PUSH YOURSELF WITH THE DRAGON BOAT FITNESS CHALLENGE | DieselFish Dragon Boat Team | Serving San Jose, Peninsula, San Francisco

 How can benchmarking help you become a better athlete? Read on to find out.

Look how hard the DieselFish crew is working! They’re breathing hard. Sweating. Yanking the paddle like their lives depended on it. What they’re doing isn’t easy. But it’s essential. They’re benchmarking—and it’s going to make them better athletes.

You’re witnessing DieselFish’s first benchmarking session of the season. Periodically, we break out our PERG (Paddle Ergometer; a modified rowing machine) to test our mettle. Every team member gets one minute to paddle as HARD as they can. Our coaches watch and assess each members’ strength, speed, and technique.

The coaches identify areas that each member needs to work on. Then, they provide personalized instruction that helps us meet our needs.

Repeated benchmarking sessions throughout the season help us understand our progression. It feels terrific when you look at your PERG data and realize how much stronger and faster you’ve become. At that moment, you realize the struggle was worth it.

Have you used a PERG before? How does your dragon boat team benchmark performance?

→ We’ll offer FREE adventures for dragon boat beginners on 2/25, 3/4, and 3/11. Email Alex now at DFcaptains@gmail.com to get started.

- Alex, the Minister of Newbie Happiness 🐲

Copyright 2023 DieselFish Dragon Boat Team. All rights reserved.

YOU’RE MISSING OUT ON SUMMER | DieselFish Dragon Boat Team | Serving San Jose, Peninsula, San Francisco

If you’re still working out in a gym, you’re missing out on gorgeous weather and outdoor adventures.

Summer is finally here. The sun is warm. The days are long.

So why are you still exercising INSIDE your sweatbox of a gym?

NOW is the time to add some excitement to your workout by taking it outside.

When you sign up for a FREE dragon boat lesson with DieselFish, you’re not just getting a workout… You’re getting an outdoor sports adventure.

You’ll explore hidden waterways. You’ll feel the warm sun and ocean breeze. You’ll spot seals and hawks in their natural environment.

All while getting in a killer cardio and core workout.

The weather is just too gorgeous these days to stay trapped indoors.

→ Sign up NOW for your free dragon boat adventure with DieselFish! Email me now at DFcaptains@gmail.com to save your spot on the boat.

- Alex, the Minister of Newbie Happiness 🐲

Copyright 2022 DieselFish Dragon Boat Team. All rights reserved.

BIG SMILES | DieselFish Dragon Boat Team | San Jose/Peninsula/San Francisco

 Can you guess why these people are smiling?

They just had a heart-pumping, core-busting, adrenaline-surging dragon boat workout!

Everyone knows that exercising will make you fit and strong. But there are other benefits as well.

Studies show that working out will:

• lower your stress levels
• reduce your feelings of loneliness
• relieve your anxiety

No wonder these people are smiling ear-to-ear. They feel strong, energized and ready to take on the world.

Dragon boat racing with DieselFish is the BEST way to harness this feeling.

Because going to a sweaty gym is boring, isn't it? You get on a treadmill, and run and run and run…

Without going anywhere. Or interacting with anyone. How boring!

But if you race with DieselFish, you’ll work up a sweat in the great outdoors with a friendly group of people. You’ll get stronger, see new sights and meet new friends.

And then, the edges of the mouth will curl up. You’ll feel amazing. Then, you’ll understand what I’ve been talking about.

→ Email me now at DFcaptains@gmail.com for free dragon boat lessons in Redwood City. It's time to feel amazing!

-Alex, the Minister of Newbie Happiness 🐲

📸: Coach Marynka

Copyright DieselFish Dragon Boat Team. All rights reserved.

BURST OF ENERGY | DieselFish Dragon Boat Team | San Jose/Peninsula/San Francisco

Jumpstart your weekend with a DieselFish workout

Hey San Jose! Hello San Francisco! What's up, Peninsula! Are your weekends weak? Do your Saturdays suck?

Fret no more!

You just need start your morning with a dose of adrenaline. And some outdoor adventures.

All DieselFish practices begin with exercises that will get your heart pumping.

Then, you’ll paddle out with us for adventures on the high seas of Redwood City.

You’ll feel energized and ready to take on the world!

> DieselFish offers free dragon boat lessons in Redwood City on Saturdays. Email me at DFcaptains@gmail.com for details.

-Alex, the Minister of Newbie Happiness 🐲

Copyright DieselFish Dragon Boat Team. All rights reserved.

Burn Your Gym Membership and Grab a Paddle | DieselFish Dragon Boat Team

Going to the gym is boring... Dragon boat racing is an adventure.

It’s late January already!

Did you make a fitness-related New Year's resolution? How’s it going?

Odds are, you’re not going to the gym like you said you would. That’s perfectly natural.

Because going to the gym is b o r i n g. You get on the treadmill, and you start running and running—without actually going anywhere.

No wonder you’re not making progress. You’re not excited.

But your workouts don’t have to be boring. Try a free dragon boat lesson with DieselFish.

Dragon boat will change your life:
• You’ll feel powerful as you use ALL your muscles to pull the boat through the water.
• You’ll feel exhilarated as the ocean breeze whips through your hair.
• You’ll high five your new friends after you cross the finish line.

What a sensation! Once you start, you’ll never want to stop.

You can achieve your New Year’s fitness resolutions! But only if you’re excited and motivated.

Let us energize your life in 2020 with Dieselfish dragon boat workouts!

➡️ Email me now at DFcaptains@gmail.com for free lessons in Redwood City.

- Alex, the Minister of Newbie Happiness 🐲

Copyright 2020 DieselFish Dragon Boat Team. All rights reserved.

Growing Up and Delivering on Race Day | DieselFish Dragon Boat Day

The team's experience led to impressive results

This year’s Northern California International Dragon Boat Festival was shocking.

Because DieselFish finished two divisions higher than last year!

How did we make this breakthrough?

• Maintaining the rate set by our pace setters
• Keeping calm and focused in the boat
• Paddling stronger and longer

This festival was an important moment for us. Our results demonstrate that we’ve grown as paddlers. Now, more than ever, we’re working together as a team.

We’re going to cherish this experience and build on it next season. Let’s see how far we can go.

GO DIESEL!

➡️ Email me now at DFcaptains@gmail.com for free dragon boat lessons. You’ll get stronger, meet friendly people and take on a new challenge.

-Alex, the Minister of Newbie Happiness 🐲

We Got This, Fishies | DieselFish Dragon Boat Team

KIller workouts lead to better races

DieselFish is preparing for this year’s Northern California International Dragon Boat Festival.

That means lots of race drills at practice.

It’s exhausting to do back-to-back races, but exciting, too.

The drills help us figure out what we can do to improve our race program.

Is our start working? How many strokes per minute? What’s the best lineup?

We can’t wait for race day!

➡️ Email me now at DFcaptains@gmail.com for free dragon boat lessons. You’ll get stronger, take on new challenges and join our adventures.

-Alex, the Minister of Newbie Happiness 🐲

How Do You Make Paddling Breakthroughs? | DieselFish Dragon Boat Team

Everyone has room to improve. Tiny tweaks can lead to major breakthroughs.

“Alex, I want you to use your knees more,” said Akash.

“My knees?” I replied.

“Yeah. That’ll increase your power and reduce your excess body movements.”

“OK, here goes nothing,” I said. And you know what?

IT WORKED.

My strokes got stronger as soon as I engaged my knees.

This tiny change increased the power of my leg drive and prevented me from wriggling around.

WOW.

This breakthrough was the result of personalized coaching.

The best way to iron out the kinks in your technique is to have your coach watch you and provide a thoughtful analysis.

You just need to find a coach that will work with you one on one.

➡️ Email me now at DFcaptains@gmail.com for free lessons in Redwood City. We’ll give you the time, feedback and patience you need to become a powerful paddler.

-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 🐲

The BEST way to spend your Saturday | DieselFish Dragon Boat Team

The BEST way to spend your Saturday:

• A killer dragon boat workout 🛶

• Delicious Vietnamese food with your new friends 🍜

• Selfies with the coach 😀

You’ll feel energized all weekend! 💯

➡ Email me now at DFcaptains@gmail.com for free dragon boat lessons in Redwood City!

-Alex, your Minister of Newbie Happiness 🐲

Hold on to Summer with DieselFish Dragon Boat Team

Sunny weather and personalized instruction await you.

Labor Day has come and gone, but doesn’t it still feel like summer?

It’s still warm and sunny. That’s perfect dragon boat weather.

That means that DieselFish is still practicing in Redwood City every Saturday morning.

We’re hoping that you'll try a free lesson with us soon. Especially now that the pressure is off.

We just won medals at a major race in Oakland. Now that the big show is over, we’re going to change our focus from racing to a review of the basics.

That’s why this is a great time to try dragon boat racing. We now have beautiful weather and time for more personalized instruction.

We'll practice every Saturday through the holidays. After that, we'll go on hiatus until 2019. Don’t miss your boat!

➡ Email me now at DFcaptains@gmail.com for free dragon boat lessons in sunny Redwood City (“Climate Best by Government Test”). ✅

-Alex, your Minister of Newbie Happiness 🐲

Dragon Boat Success Stories: Ewa’s First Race

You never forget your first race with DieselFish! Ewa just rocked her first race at the Northern California International Dragon Boat Festival. Here’s what she had to say about it:

DF: How did the race go?

Ewa: it was amazing. We were neck to neck at the end, and the water was just splashing. My whole side of my arm is wet.

DF: What do you like about dragon boat?

Ewa: It can be really intense. You feel it as a team. I love it. That’s what I like most about it— it’s a team sport.

DF: What do you like about a DieselFish?

Ewa: The people are super nice. I’ve felt nothing but welcomed since I joined. Everyone’s been extremely helpful showing me how to [paddle].

I am a complete newbie. I’ve never done this before, so I couldn’t be more grateful to the current participants and having them show me the ropes.

DF: We’re really glad you joined up, Ewa. And congratulations on finishing your first race!

➡ If Ewa can do it, so can you! Email me now at DFcaptains@gmail.com for free dragon boat lessons in Redwood City. ✅

-Alex, the Minister of Newbie Happiness 🐲

BREAKING NEWS: DieselFish Dragon Boat Team Wins at NorCal Race

The team earned a medal at the big race

When you win a medal at NorCal, you get to do stuff like this

San Francisco Bay Area dragon boat team DieselFish paddled away with a silver medal at the Northern California International Dragon Boat Festival!

I’m so proud! Many of our crew members are brand new. This was their first race.

DIESEL! DIESEL! DIESEL!

➡ If we can do it, so can you! Email me now at DFcaptains@gmail.com for free lessons in Redwood City.

-Alex, the Minister of Newbie Happiness

The team shows off its hardware

The Adventure Begins | DieselFish Dragon Boat Team

The newbies get ready for their dragon boat adventure

Hi Newbies:

Congratulations on completing your first dragon boat adventure!

Did you feel powerful while pulling the boat through the water? Do you remember the wind whipping through your hair? There’s no sensation like it in the world.

The coach was impressed. Usually, newbies can’t make the boat surge through the water. That means this crew is special. I wonder what you’ll be able to do after you get some more experience…

We encourage you to attend more free practices on Saturdays from 10-noon in Redwood City. You’ll get fitter, take on a new challenge and meet new friends.

DieselFish enjoys working with newbies. We provide them with the support, patience and community they need.

We’ll have fun along the way, too. The teams always goes out to eat after practices and we have some more social events coming up.

I joined the team 10 years ago. I like the workouts, but I keep coming back year after year for the people. I met some of my closest friends through the team.

We offer three free sessions to newcomers. We hope you take advantage of every single one of them.

Contact me at DFcaptains@gmail.com for more free dragon boat lessons in Redwood City!

See you soon,

Alex, Your Minister of Newbie Happiness

Onwards to high adventure on the seas of Redwood City

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