SIGNS YOU’RE PADDLING BETTER | DieselFish Dragon Boat Team | San Jose, Peninsula, San Francisco Bay Area

 

This one goes out to all the dragon boat newbies! We see you. You’re showing up, listening to your coach, and giving it 100%. But when you’re new, it can be hard to believe you’re making progress (even if you’re getting positive feedback). That’s because progress shows up in small ways first. Here are signs that your paddling has improved.

You’re not stopping to rest

Remember when you started? You had to stop and catch your breath every two minutes. But now, you don’t need to rest because your cardio and strength have improved. You’re also using the correct technique. Now, you’re locked in, paddling in time, and powering the boat through the water.

You’re not fighting the boat anymore

CLANK! SPLASH! Your paddling used to be a contact sport. But everything is different now. No more accidental paddle smacks, no more surprise splashes. Those moments happened because your timing and technique weren’t great. But now, everything is smoother, cleaner, and more controlled. You’re moving with the boat instead of against it.

You’re pulling your paddle through cement

What a paradox. You’d think that executing the correct technique would make paddling feel effortless. But instead, it feels like you’re pulling your paddle through thick and heavy cement. That’s because you’re now fully burying your paddle into the water. You’re encountering water pressure, which provides resistance against your stroke. Here’s the good news. This resistance allows you to push more water and generate real power.

Your arms aren’t tired, but your legs and core are BURNING

You’ve finally mastered the hardest part of paddling: not using your arms. Instead, you’re propelling the boat by pushing off with your legs and rotating your core. Keep it up.

Congratulations, newbie. You’ve come a long way from those early, awkward days. You’re showing progress and we couldn’t be prouder.

→ Got dragon boat 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.

DELICIOUS DUANWU TREATS | DieselFish Dragon Boat Team | San Jose, Peninsula, San Francisco

Curious about dragon boat racing? Here’s some useful information about the Dragon Boat Festival and its traditional food. Read on to start YOUR dragon boat journey. [ONLY 5-second read] 

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.

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.

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.

LEARN DRAGON BOAT TERMS | DieselFish Dragon Boat Team | San Jose, Peninsula, San Francisco

Curious about dragon boat racing? Here’s some useful information about common terms used by dragon boat racers. Read on to start YOUR dragon boat journey. [ONLY 5-second read]

So, you’re interested in trying dragon boat racing. You’ve even done some research. But you’re confused about the terms you’ve read online. Dragon boat racers use lots of strange-sounding jargon. To complicate matters, terms can vary from region to region. Sometimes, even different teams based in the same city may use different terms. This can make understanding the sport challenging for newcomers. Don’t worry. We got you covered. Here are some common dragon boat terms used by most dragon boat teams in the San Francisco Bay Area.

In this article, we’re going to focus on basic commands used by coaches.

Paddles up: This command tells the paddlers to rotate into the ready position.

Take it away: This command tells the paddlers to start paddling.

Hold the boat: This command tells the paddlers to brake the boat by burying their paddles into the water.

Let it ride: This command tells the padders to stop paddling.

Brace the boat: This command is used to stabilize the boat when it’s not moving. The paddlers extend their paddles perpendicular to the boat with the paddle flat on the water’s surface.

Back paddle: This command tells the paddlers to move the boat in reverse by paddling backward.

These are some basic terms you’ll hear on a dragon boat. We hope these explanations provide you with a greater understanding of our sport. We’d be happy to teach you more terms.

→ 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 TO EXPECT AT YOUR FIRST DRAGON BOAT RACE | DieselFish Dragon Boat Team | San Jose, Peninsula, San Francisco Bay Area

>>> Curious about dragon boat racing? Here’s some useful information. Read on to start YOUR dragon boat journey. [ONLY 30-second read] <<<

Dragon boat races are fun, exciting, and challenging. They can also be intimidating and confusing for newcomers. Don’t worry. We got you covered. Here are the top questions we get from newbies before their first race.

Q: Why do I have to arrive so early?
A: YAAAWN. Dragon boat races start in the early hours of the morning. There’s a good reason for this tortu—I mean practice. Your team needs to set up its campsite and take care of administrative tasks before its first race heat.

Q: Do I need to bring my own paddle and PFD to the race?
A: No, the race organizers will provide paddles and PFDs. Find a paddle that’s in good shape. Years ago, a DieselFish member accidentally grabbed a broken loaner paddle. It had a loose grip that swiveled and hurt his race performance.

Q: How do I know when to race?
A: The race director will provide your coach and captain with a race grid. The grid indicates which race heats you’ll compete in and an approximate time for the heat. They’ll tell you when to move to the marshalling area.

Q: What’s the marshalling area?
A: The marshalling area is a staging site near the start line. It contains loaner PFDs and paddles as well as queues to load onto the boats.

Q: What if I get tired during the race?
A: DON’T STOP PADDLING. KEEP GOING. DON’T STOP PADDLING.

Q: What do I do when I’m not racing?
A: There’s a surprising amount of downtime. You’ll spend most of your time at your campsite. Some people pace around and make plans for the next race heat. Others sit around and chat, read, and snack. Whatever you do, have fun.

Q: What should I eat?
A: Eat something light that won’t slow you down. Aim for foods high in protein that’ll fuel performance and sustain energy. On race day, we snack on sandwich meats, jerky, hard-boiled eggs, and hummus. Stay away from greasy and heavy food truck fare. Also, make sure you drink lots of water to rehydrate.

We hope these answers bring you clarity, confidence, and calm. Now go crush it—race day is yours!

→ 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 2025 DieselFish Dragon Boat Team. All rights reserved.

WHEN AND WHERE CAN YOU DRAGON BOAT RACE? | DieselFish Dragon Boat Racing Team | San Jose, Peninsula, San Francisco

Ever wonder WHEN and WHERE you can dragon boat race? Here’s your quick and useful guide. [ONLY 5-second read]

In ancient China, dragon boat races were held as part of the Duanwu Festival, which occurs in late May or early June. But dragon boat racing has become a modern sport and gone global. These days, there’s a dragon boat race every weekend somewhere in the world.

From Hong Kong to San Francisco, you’ll find dragon boats surging down racecourses during the spring, summer, and fall months.

This is the dragon boat racing season. Expect warm weather, long days, and an exciting atmosphere.

So, if you want to try dragon boat racing or simply watch the competitions, now you know. You don’t have to wait for Duanwu for the action.

→ DieselFish is the San Francisco Bay Area’s most welcoming dragon boat team. Got questions? Email me now at DFcaptains@gmail.com. I’ll help you learn more.

- Alex, YOUR Minister of Newbie Happiness 🐲

Photo: Mitchell

Copyright 2025 DieselFish Dragon Boat Team. All rights reserved.

WHO SHOULD TRY DRAGON BOAT? | DieselFish Dragon Boat Racing Team | San Jose, Peninsula, San Francisco

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

You might wonder, “WHO should try dragon boat racing?” We’ve got your answer:

Everyone. Really! Dragon boat racing is for EVERYONE. Because the sport is so versatile.

Here’s why:

• Dragon boat racing is FUN: You’ll meet new people, build lasting friendships, and enjoy team social events.
• Dragon boat racing is CHALLENGING: You’ll build strength, endurance, and coordination in a fast-paced environment.
• Dragon boat racing is an ADVENTURE: You’ll explore hidden waterways, travel to faraway races, and experience the adrenaline-pumping thrill of racing.

So, no matter what you’re looking for—friends, fitness, or excitement—dragon boat racing has got you covered.

All that’s missing is YOU! Try it and you’ll see why so many people love this sport.

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

- Alex, the Minister of Newbie Happiness 🐲

Copyright 2025 DieselFish Dragon Boat Team. All rights reserved.

WHAT IS A DRAGON BOAT? | DieselFish Dragon Boat Racing Team | San Jose, Peninsula, San Francisco

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

Newbies always wonder, “WHAT is a dragon boat?” We have your answer:

A dragon boat is a massive racing canoe. During races, they’re adorned with dragon head and tail decorations.

Dragon boats seat a crew of 20 paddlers, a steersperson, and a drummer. There are also smaller boats that seat 10 paddlers. That’s a lot of people, right?

You see, the boats are large and heavy on purpose. Because the goal of dragon boat racing is synchronization. The paddlers need to stroke together in unison to propel the boat down the racecourse.

If everyone is paddling in time, this action feels effortless. The boat FLIES through the water…

…making you feel POWERFUL and ALIVE.

This feeling is amazing. You MUST try it.

→ 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 2025 DieselFish Dragon Boat Team. All rights reserved.