FRIENDSMAXXING | DieselFish Dragon Boat Team | San Jose, Peninsula, San Francisco Bay Area

Dragon boat racing is a great way to meet new friends. Read on to learn more. [ONLY 5-second read]

Would you like to meet new friends?

Start joining group activities, like dragon boat racing.

Dragon boat racing is an exciting water sport in which teams paddle massive canoes down racecourses.

When you start dragon boat racing, you’ll meet lots of people. Together, you’ll share adventures that will help you build bonds. You’ll have fun along the way, too.

DieselFish knows that you might find it intimidating to try a new activity with a group of strangers. So, we’ve cultivated a friendly atmosphere. You’ll feel warm, fuzzy, and welcomed.

→ Sounds good? Let’s get started. Email me now at DFcaptains@gmail.com to book a FREE dragon boat lesson in Redwood City.

- Alex, the Minister of Newbie Happiness 🐲

Copyright 2026 DieselFish Dragon Boat Team. All rights reserved.

WHAT IS A GUNWALE? | DieselFish Dragon Boat Team | San Jose, Peninsula, San Francisco

Curious about dragon boat racing? Here’s some useful information about the parts of the boat. Read on to start YOUR dragon boat journey. [ONLY 5-second read]

If you’re new to dragon boat racing, you might not understand this comic. That’s because dragon boat racers use lots of strange jargon. We got you covered. To help you get started, we’re going to explain a common term you’ll hear at dragon boat lessons.

Q: What is a gunwale?

A: A “gunwale” is the upper edge of a dragon boat’s side. This structure reinforces the hull and prevents water from washing into the boat.

Here’s the confusing part. It’s pronounced “gunnel.” Some dragon boat racers spell it that way, too. Both ways are acceptable.

When you sit in a dragon boat for the first time, your coach will tell you to make sure your hips touch the gunnel. This command ensures that weight of all the paddlers is evenly distributed throughout the boat.

→ DieselFish is the most welcoming dragon boat racing team in the San Francisco Bay Area. Got questions? Email me now at DFcaptains@gmail.com for answers and advice.

- Alex, the Minister of Newbie Happiness 🐲

Copyright 2026 DieselFish Dragon Boat Team. All rights reserved.

CAMPFIRES, CANOES, AND CHAOS | DieselFish Dragon Boat Team | San Jose, Peninsula, San Francisco Bay Area

The tide was too low. So we headed outdoors for a camping trip that we’ll never forget. [ONLY 5-second read]

What does DieselFish do when the tide gets too low to race dragon boats?

We head for the wilderness.

A few weeks ago, the team travelled to the South Fork of the American River for a camping trip.

This trip was packed with adventure, laughs, and even a bit of chaos:

First, we hiked hard and worked up a serious sweat.

Next, we camped under the massive, never-ending sky. After the sun set, the horizon came alive with tiny pinpricks of light. That’s when we spotted a shooting star. This serenity wouldn’t last, though. Later that night, we discovered that one of us snores REALLY loud.

Then came the highlight, a white-water rafting experience.

At first, we handled the waves, rocks, and drops like pros. EASY.

But then, BAM.

An unexpected hit sent one of us nearly flying out of the raft.

That’s the thing about DieselFish.

We don’t just paddle together. We chase adventure together…on and off the water.

→ Want to join our outdoor adventures? Email me now at DFcaptains@gmail.com for FREE dragon boat lessons in Redwood City.

- Alex, the Minister of Newbie Happiness 🐲

Pics: Debbie and Tommy

Copyright 2026 DieselFish Dragon Boat Team. All rights reserved.

HOBBIES? | DieselFish Dragon Boat Team | San Jose, Peninsula, San Francisco Bay Area

 

What hobbies are you into?

We’re obsessed with dragon boat racing.

After practice, we try to unwind by doing something completely different. But it’s hard because dragon boat racing is so much fun!

➡ Email me now at DFcaptains@gmail.com for free dragon boat lessons. No glue or assembly required.

- Alex, the Minister of Newbie Happiness 🐲

Copyright 2026 DieselFish Dragon Boat Team. All rights reserved.

THERE IS A WAY | DieselFish Dragon Boat Team | San Jose, Peninsula, San Francisco Bay Area

Sometimes the thing you’re looking for finds you. Read on to learn more. [ONLY 5-second read]

If you found this post, this might be exactly what you need right now…

There’s a way to spend more time outdoors.

There’s a way to meet new people.

There’s a way to get stronger, without it feeling like exercise.

It’s called dragon boat racing, a fun, exciting, and social water sport. Once you’re out on the water, you’ll find fresh air, fun friendships, and a full-body workout.

So, if something feels missing, you don’t have to keep searching for it. You’ll find it waiting for you in our boat.

And the best part? Getting started is easier than you think.

→ All you need to do is DM or email me now at DFcaptains@gmail.com for free dragon boat lessons in Redwood City.

- Alex, the Minister of Newbie Happiness 🐲

📸: Alex, Mitchell, Steve Hillebrand, Tanya Pourboire, Valerie

Copyright 2026 DieselFish Dragon Boat Team. All rights reserved.

NO GATEKEEPING—FREE DRAGON BOAT INFORMATION | DieselFish Dragon Boat Team | San Jose, Peninsula, San Francisco Bay Area

Here’s a compilation of the most useful questions and helpful answers about dragon boat racing. I hope this information helps you in your dragon boat journey. [ONLY 5-second read]

Dear Internet Friends,

Ever since I started the dragon boat education series of blog posts, you’ve flooded my inbox with questions. Fantastic! Because I love talking about this sport. I don’t want to gatekeep all this information, so I’ve compiled the most useful questions and answers for you in this post. I hope you find this information useful. Let me know if you have any more dragon boat questions.

Q: Do I need experience to join a dragon boat team?

A: No experience needed. We’ll teach you everything. Most of our teammates started with zero experience.

Q: What kind of fitness level do I need for dragon boat racing?

A: You don’t need to be in shape to start. You get in shape by showing up and putting in the work. Dragon boat racing will strengthen your whole body. It’s particularly good at working out your core muscles.

Q: Can I try dragon boat racing if I don’t know how to swim?

A: Yes. We wear life vests and paddle close to shore because your safety is a priority. A shocking number of talented paddlers can’t swim.

Q: Am I too old to try dragon boat racing?

A: No. some of the toughest dragon boat racers compete in the masters division, for people aged 40 and older. Old age and treachery will overcome youth and skill.

Q: Am I too small/big to try dragon boat racing?

A: No. Dragon boat racing embraces ALL body types. The boats have a tapered shape, so teams need all body types to fill the boat. That includes people with small bodies in the front and back, and big bodies in the middle.

Q: Do you paddle when it rains?

A: Yes, even when it rains. It’s a brisk, life-affirming experience.

Q: Is dragon boat racing expensive?

A: No. We provide FREE dragon boat racing lessons. We’ll even provide you with loaner paddles and life jackets.

→ DieselFish is the most welcoming dragon boat team in the Bay Area. DM or email me now at DFcaptains@gmail.com for more information about dragon boat racing.

- Alex, the Minister of Newbie Happiness 🐲

Copyright 2026 DieselFish Dragon Boat Team. All rights reserved.

THE SPORT BUILT FOR EVERY SHAPE AND SIZE | DieselFish Dragon Boat Team | San Jose, Peninsula, San Francisco Bay Area

Ever feel left out of a sport because your body doesn’t fit the mold? We’ve got a solution. Read on to learn about body diversity in dragon boat racing. [ONLY 5-second read]

Have you noticed that:

• Football players are always mountains of muscle?
• Runners are always lean and wiry?
• Basketball players are always towering giants?

Each sport favors specific physical attributes. That means if your body doesn’t fit the mold, you get left out. It’s not fair!

Everyone should be able to play a sport, regardless of their body type.

Luckily, there’s a sport that embraces ALL body types. It’s called dragon boat racing.

Dragon boat racing is a fun and exciting water sport in which crews paddle massive boats down racecourses. These boats are narrow in the front, wide in the middle, and narrow in the back.

This tapered shape means that a dragon boat team NEEDS:

• Short kings and queens to set the pace from the front
• Beefy boys and glamazons in the middle of the boat to provide power
• Featherweight phenoms that will keep calm and paddle strong in the back

This diversity of body types on a team means that dragon boat is for EVERYONE. No one gets left out here.

So if you’ve ever felt “not built” for a sport, good. You’re exactly what we need.

→ Email me now at DFcaptains@gmail.com for free dragon boat lessons in Redwood City.

- Alex, the Minister of Newbie Happiness 🐲

Copyright 2026 DieselFish Dragon Boat Team. All rights reserved.