Youth Coaches
Race Team Coaches
Head Coach Joe Sullivan
With over 35 years of dedicated involvement in rowing, Joe Sullivan brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record of success to our team. His began rowing at Monsignor Bonner High School in 1978, followed by a standout collegiate career at Temple University, where he placed first at the competitive Dad Vail regatta in Temple’s Men’s Varsity Heavyweight 8+ in 1983. After college, Joe continued to excel on the water, rowing year-round for Vesper Boat Club’s lightweight team. While at Vesper he clinched multiple USRowing National Championships, and gold medals at the prestigious Royal Canadian Henley Regatta.
Joe’s coaching career began in 1984 with Harriton High School, where he quickly made his mark. In 1987, three of his four boats medaled at the SRAA Championships, with the Boys Varsity 4+ taking home gold. Since then, Joe has coached at various levels—from high school and junior clubs to college and masters teams—demonstrating his versatility across both sweep and sculling disciplines.
Throughout his coaching career, Joe has guided numerous crews to medal-winning performances in championship races. Notably, he has had 13 crews qualify for the USRowing Youth National Championships and has coached at least 14 rowers who have made the Junior National Team during their high school years. Many of his athletes have gone on to successful collegiate careers, with numerous scholarships awarded as a testament to Joe’s effective coaching and mentorship.
In addition to his competitive coaching, Joe has a passion for introducing rowing to new enthusiasts. He has successfully run Learn-to-Row programs for a diverse range of participants, from children as young as nine to adults in their 60s, 70s, and even 80s. Many of his students have continued their rowing journeys by joining clubs or high school teams, with several achieving their own success in racing.
Joe Sullivan’s extensive experience and commitment to the sport make him an invaluable asset to WBC. His leadership not only fosters competitive excellence but also inspires a lifelong love of rowing in all who train with him.
Program Manager & Coach Tim Hagan
Coach Margie Culbertson
Coach Margie has been a dedicated member of Whitemarsh Boat Club since 2008, where she has competed on the WBC Masters team for several years. Her rowing journey began in 1993 at Seattle Parks and Recreation, and she quickly transitioned to competitive rowing with various clubs in the Seattle area, including Green Lake, Lake Union, Lake Washington, and Seattle Pacific University. In 2006, she returned to the Philadelphia area, bringing with her a wealth of experience and passion for the sport.
Margie launched her coaching career in 2021 with the WBC Tech Team and has since advanced to an assistant coach role in the Youth Program, where she focuses on developing novice and JV girls. Her commitment to empowering young athletes is evident in her coaching style and dedication.
Margie is also a coach and volunteer for We Can Row Philadelphia, a transformative rowing program for breast cancer survivors, which operates out of WBC. Through her involvement, she not only fosters skill development but also supports the strength and resilience of those she coaches. Coach Margie’s extensive experience and compassionate approach make her an invaluable asset to our rowing community.
Coach Susan Hermann Seybolt
**SusanSusan began her rowing journey at the University of Texas in 1989, where she earned a B.S. in Kinesiology. After college, she shifted her focus to sculling, training and competing while also taking on various coaching roles throughout the greater Philadelphia area. Her passion for coaching spans all levels, having worked with high schools, universities, and clubs, including Vesper, the University of Pennsylvania, Episcopal Academy, Lower Merion High School, and Drexel University.
As head coach at Germantown Academy for 14 years, Susan made a significant impact, developing young athletes and fostering a love for the sport. For the past 15 years, she has dedicated her expertise to coaching juniors and masters at Whitemarsh Boat Club in Conshohocken, PA, where her leadership continues to inspire rowers of all ages.
An active member of the Philadelphia rowing community, Susan has volunteered as an organizing committee member for multiple regattas and has guided her teams to win numerous medals over the past 30 years. Her extensive experience and commitment to fostering talent make her an invaluable asset to the rowing community.