Masters Do it Better... | DieselFish Dragon Boat Team

…Because we’ve been around and learned a few tricks.

At long last, our medals finally arrived!

We won this hardware back in May at the California Dragon Boat Association’s Regional Regatta. The Regatta included a masters race. Masters races are for paddlers aged forty and up. No young whippersnappers allowed!

You might wonder what it’s like to race with a middle-aged boat…

Does the crew smell like Icy Hot?

Does AARP sponsor the race?

Are there ambulances on standby?

Actually, masters races are just as intense and exciting as standard dragon boat races. But there’s a difference!

Most of the masters have paddled for a long time. So there’s lots of experience in the boat.

On race day, we felt this difference as soon as our boat jumped out from the starting line.

Our powerful strokes yanked us through the water at a furious pace that generated a bubbly wake. That’s because every paddler was reaching and rotating like a pro.

Timing in the boat was spot on. Everyone in the boat knew how to stay in time.

As we neared the finish line, we found ourselves neck and neck with our enemies.

That’s when we got stubborn and applied even more power.

After a fierce battle, we ended up winning the bronze.

Not bad for a bunch of geezers. We do it better because we’ve been around the block and know what we’re doing.

Would you like to race with our masters crew? Email me now at DFcaptains@gmail.com for free dragon boat lessons in Redwood City.

- Alex, the Minister of Newbie Happiness

New Mind-Blowing Technique | DieselFish Dragon Boat Team

DieselFish provides a safe space for new experiences

“Today, we’re going to try something new,” said Coach Marynka.

“This new technique will increase our power AND prevent rushing. Are you ready?”

She was greeted by an uneasy silence.

“OK, let’s do it!” said Senta. His enthusiasm made us feel a bit better.

Coach Marynka then started the lesson…which blew our minds.

The new technique goes AGAINST everything we’ve done over the past 10 years!

That made learning the technique awkward at first. Some of the veterans struggled. It’s hard to break old habits.

But, under the coach’s watchful eye, we slowly got the hang of it. We then started seeing the benefits:

• Powerful and sustained surge that launched us through the water
• Better timing that made the paddling feel effortless

There’s still work to be done. But we are enthusiastic. And we have lots of time to iron out the kinks.

Today’s lesson goes to show that trying new things can be difficult. But the rewards can be great. You’ll never know until you try.

➡ Try dragon boat racing with DieselFish! Email me at DFcaptains@gmail.com now for free dragon boat lessons in Redwood City. We’ll give you the support, time and patience you need.

Free lessons will end in early December. Don’t miss your boat!

-Alex, the Minister of Newbie Happiness 🐲

Fun Times and Fast Races at NorCal

DieselFish Dragon Boat Team had a blast at the Northern California International Dragon Boat Festival!

Showing off our new uniforms

Conely and Angeline gave it everything they got!

We played Pictionary between races. Guess what the answer is?
(It's "Coach Marynka")

POWER 10! GO!

Upper management strategy session

Our newbies, Senta and D-Jae, paddled like pros. 

Q: Is it safe to eat sushi from a food truck? A: You first, Alex

Captain Alex swears the Hello Kitty sticker wasn't his idea. 

Team dinner at Shandong. Delicious dumplings and hand-pulled noodles.

Dragon boat racing is a fun way to shape up and meet newpeople. Email me at dfcaptains@gmail.com now for free lessons in Redwood City!

- Alex, the Minister of Newbie Happiness

Dragon Boat Success Stories: Senta’s First Race

Senta joined DieselFish to make new friends. He found that and so much more!

You never forget your first dragon boat race with DieselFish! Senta just rocked his first race at Lake Merced in San Francisco. Here’s what he had to say about it!

Q: You just finished your first race with Dieselish today. How do you feel? How as the race?

A: We did four races. I wasn’t expecting them to be so tiresome but fulfilling. So what you get out of it is there’s a team. It’s not one person doing something. It’s a bunch of 20 people doing something together in unison and actually winning. It feels good. So that type of a feeling…It’s something beautiful.

Q: Why did you join DieselFish?

A: I moved here recently and I was trying to make friends, and these are the best friends you can make…Once you join the team you are welcome. It’s always friendly and it’s always fun. So you enjoy exercise, the fun the activities, and building friendships. So I love it.

Congratulations, Senta!

Dragon boat racers are made, not born. We will work with you and show you how strong and fast you can be. Email me at dfcaptains@gmail.com today for free lessons!

- Alex, the Minister of Newbie Happiness

Dragon Boat Goal Setting | DieselFish Dragon Boat Team

The crew talks about their hopes and dreams for DieselFish’s 20^th Season

DieselFish’s 20th season began today!

Rene, Angeline and Senta got together after practice to talk about their goals for the season. Here’s what they had to say!

Goal setting is important at the beginning of the season, because it helps us focus on what is important. We will work together to meet these objectives and make the most of this milestone in the team's history.

THE LEGEND OF SEASON 20 BEGINS NOW!

Season 20 will be epic! You can join the adventure. Email me at dfcaptains@gmail.com today to reserve your seat!

- Alex, the Minister of Newbie Happiness