CELEBRATING WITH KARAOKE | DieselFish Dragon Boat Team | San Jose, Peninsula, San Francisco Bay Area

 

Racing all day at the LA County Dragon Boat Festival left us exhausted and sore. But then, we discovered that we had won a medal. The news sent our spirits soaring. Suddenly, our exhaustion gave way to excitement. We needed to celebrate this achievement, so we decided to hit the town. How would we celebrate? Let’s just say we were ready to make some noise.

We decided to sing our hearts out. The lights dimmed as we entered the room. A smoke machine blanketed the room with a hazy mist. A laser projected a frantic light show onto the ceiling. The epic karaoke portion of our trip was about to start. We spent the next two hours belting out loud and enthusiastic renditions of our favorite pop songs. After all that training and racing, singing our favorite songs together felt fantastic. At that moment, there was no other place we wanted to be.

As the night ended, we turned off the sound system and looked at each other. Our shiny medals caught the light and glimmered like disco balls. We’ll never forget this race and the unforgettable night we spent singing, laughing, and celebrating together.

➡ Experience the fellowship, excitement, and joy of dragon boat racing for yourself. Email me now at DFcaptains@gmail.com for FREE lessons in Redwood City.

- Alex, the Minister of Newbie Happiness 🐲

Copyright 2026 DieselFish Dragon Boat Team. All rights reserved.

DANCING FOR JOY | DieselFish Dragon Boat Team | San Jose, Peninsula, San Francisco Bay Area

 

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.

LA County Dragon Boat Festival Victory | DieselFish Dragon Boat Team | San Jose, Peninsula, San Francisco Bay Area

DIESELFISH JUST MEDALED AT THE LA COUNTY DRAGON BOAT FESTIVAL! 🏅

DIESEL! DIESEL! DIESEL!

→ YOU can feel the thrill of racing and winning a medal, too! Just email me now at DFcaptains@gmail.com for free dragon boat lessons in Redwood City.

- Alex, the Minister of Newbie Happiness 🐲

📸: Sunny

Copyright 2026 DieselFish Dragon Boat Team. All rights reserved.

THE DRAGON BOAT RACE CHECKLIST | DieselFish Dragon Boat Team | San Jose, Peninsula, San Francisco Bay Area

·       How many of these dragon boat races have you competed in? Most paddlers top out at five.

• Boston Dragon Boat Festival
• CDBA College Cup Championship
• CDBA Regional Regatta
• CDBA Sprint Race 
• CDBA Youth Race 
• Concord Pacific Vancouver Dragon Boat Festival 
• Folsom Dragon Boat Festival 
• Halloween Howl 
• LA County Dragon Boat Festival 
• Long Beach Dragon Boat Festival 
• Nevada Dragon Boat Festival 
• Northern California International Dragon Boat Festival (Oakland) 
• Northern California International Dragon Boat Festival (Foster City) 
• Portland Rose Festival 
• Puerto Rico Dragon Boat Festival 
• Rose Festival Dragon Boat Race 
• San Diego International Dragon Boat Race 
• San Francisco International Dragon Boat Festival (Treasure Island) 

This isn’t just a checklist list. It’s our résumé. DieselFish has competed in all these races...and we’re just getting started. We have more competitions lined up for 2026 and beyond.

➡ So if you’re itching to compete again and recognize more than a few of these races, email me now at DFcaptains@gmail.com to learn how you can join our next adventure.

- Alex, the Minister of Newbie Happiness 🐲

Copyright 2025 DieselFish Dragon Boat Team. All rights reserved.

VICTORY AT FOLSOM | DieselFish Dragon Boat Racing Team | San Jose, Peninsula, San Francisco

 

DieselFish just medaled at the Folsom Dragon Boat Festival!

GO DF!

→ Want to join our race adventures? Email me now at DFcaptains@gmail.com for information.

- Alex, the Minister of Newbie Happiness 🐲

Photo: Chris

Copyright 2025 DieselFish Dragon Boat Team. All rights reserved.

DRAGON BOAT RACING IN PUERTO RICO: ADVENTURE IN PARADISE | DieselFish Dragon Boat Racing Team | San Jose, Peninsula, San Francisco

DieselFish just returned from the Puerto Rico Dragon Boat Festival. The team experienced excitement, adventure and even a tear-jerking moment. Read on to learn more. [ONLY TEN-SECOND READ]

DieselFish recently traveled to San Juan to compete in the Puerto Rico Dragon Boat Festival. There, we raced our hearts out and experienced the island’s scenery, culture, and food—along with a touching moment that made us tear up. Our teammate Anna took some photos that captured the excitement of the trip. Here’s what she had to say about our Puerto Rico adventure:

What was the vibe of the race—how was the energy, the competition, and the atmosphere?
A combination of hectic, focused, and chill party vibes.

Hectic because many of our heats were nearly back-to-back, so there wasn’t a lot of downtime.

Focused because the venue was small and didn’t have a lot of spectating space, so it made you focus on your own races.

And party vibes from the great music and tropical atmosphere! Lots of spontaneous dancing.

What was your favorite moment of the race?
One of the local para teams we raced against invited a young girl in a wheelchair named Melanie to join them in the boat in the final heat so she could experience a dragon boat race.

At the end of the race, we all gathered around and chanted her name as the organizers presented her with her own medal!

It was a beautiful and touching moment to witness and be a part of.

After you finished racing, did you get to do any sightseeing? What was the highlight?
One of the highlights was visiting the Casa BACARDÍ Distillery. It was really fun to learn about the history of BACARDÍ and the rum-making process, and we got to taste a special reserve rum that is only available at the distillery.

Would you recommend traveling for dragon boat races? Why?
Yes! I really enjoy traveling for races because they give me an excuse to travel, and I get to spend a lot of time bonding with my teammates while exploring new places. We always come back with fun memories!

→ DieselFish will travel for more races this season. In the meantime, try a FREE dragon boat lesson with us in Redwood City. Email me NOW at DFcaptains@gmail.com to start YOUR adventure.

- Alex, the Minister of Newbie Happiness 🐲

Photos: Anna

Copyright 2025 DieselFish Dragon Boat Team. All rights reserved.

DIESELFISH’S PORTLAND ADVENTURE: STRENGTH, FRIENDSHIP, AND JOY ON THE WILLAMETE | DieselFish Dragon Boat Team | Serving San Jose, Peninsula, San Francisco

>>> DieselFish’s trip to Portland was an adventure that we’ll never forget. Read on to learn more. (30 SECOND READ) <<<

DieselFish recently travelled to Portland to compete in the Rose Festival Dragon Boat Race. We had a blast racing, making new friends, and exploring the city.

We felt POWERFUL as we surged down the Willamette River. The festival uses Taiwan-style boats, which are MASSIVE compared to the slim Hong Kong-style boats we usually race. It took every ounce of strength, every desperate gasp of air, every powerful stroke to pull our boat down the racecourse. The experience left us feeling drained yet also strong and fast.

We felt LOVED as we made new friends. Our coaches invited guests from other teams to race with us. Together, we shared laughter, stories, and the joy of competition. Racing and hanging out with them created bonds that we’ll cherish forever.

We felt JOY as we explored the vibrant city of Portland together. We devoured delicious meals at famous restaurants, clinked glasses in celebration, and even conquered an escape room challenge together. Every moment was filled with fun and discovery.

Our trip to Portland was an unforgettable experience. We can’t wait to go back!

➡ Want to join our NEXT adventure? Email me now at DFcaptains@gmail.com for FREE dragon boat lessons in Redwood City.

- Alex, the Minister of Newbie Happiness 🐲

Copyright 2024 DieselFish Dragon Boat Team. All rights reserved.

 

DRAGON BOAT SUCCESS STORIES: HOW TO PADDLE LIKE A VETERAN—CHRIS AND ATG | DieselFish Dragon Boat Team | Serving San Jose, Peninsula, San Francisco

Veteran paddlers ATG and Chris finally raced with DieselFish in San Diego. There, the duo showed us their mettle and helped the team win the gold. Read on to find out how seasoned paddlers contribute to victories. Then, email Alex at DFcaptains@gmail.com to find out how you can join our racing adventures.

We live in an unpredictable world. Things don’t always go to plan. Alexander the Great (we call him “ATG”) and Chris joined DieselFish in 2019. But various circumstances (most notably a global pandemic) kept them from racing with us. Until recently…

 
On September 24, ATG and Chris cleared their busy schedules and travelled with DieselFish to compete in the San Diego International Dragon Boat Race. At this event, we finally got the chance to dash to finish line with these two veteran paddlers.
 
The duo’s experience and strength were needed during the event. In DieselFish’s second-round heat, a competitor’s boat smashed into us, a rare but unsettling occurrence. Despite the ensuing commotion, ATG and Chris showed maturity by maintaining focus and continuing to paddle with confidence. “The second race was pretty tough,” reflected ATG. “It was scary.”
 
Later, during the team’s hard-fought championship heat, ATG and Chris provided DieselFish with enough muscle and tenacity to pull slightly ahead of the field near the finish line. This performance helped DieselFish claim the gold and defeat the second-place boat by a mere fraction of a second. “That last race, the last heat, [was] super exciting,” Chris explained.
 
Congratulations, ATG and Chris! We’re thrilled we finally got the opportunity to race with you. Your experience and strength are invaluable. We can’t wait to race with you again.
 
→ If ATG and Chris can do it, so can YOU. DieselFish will offer FREE dragon boat lessons in Redwood City on 10/15, 10/22, and 10/29. Email me now at DFcaptains@gmail.com to join our racing adventures.
 
- Alex, the Minister of Newbie Happiness 🐲
 
Copyright 2022 DieselFish Dragon Boat Team. All rights reserved.

DRAGON BOAT SUCCESS STORIES: POKY’S FIRST RACE | DieselFish Dragon Boat Team | Serving San Jose, Peninsula, San Francisco

Poky, a recent addition to the team, experienced an important paddler rite of passage. Read on to find out what it’s like to race a dragon boat for the first time.

Poky joined DieselFish in April 2022. Since then, she’s become an important part of the team. We value her strength, positive attitude, and sense of humor. On September 24, Poky travelled with DieselFish to compete in the San Diego International Dragon Boat Race. At this event, she experienced an important rite of paddler passage: her first race.

“The race was really fun, and I was super excited,” Poky said. “I think my stomach ached a little bit when I was sitting in the boat. And then, once they started, I didn’t think about anything, and I just paddled and looked at everyone.”

Congratulations, Poky! You’ve made excellent progress. We can’t wait to see what comes next for you in your dragon boat journey. DieselFish will be there for you every step of the way.

→ If Poky can do it, so can YOU. DieselFish will offer FREE dragon boat lessons in Redwood City on 10/8, 10/15, and 10/22. Email me now at DFcaptains@gmail.com to reserve your seat.

- Alex, the Minister of Newbie Happiness 🐲

Copyright 2022 DieselFish Dragon Boat Team. All rights reserved.

DIESELFISH WINS GOLD AT SAN DIEGO INTERNATIONAL DRAGON BOAT RACE | DieselFish Dragon Boat Team | Serving San Jose, Peninsula, San Francisco

DieselFish pushed itself to its limit and won the gold at the San Diego International Dragon Boat Race. Read on to find out how you can start dragon boat racing.

San Jose/Peninsula/San Francisco dragon boat team DieselFish paddled away with the gold at the 2022 San Diego International Dragon Boat Race.

The team paddled a 10-person dragon boat in the 250-meter event. The crew included men and women. Half of the crew had only started paddling in April of 2022.

In the tense championship heat, DieselFish went head-to-head with three strong teams from across the country. DieselFish pushed itself to its limit and beat the second-place boat by a mere fraction of a second.

“It was a really close race, but DieselFish persevered for the gold,” stated Head Coach Marynka Rojas Gorgen.

This victory comes hot on the heels of DieselFish’s recent gold medal performance at the 2022 California Dragon Boat Association Regional Sprint Race in July. “This moment for the team feels great,” said Alex Ling, the team’s captain. “DieselFish has had a remarkable and winning season. Our rookies have advanced way faster than I thought possible. I think this growth pushed our veterans to paddle even harder. I can’t wait to see what we’ll be capable of next season.”

→ If we can do it, so can YOU. DieselFish will offer FREE dragon boat lessons in Redwood City on 10/1, 10/8 and 10/15. Email me now at DFcaptains@gmail.com for information.

- Alex, the Minister of Newbie Happiness 🐲

Copyright 2022 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.

Give the Drummer Some! | DieselFish Dragon Boat Team

You have to be strong and confident to drum in a dragon boat race.

Photo: Ed Nguyen Photography

Look at Angeline! She’s drumming her heart out in this race at last month’s Concord Pacific Dragon Boat Festival.

Look at the determination in her eyes! She’s scanning her boat for timing issues.

Also, do you see the way she’s pounding the drum? That steady beat keeps the crew in time.

Angeline is also belting out commands at the top of her lungs. She knows when the boat needs to speed up.

She’s whiteknuckle gripping the seat for her dear life. That means the boat is surging through the water. Angeline is getting heaved back and forth with each monster stroke.

What a wild ride! What a great performance!

You see, Angeline’s commanding presence helped our women’s team win a silver medal in that race. It shows you the importance of drummers.

Drummers act as the boat’s brains and COMMAND the crew with their voices.

DieselFish takes drumming seriously. Every season, we train select members to run the boat from the drummer’s perch.

The trainees learn how to fix timing issues. They also learn how to give the boat an extra burst of speed at just the right moment. The trainees also learn how to get into the crew’s collective conscious and push it in the right direction.

But more importantly, they learn how to lead with confidence.

“Teaching someone how to drum is rewarding, because you get to see that person blossom into a leader,” said Coach Marynka Rojas.

Coach Marynka also said, “We had two new drummers at the festival, Angeline and Bryan. We built up their confidence and that allowed them to control and motivate the boat.  I knew they had the ability to lead the boat. My job was to show them that they could do it.”

“Drumming helped me learn how to project my voice,” said Angeline. “I feel more confident, and I like that I am leading my team.”

“I was nervous about drumming my first race,” said Bryan. “But I felt better after I sat down on the seat. I remembered all my training and felt ready to compete.”

Bryan also said, “It’s interesting that I can help win a race by thinking. I have to read all the boats on the racecourse and issue commands.”

Bryan's drumming debut

It’s not easy becoming a drummer, but it’s worth the effort. Drummers lead the team to victory with their brains, voices and beats. They learn how to be strong and confident along the way, too.

Dragon boat racing is not just a sport. It’s a life-changing experience. You will become stronger in ways you never imagined. Contact me now at DFcaptains@gmail.com for free dragon boat lessons in Redwood City.

-Alex, the Minister of Newbie Happiness

D-Jae’s Favorite Vancouver Moments | DieselFish Dragon Boat Team

D-Jae had the time of his life at the Concord Pacific Dragon Boat Festival

DieselFish will never forget the thrills, triumphs and good times we had at this year’s race in Vancouver.

We’re proud that our women’s team pushed past some of the top teams in the world and won a silver medal.

Our time off the water was exciting, too. We hung out in one of the most vibrant and beautiful cities in the world.

Our teammate D-Jae served as our photographer. Here are some of his favorite moments from the trip.

The Venue

It was my first time traveling to another country for a competition. On the first race day, I walked to the race site and got so excited to see a competition this big in such a beautiful city.

Marshalling

When it’s time to marshal, the team gears up and heads to the dock. You get to see your competition while you’re walking over.

Paddle in hand, life jacket hooked on and snug, glove on my left hand (which made one hand darker than the other…).

This simple walk got my heart pumping and my adrenaline rushing. I thought, “Yes, I am one of the thousands of paddlers here about to compete for a top spot with my team.”

Richmond Night Market

I was so excited for the Richmond Night Market! There was so much good food and the market was so crowded, but man oh man, was it worth it. I got to bond with the team while enjoying delicious food and seeing booths selling different types of items and food.

The Food

Last but not least, THE FOOD! Everything I ate in Vancouver was so good! No complaints about anything I ate. The pictures speak for themselves! Sweet, salty, savory, spicy and even smelly (I ate some stinky tofu and durian at the night market). Some of the best food in the world is in Vancouver.

[MINISTER'S NOTE: D-Jae has paddled with DieselFish since 2017. When he isn't on the boat, he's streaming his gaming exploits at www.twitch.tv/djaemist.]

➡ You can race with us, too! You will get stronger, join a supportive community and maybe eat smelly foods with Djae. Email me now at DFcaptains@gmail.com for free dragon boat lessons in Redwood City.

-Alex, the Minister of Newbie Happiness

What Your Favorite Dragon Boat Race Says About You | DieselFish Dragon Boat Team

DieselFish’s captain psychoanalyzes you

Every race is different and has its own unique charms. Which race is your favorite?

CDBA Regional Regatta: You wore your medal to work the next day.

CDBA Sprint Race: You can’t wait to try all the new Red Bull flavors.

CDBA Youth Race: Your coach scolded you for trying to catch a Pokémon between hit drills.

CDBA College Cup Championship: You are not sure if you should study for the MCAT or intern at Facebook.

Nevada Dragon Boat Festival: You correct people that mispronounce “Tiësto”.

Halloween Howl: There’s a grapefruit IPA waiting for you back at the tent.

Portland Rose Festival: You feel bad about eating that cereal and carbohydrate concoction from Voodoo Doughnuts, but what the hell…

Boston Dragon Boat Festival: Wow, that guy from the Sam Adams commercials really works at the brewery!

Long Beach Dragon Boat Festival: You wear flip flops all the time.

San Francisco International Dragon Boat Festival (Treasure Island): You prepared for the race by spraying salt water in your eyes.

Concord Pacific Vancouver Dragon Boat Festival: Your timing box also served as your bridesmaids.

Northern California International Dragon Boat Festival (Lake Merritt): Your coworkers wonder how you lost your voice over the weekend.

Race with us! Email us at dfcaptains@gmail.com today for free dragon boat lessons!

Dragon Boat Success Stories — DieselFish Medals in Long Beach

DieselFish rallied together and won big 

Photo credits: Peter Lee, Marynka Rojas

San Francisco Bay Area dragon boat team DieselFish heads south every summer to compete in the Long Beach Dragon Boat Festival. The team looks forward to this festival all year long because it’s always filled with intense races and fun hangouts. This year’s trip was particularly memorable because the team experienced a breakthrough that helped it win a medal.

“This year’s trip was fun,” said veteran paddler and team treasurer Marynka Rojas. “Away races offer a great opportunity for bonding and getting to know our team members better as individuals.” According to team captain Ellen Reichert, team members bonded by “playing board games” between races. “We also spooned on the beach!” she added.

This friendly atmosphere helped DieselFish win a silver medal. “The team’s strong camaraderie and desire to succeed together made a big difference,” said Reichert. Rojas agreed with Reichert. “We raced pretty solidly because we paddled for each other,” Rojas said. “I paddled harder during our last race because I didn’t want to let my teammates down.”

This year’s Long Beach Dragon Boat Festival was an important moment for DieselFish. The team won a medal at a prestigious race. But more importantly, the crew achieved this victory by rallying together, a skill that will be invaluable as the next race draws near.

Dragon boat racing with DieselFish is the ultimate team sport! We will help you become stronger and faster. Email us at dfcaptains@gmail.com now for details!