Last weekend, we traveled to Southern California to compete
in the LA County Dragon Boat Festival. Our time at the festival was filled with
moments of doubt, flashes of hope, and a massive swell of joy that made us lose
control of our bodies.
The competition was going to be tough. So we prepared by running
endless drills and hitting the weight room hard. But would this training be
enough?
We found out on race day. During our last heat, we took a
deep breath together:
INHALE. HOLD IT. EXHALE.
Then the horn blared and we exploded into action.
Time stood still as we paddled our hearts out. Every stroke
counted. Every gasp of air was needed. Every boat we passed was a small victory
that gave us hope. But were we fast enough to reach the winners’ podium?
We looked around as we crossed the finish line. The race was
too close to call. So we waited for the awards ceremony to discover our fate.
When the announcer called our name, our hearts skipped a
beat. We were so ecstatic, we kicked up our heels and danced onto the stage.
That wonderful moment was a release: the hard work and sacrifice were worth it.
Because at that moment, we became heroes. Our medals felt
solid and heavy. But the heft felt good, so we kept dancing.
➡ Experience the intensity,
excitement, and joy of dragon boat racing for yourself. Email me now at
DFcaptains@gmail.com for FREE lessons with DieselFish in Redwood City.
- Alex, the Minister of Newbie Happiness 🐲
Copyright 2026 DieselFish Dragon Boat Team. All rights reserved.
