Who: Pat Saldaña

Age: 37

Family: Parents, Bertha and Marcelo Saldaña

Occupation: Insurance adjuster and executive director and masters head coach for the Commencement Bay Rowing Club.

Adventures: Saldaña's heart beats to the rhythm of a four- or eight-oar sweeps crew. In addition to her work with the Commencement Bay Rowing Club, Saldaña rows with the masters sweeps team for Olympia Area Rowing. All this started seven years ago, when Saldaña discovered rowing in the San Francisco Bay area. Saldaña moved to Olympia in 1997 and discovered the masters rowing program at Olympia Area Rowing in 2000. Saldaña coached masters Learn-to-Sweep clinics in 2002, and she was the coach for the junior program in 2003. Saldaña now coaches for Commencement Bay and rows for Olympia Area Rowing.

How did you learn about Olympia Area Rowing? I took a sculling class in Sausalito, Calif., and I loved it. I moved up here for work, and one day the neighbor across the street had a newspaper that had a story about the program here.

So, what is your involvement with OAR now? This place is very special to me. People have been very supportive. I started my coaching career here, but now I'm strictly a rower in sweeps. Fours and eights.

Do you like coaching or rowing better? Both! I can't give up either one!

Are you building a career in rowing? There's not a lot of money in rowing. Being a claims adjustor still pays my mortgage. There are only so many jobs as a head coach, but there's no way I could survive.

What attracted you to rowing? For me, it was the teamwork -- to be out there with other people with other viewpoints but still working together as a team. Rowing hit my spark -- just being out there on the water.

How many hours a week do you spend coaching or rowing? It's probably about 20 hours, but it could be more.

How do you handle the pain of racing? When you're getting ready to race, you feel really strong, but usually by the 20th stroke, I'm wondering: "What the hell am I doing here?" The feeling of accomplishment is truly incredible -- especially if you come in first. Feeling the boat come together is a thrill, and it's inspiring.

You look like you're in great shape. Rowing is a great all-around exercise, and it's nonimpact. You work your arms, your legs, your back, your cardiovascular system. Before I started rowing, I was out of shape because I wasn't doing anything. I lost 50 pounds.

So, you don't worry about the South Beach Diet? (Laughter.) I don't worry about any of that stuff as long as I'm rowing.

How far do you row in a typical workout? We go out to Gull Harbor a lot, so about 6 to 8 miles.

So, is this a lifetime sport for you? It better be -- I really want it to be. This is not a short-term thing for me.

What would you say to an adult who wants to give rowing a shot? Definitely give it a try. Hopefully you will feel a passion for it. You meet a lot of great people. If you didn't compete in high school, you can do that now. Rowers in their 70s still compete and get medals.

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