DUMPLING MADNESS | DieselFish Dragon Boat Team | Serving San Jose, Peninsula, San Francisco

 A small restaurant is confronted by big appetites!

 

Do you think we ordered enough dumplings?

🐲: We don’t have a reservation.

👨: OK. How many people?

🐲: 12 people.

👨: … OH. Maybe we can move some chairs and tables around.

Going out to eat after practice is a DieselFish tradition. It’s a great way to meet new friends, talk about paddling, and freak out people that own tiny dumpling restaurants. 🥟

→ DieselFish offers free dragon boat lessons in Redwood City. Email me now at DFcaptains@gmail.com for details. Friends, fitness and food with you!

-Alex, The Minister of Newbie Happiness 🐲

📸: Brian Wolverine

Copyright DieselFish Dragon Boat Team. All rights reserved.

 

BIG SMILES | DieselFish Dragon Boat Team | San Jose/Peninsula/San Francisco

 Can you guess why these people are smiling?

They just had a heart-pumping, core-busting, adrenaline-surging dragon boat workout!

Everyone knows that exercising will make you fit and strong. But there are other benefits as well.

Studies show that working out will:

• lower your stress levels
• reduce your feelings of loneliness
• relieve your anxiety

No wonder these people are smiling ear-to-ear. They feel strong, energized and ready to take on the world.

Dragon boat racing with DieselFish is the BEST way to harness this feeling.

Because going to a sweaty gym is boring, isn't it? You get on a treadmill, and run and run and run…

Without going anywhere. Or interacting with anyone. How boring!

But if you race with DieselFish, you’ll work up a sweat in the great outdoors with a friendly group of people. You’ll get stronger, see new sights and meet new friends.

And then, the edges of the mouth will curl up. You’ll feel amazing. Then, you’ll understand what I’ve been talking about.

→ Email me now at DFcaptains@gmail.com for free dragon boat lessons in Redwood City. It's time to feel amazing!

-Alex, the Minister of Newbie Happiness 🐲

📸: Coach Marynka

Copyright DieselFish Dragon Boat Team. All rights reserved.

BURST OF ENERGY | DieselFish Dragon Boat Team | San Jose/Peninsula/San Francisco

Jumpstart your weekend with a DieselFish workout

Hey San Jose! Hello San Francisco! What's up, Peninsula! Are your weekends weak? Do your Saturdays suck?

Fret no more!

You just need start your morning with a dose of adrenaline. And some outdoor adventures.

All DieselFish practices begin with exercises that will get your heart pumping.

Then, you’ll paddle out with us for adventures on the high seas of Redwood City.

You’ll feel energized and ready to take on the world!

> DieselFish offers free dragon boat lessons in Redwood City on Saturdays. Email me at DFcaptains@gmail.com for details.

-Alex, the Minister of Newbie Happiness 🐲

Copyright DieselFish Dragon Boat Team. All rights reserved.

NAILING THE START | DieselFish Dragon Boat Team | San Jose/Peninsula/San Francisco

The San Francisco/San Jose dragon boat team is getting back to basics. This is the BEST time for newcomers to try dragon boat racing.

“OK, DieselFish. This is your first race start of the season. I know you haven’t done this in a long time…but give it everything you got! PADDLERS ARE YOU READY? ATTENTION! GO!” – Coach Marynka

DieselFish Dragon Boat Team was away from the water for a long time—over a year and a half due to the pandemic. We only recently were allowed to resume paddling. So we’re getting back to basics. Practices have focused on technique.

But at a recent practice, we shook off the cobwebs and tried our race start. How did it go?

Not bad! There’s definitely power. I see moments of tight synchronization. I’m impressed with the newbies in the boat that day. They seemed to have learned to our cadence fairly well.

Is this the greatest race start we’ve ever done? No. We got rusty during our prolonged hiatus.

But we’ll get better. Because we’re going to work on it. Soon, we’re going to get it RIGHT.

That means this is the BEST time for newcomers to try dragon boat racing. Right now, everyone—veterans and newbies alike—are receiving a thorough reintroduction on how to paddle the DieselFish way. We’ll provide you with the time, patience and personalized instruction you need.

Someday soon, we’re going nail our race start. Are you going to watch us from the shore? Or paddle with us to the finish line?

Email me now at DFcaptains@gmail.com for free lessons in Redwood City. We welcome newcomers.

-Alex, the Minister of Newbie Happiness

Copyright DieselFish Dragon Boat Team. All rights reserved.

GETTING STARTED IN DRAGON BOAT | DieselFish Dragon Boat Team | San Jose/Peninsula/San Francisco

 Personalized coaching helps newbies thrive

“Straighten your bottom arm more,” said Coach Marynka.

“Like this?” asked the newbie.

“Yes, you’ll get more reach.”

And it worked! The newbie’s stroke got longer AND stronger.

This breakthrough was the result of personalized coaching.

The best way to learn how to paddle is to have your coach watch you and provide a thoughtful analysis.

DieselFish knows that dragon boat athletes are made—not born. Well give you the coaching, time and patience you need.

> Email me now at DFcaptains@gmail.com for free lessons in Redwood City. We welcome newcomers.

-Alex, the Minister of Newbie Happiness 

Copyright DieselFish Dragon Boat Team. All rights reserved.

STRENGTH IN NUMBERS | DieselFish Dragon Boat Team | San Jose/Peninsula/San Francisco

Dragon boat racing is all about teamwork

Take a look at this dragon boat… How much do you think it weighs?

Would you believe 700 pounds?

But...you wouldn’t know it based on this picture. Because you’re looking at teamwork in action. When people work together, they can achieve amazing things.

Like lifting and pushing a beast of a boat around like it was a feather.

Similarly, dragon boat racing is all about teamwork. Because the boats are intentionally heavy. The challenge is getting an entire crew to move as one.

When all the paddles hit the water at the same time, the boat jumps. It’s the greatest feeling in the world… All that power… All that speed. What a rush!

> Get stronger and meet new people—give dragon boat racing a try!  Email me now at DFcaptains@gmail.com for free dragon boat lessons in Redwood City.

-Alex, the Minister of Newbie Happiness

Copyright 2021 DieselFish Dragon Boat Team. All rights reserved.

OUTDOOR ADVENTURES WITH THE DIESELFISH FAMILY | DieselFish Dragon Boat Team | San Jose/Peninsula/San Francisco

 The San Francisco Bay Area dragon boat team took another fun-filled vacation together

Whale watching with DieselFish

Last week, DieselFish Dragon Boat Team took a fun-filled daytrip to California’s central coast. The team visited Monterey, a sleepy former fishing town that offers world-class nature adventures.

Not surprisingly, the day began with a boat ride. But this one didn’t have paddles. It was a whale watching vessel. The team was treated to views of massive humpbacks as well as the rugged coastline.

Later, the team went to the Monterey Bay Aquarium for more sea life encounters. The famous science institution recently reopened its doors to visitors after a lengthy closure due to the pandemic. At the aquarium, the team saw all kinds of sea creatures—sharks, penguins, jellyfish. The team even got to take a picture with an (expired) orca. (Look in the background of the photo...)

The team ended their outing with a shared box of flakey treats from a Turkish bakery.

Trips like this are common for DieselFish. Because we’re not just a sports team. We’re a warm and friendly family. After our dragon boat workouts, we often meet up for meals, outdoors activities, and game nights. Our social calendar is just as exciting as our race schedule.

That’s why you should sign up for free dragon boat lessons with DieselFish. Adventures, fun times, and adrenaline-pumping races await you.

Fun times at the aquarium

Sharing a box of Turkish treats

➡ Email me now at DFcaptains@gmail.com for free lessons in Redwood City.

-Alex, Your Minister of Newbie Happiness 🐲

Photos: Coach Marynka

Copyright 2021 DieselFish Dragon Boat Team. All rights reserved.

FINALLY… DRAGON BOAT RETURNS TO SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA | DieselFish Dragon Boat Team | San Jose/Peninsula/San Francisco

The San Francisco Bay Area dragon boat team is back on the water.

 

This past Saturday’s practice was one of the most important moments in DieselFish’s history.

Because the pandemic shut down dragon boat racing in most parts of the world. We didn’t know when or even if we would be allowed to resume paddling. This led to a painful hiatus that stretched on for almost a year and a half—the longest in our 20+ year history.

But everything changed last Saturday!

Health officials and the league gave us permission to resume paddling. So we gathered for the first time in ages.

And then the hugs, elbow bumps and back slaps started.

“I’m so glad to finally see you again!”

“I missed you.”

“Are we going to do any endurance drills?”

The team experienced an outpouring of joy and relief, the likes of which I’ve never seen before. (OK, maybe we got a little emotional after we won our last medal…)

Everyone showed up. We also rounded up a boat full of new recruits, too. This massive, enthusiastic turnout made me think:

“We’re not just back on the water. We’re better than ever.”

And with engagement and camaraderie levels so high, this season is going to rock.

Last Saturday was the beginning of a new chapter in DieselFish’s history. We invite you to join us as we paddle together toward an exciting future.

DieselFish is proud to resume free dragon boat lessons in Redwood City. Email me at DFcaptains@gmail.com now to reserve your seat. Fitness, adventures and high-fives with you!

-Alex, Your Minister of Newbie Happiness

Copyright 2021 DieselFish Dragon Boat Team. All rights reserved.

Hike It Out, Fishes | DieselFish Dragon Boat Team | San Jose/Peninsula/San Francisco

 The team explored the great outdoors—on foot for once.

DieselFish Dragon Boat Team is all about outdoor adventures. But what can we do during the ongoing pandemic? Luckily, our team manager, Brian “Wolverine” Le, came up with a solution. He organized a brisk hike around Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve, located near our home base of Redwood City.

The team got a vigorous and sweaty workout as they hiked the rugged and damp terrain. Along the way, they were treated with gorgeous scenery. The trail was studded with majestic redwoods that reached far into the blue-gray sky.

Brian organized the hike because he wanted to do some “COVID-safe team bonding and get in some cardio as well.” He added that it was “good to see the team again” after an extended hiatus caused by the pandemic. “We had a fun time hanging out together.”

According to Brian, the hike was such a success, he plans to organize more in the coming weeks. Watch this space for more pictures from future DieseFish hikes.

Great exercise and gorgeous views

➡ DieselFish is currently on hiatus. We’ll resume free lessons in Redwood City when health officials determine it’s safe. In the meantime, you can email me your questions at DFcaptains@gmail.com. Stay safe!

 - Alex, the Minister of Newbie Happiness 🐲

 Copyright 2021 DieselFish Dragon Boat Team. All rights reserved.

The Future of San Francisco Bay Area Dragon Boat Racing | DieselFish Dragon Boat Team | San Jose/Peninsula/San Francisco

 Here’s the latest news from the team’s holiday hangout—free lessons inbound in 2021

 

Having a social-distanced holiday party

 

Happy holidays from DieselFish Dragon Boat Team!

 

Here’s BIG NEWS from our holiday hangout:

• We will return to the water in 2021! We just have to wait for health officials to determine that it’s safe.

• Our customized Burnwater paddles are ready. These state of the art paddles feature custom DieselFish graphics so beautiful they’ll bring a tear to your eye.

• To get back in shape, we'll provide our members with online fitness classes.

The pandemic lockdown has been difficult. But we’re staying positive! We look forward to paddling together again.

 

We hope to see you in 2021 for more free dragon boat lessons on the wild seas of Redwood City.

 

→ DieselFish is currently on hiatus. We’ll resume free lessons in Redwood City when health officials determine it’s safe. In the meantime, you can email me your questions at DFcaptains@gmail.com. Stay safe!

- Alex, the Minister of Newbie Happiness 🐲

Copyright 2020 DieselFish Dragon Boat Team. All rights reserved.