Happy Duanwu from DieselFish! If you’re new to dragon
boat racing, you might wonder, “What is Duanwu?” and “What is that triangle-shaped
thing in the comic?” Let us explain.
Duanwu is the Dragon Boat Festival, a major holiday in China. The modern sport of dragon boat racing traces its origins to Duanwu.
During Duanwu, people race dragon boats. The races are intense. The competitors give it their all as they dig their paddles deep, explode with raw power, and fight through burning muscles for glory and thrills. The races leave the athletes exhausted and famished. That’s when it’s time to eat.
The traditional food of Duanwu is zongzi. Zongzi are dumplings made of sticky rice. They are stuffed with mouthwatering treats that range from egg yolks to pork belly. The zongzi are wrapped in bamboo leaves, tied up, and steamed. As you can see in the comic, the wrapping process is difficult. If you wrap a zongzi too loosely or leave gaps in the leaves, the rice will spill out as it steams.
Here’s hoping your Duanwu is filled with fun, excitement, and delicious food.
→ DieselFish is best dragon boat racing team for newcomers 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.
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 🐲
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.
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.
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 🐲
