Age: 65

Occupation: Attorney

Family: Wife, Joan, and two daughters

Adventures: Cullen tries to row four or five times a week -- or more -- but he hasn't always been so dedicated to the sport. Cullen rowed at the U.S. Naval Academy, but gave up the sport for years. Cullen bicycled, ran marathons and competed in triathlons. Cullen's wife, Joan, also is an avid athlete. Cullen rediscovered rowing a few years ago and become fascinated with the concentration and skills that rowing demands. Cullen also took a leadership role in Olympia Area Rowing and helped bring about the construction of a large boathouse near Swantown Marina.

How long have you been rowing? Probably four to five years -- I think I started in 2000. I rowed in college from 1958 to 1962. In between, I didn't row, except once.

Why didn't you row during those years? There wasn't an opportunity, and we were doing other stuff: cycling, marathons, triathlons. We did some huge rides and descended into levels of insanity we'd never explored before (laughter).

How did you get back in the shell? I head about the OAR group and took a sculling class. I got pretty interested, and I wanted to get better at it. I just started rowing all the time.

What kind of rowing do you prefer? I'm usually a single sculler.

How often do you get out on the water? I try to get out four or five times a week. Sometimes, I get out six or seven times a week. Some weeks there is bad weather or bad scheduling and I don't make it out as often. It's really fun to do.

When do you row? I row in the morning. Flat water is better, and it's easier to fit in. My office is close enough so I can row at noon.

What do you like about rowing? There are a lot of elements to it. It's not easy. It's outside. It's a challenge. It can be difficult physically. It takes concentration. I like the concentration and intensity.

Do you think the new OAR boathouse will get even more local people into rowing? I think it already has. It's already given us a presence. It provides us with quarters, and a focus point. It also makes it easier to row; it's close to the water and gives people a place to store boats. Being close to the water is important because working in the time to go rowing can be a bit of a challenge for a lot of people.

Do you see rowing as a lifetime sport? I've always done something. I've always arranged my schedule so I could be physical most of the time. Rowing is a great activity, and I'll do it as long as I can.

To learn more about Olympia Area Rowing, visit www.olympiaarearowing.org.
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