GETTING STARTED IN DRAGON BOAT | DieselFish Dragon Boat Team | San Jose/Peninsula/San Francisco

 Personalized coaching helps newbies thrive

“Straighten your bottom arm more,” said Coach Marynka.

“Like this?” asked the newbie.

“Yes, you’ll get more reach.”

And it worked! The newbie’s stroke got longer AND stronger.

This breakthrough was the result of personalized coaching.

The best way to learn how to paddle is to have your coach watch you and provide a thoughtful analysis.

DieselFish knows that dragon boat athletes are made—not born. Well give you the coaching, time and patience you need.

> Email me now at DFcaptains@gmail.com for free lessons in Redwood City. We welcome newcomers.

-Alex, the Minister of Newbie Happiness 

Copyright DieselFish Dragon Boat Team. All rights reserved.

STRENGTH IN NUMBERS | DieselFish Dragon Boat Team | San Jose/Peninsula/San Francisco

Dragon boat racing is all about teamwork

Take a look at this dragon boat… How much do you think it weighs?

Would you believe 700 pounds?

But...you wouldn’t know it based on this picture. Because you’re looking at teamwork in action. When people work together, they can achieve amazing things.

Like lifting and pushing a beast of a boat around like it was a feather.

Similarly, dragon boat racing is all about teamwork. Because the boats are intentionally heavy. The challenge is getting an entire crew to move as one.

When all the paddles hit the water at the same time, the boat jumps. It’s the greatest feeling in the world… All that power… All that speed. What a rush!

> Get stronger and meet new people—give dragon boat racing a try!  Email me now at DFcaptains@gmail.com for free dragon boat lessons in Redwood City.

-Alex, the Minister of Newbie Happiness

Copyright 2021 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.

FINALLY… DRAGON BOAT RETURNS TO SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA | DieselFish Dragon Boat Team | San Jose/Peninsula/San Francisco

The San Francisco Bay Area dragon boat team is back on the water.

 

This past Saturday’s practice was one of the most important moments in DieselFish’s history.

Because the pandemic shut down dragon boat racing in most parts of the world. We didn’t know when or even if we would be allowed to resume paddling. This led to a painful hiatus that stretched on for almost a year and a half—the longest in our 20+ year history.

But everything changed last Saturday!

Health officials and the league gave us permission to resume paddling. So we gathered for the first time in ages.

And then the hugs, elbow bumps and back slaps started.

“I’m so glad to finally see you again!”

“I missed you.”

“Are we going to do any endurance drills?”

The team experienced an outpouring of joy and relief, the likes of which I’ve never seen before. (OK, maybe we got a little emotional after we won our last medal…)

Everyone showed up. We also rounded up a boat full of new recruits, too. This massive, enthusiastic turnout made me think:

“We’re not just back on the water. We’re better than ever.”

And with engagement and camaraderie levels so high, this season is going to rock.

Last Saturday was the beginning of a new chapter in DieselFish’s history. We invite you to join us as we paddle together toward an exciting future.

DieselFish is proud to resume free dragon boat lessons in Redwood City. Email me at DFcaptains@gmail.com now to reserve your seat. Fitness, adventures and high-fives with you!

-Alex, Your Minister of Newbie Happiness

Copyright 2021 DieselFish Dragon Boat Team. All rights reserved.

Hike It Out, Fishes | DieselFish Dragon Boat Team | San Jose/Peninsula/San Francisco

 The team explored the great outdoors—on foot for once.

DieselFish Dragon Boat Team is all about outdoor adventures. But what can we do during the ongoing pandemic? Luckily, our team manager, Brian “Wolverine” Le, came up with a solution. He organized a brisk hike around Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve, located near our home base of Redwood City.

The team got a vigorous and sweaty workout as they hiked the rugged and damp terrain. Along the way, they were treated with gorgeous scenery. The trail was studded with majestic redwoods that reached far into the blue-gray sky.

Brian organized the hike because he wanted to do some “COVID-safe team bonding and get in some cardio as well.” He added that it was “good to see the team again” after an extended hiatus caused by the pandemic. “We had a fun time hanging out together.”

According to Brian, the hike was such a success, he plans to organize more in the coming weeks. Watch this space for more pictures from future DieseFish hikes.

Great exercise and gorgeous views

➡ DieselFish is currently on hiatus. We’ll resume free lessons in Redwood City when health officials determine it’s safe. In the meantime, you can email me your questions at DFcaptains@gmail.com. Stay safe!

 - Alex, the Minister of Newbie Happiness 🐲

 Copyright 2021 DieselFish Dragon Boat Team. All rights reserved.

The Future of San Francisco Bay Area Dragon Boat Racing | DieselFish Dragon Boat Team | San Jose/Peninsula/San Francisco

 Here’s the latest news from the team’s holiday hangout—free lessons inbound in 2021

 

Having a social-distanced holiday party

 

Happy holidays from DieselFish Dragon Boat Team!

 

Here’s BIG NEWS from our holiday hangout:

• We will return to the water in 2021! We just have to wait for health officials to determine that it’s safe.

• Our customized Burnwater paddles are ready. These state of the art paddles feature custom DieselFish graphics so beautiful they’ll bring a tear to your eye.

• To get back in shape, we'll provide our members with online fitness classes.

The pandemic lockdown has been difficult. But we’re staying positive! We look forward to paddling together again.

 

We hope to see you in 2021 for more free dragon boat lessons on the wild seas of Redwood City.

 

→ DieselFish is currently on hiatus. We’ll resume free lessons in Redwood City when health officials determine it’s safe. In the meantime, you can email me your questions at DFcaptains@gmail.com. Stay safe!

- Alex, the Minister of Newbie Happiness 🐲

Copyright 2020 DieselFish Dragon Boat Team. All rights reserved. 

DieselFish Returns to the Water (Sort Of…) | DieselFish Dragon Boat Team

After an eternity, the team paddled out into the San Francisco Bay again--safely.

The past eight months of quarantine life haven’t been fun. DieselFish hasn’t been able to paddle dragon boats because of social distancing rules. The benches in the boats are spaced too close together. Lucky for us, Coach Marynka is a genius.

 

She figured out a way to get us back on the water. “I realized that we could paddle safely if practiced social distancing while on the water. Also, we came up with a safety plan.”

 

Marynka’s plan came to fruition on October 18. On that unseasonably warm morning, many members of the team and their family members gathered at Bair Island Aquatic Center (BIAC) for the first time in what seemed like an eternity. But before they could paddle, they needed to pass a rigorous health screening.

 

“We followed the latest safety precautions,” said Coach Marynka. “Everyone had to check their temperatures on the day of the event. Anyone with a fever or other symptoms would’ve been asked to cancel. We also made sure that the attendees hadn’t been exposed to anyone COVID positive. In addition, I required the attendees to wear masks at all times and maintain social distancing. Finally, we made sure to disinfect the equipment when done.”

 

This safety plan put the attendees at ease. “I felt absolutely safe,” said DieselFish member Chris Stevenson. “Everyone was masked (on land) and socially distanced and the equipment was clean and was cleaned again after we used it.”

 

Once the safety checks were completed, the team rented stand-up paddle boards and kayaks and then hit the water with a vengeance.

 

DieselFish team manager Brian "Wolverine" Le noted that paddling with the team in separate water craft was “different but fun”. “I’m used to paddling in the same boat with my teammates,” he added.

 

Everyone had fun at the event. According to Stevenson, “It's always great to get out on the water, but this event had the extra benefits of being socially distanced and accessible to my entire family. Plus, we saw some seals!”

 

Le said he enjoyed the event because it allowed him to “see my friends.” He also got to introduce a friend to paddling. “Spending time with friends and showing them something they’ve never done made for some fun memories.”

 

Looking back on the event, Coach Marynka was pleased with the results. “It felt so good to be back on the water again. I really missed the exercise and being back at BIAC. But more importantly, I missed hanging out with my friends and teammates. It’s been too long since we’ve seen each other in person,” she said.

Brian takes a big stroke

Chris had a fun time with his family

➡ DieselFish is currently on hiatus. We’ll resume free lessons in Redwood City when health officials determine it’s safe. In the meantime, you can email me your questions at DFcaptains@gmail.com. Stay safe!

 

- Alex, the Minister of Newbie Happiness 🐲

 

Copyright 2020 DieselFish Dragon Boat Team. All rights reserved.