a boat over the 50 years was not in doubt. Especially as he was just back from the World Masters Championships where he won 3 events. Old Irish vests were donned and after a quick warmup on the ergometers, they hit the water.

The first strokes were rather wobbly but the old crew cohesion soon came back and what was to be a short trip to the Old Bridge soon got extended above it. The current coaches were impressed with how balanced and together the crew was, however the gasping of some members suggested it was best not to over do a good thing and they soon retired to their black-tie dinner to further their reminiscences.

Thanks to Joe Cassells and Jeremy Johnston for facilitating the reunion. Does anyone want to organise their reunion? Don’t wait 50 years – 10, 20, 30 or 40 would work too!

Thank you to all the coaches and parents for making another successful Coleraine Grammar School Rowing Club Awards Dinner possible.

It was great to see such a large turnout of COBRA members. Your continued support means a lot. Thank you!

Photos from last night rowing dinner. It was a fantastic evening showing rowing at Coleraine Grammar School

Another strong showing from COBRA members, we really appreciate your support

15 Year Reunion Row

Today we had the pleasure of hosting 3/4’s of famous crew from the past for a quick few km’s to blow off the cobwebs. Many of you will recognise the familiar faces of the 2009 Irish Championship silver medal winning quad. The last CAI crew to medal at the Irish Champs.

It was great to catch up and we hope you guys won’t be strangers at the boat house in future!

Congratulations to COBRA member Rachel Bradley on her most recent addition to the medal cabinet. Rachel is competing at Rose Regatta in Shanghai China where she and her Newcastle crew mates came away with the Gold medal!

Remarkable achievement Rachel, well done!

Newcastle University Boat Club