Don’t Call It a Comeback…| DieselFish Dragon Boat Team

By Alex Ling

It’s a reunion

Akash first came to us a kid. Now he's back!

Nothing good gets away. Like Akash Singh, for example. He first came to DieselFish when he was a kid. Akash then took some time off to focus on school and work, but now he’s back. Almost by accident.

A chance encounter provided Akash the opportunity to reconnect with the team and the sport he loves. Now, Akash is back on the boat and better than ever. I spoke with him about his career in dragon boat and his thoughts about DieselFish.

DF: How did you get started in dragon boat?

AS: I was introduced to dragon boat racing by friends who were members of the Mountain View Dragon Boat team when I was in high school. I joined Mountain View Dragon Boat in 2008 and continued with them until early 2010

DF: Why did you start paddling with DieselFish?

AS: I graduated from high school and needed a new team. I started paddling with DieselFish because the scene was so young and most colleges were just in the phase of building a team, so I didn’t have an option for college. The adult teams seemed more interesting and competitive at the time.

DF: That’s when you initially joined DieselFish?

AS: Yes. I was one of the youngest people on the team.

Young Akash during his first stint with DieselFish

DF: You took some time off from paddling. What did you do during this period?

AS: During my time off, I focused on finishing my undergrad and wrapping up my graduate degree. I started my career shortly after graduating.

DF: How did you get back into paddling as an adult?

AS: It happened because of a coincidence…

I got back into paddling after finding out my friends Bryan and Conely were paddling with my old team. I was surprised and this gave me a reason to return. It’s great seeing them every week at practice.

Akash and his friends Bryan and Conely

DF: Is the experience of paddling on the dragon boat team different now that you are an adult?

AS: I find it’s just a change of pace due to experience. My time off from the sport gave me the chance to reflect. I missed paddling, and I began to think about what I would do if I returned to dragon boat.

DF: What do you like about the sport?

AS: I honestly enjoy the peaceful and relaxing atmosphere that comes from being a boat and paddling. Although the actual activity is physically demanding, just being on the water is a nice break from my normal schedule.

DF: What do you like about DieselFish?

AS: DieselFish for me has always been about enjoying the sport and the people you’re with. Races are a perfect example of this. People show up to compete but also enjoy their time together as a team.

DF: Thanks for sharing this! See you on the water!

AS: Sure!

You can begin your own dragon boat journey, too! You’ll get stronger, meet new friends and join a supportive community. Email me at dfcaptains@gmail.com for free dragon boat lessons in Redwood City!

Working Out ALL Your Muscles | DieselFish Dragon Boat Team

We turned and rotated the other cheek to get more power

We had a focused practice today because we had no choice.

Rain clouds loomed over the horizon and the tide was beating a quick retreat.

“Let’s get in the boat NOW,” said Coach Marynka.

As we paddled out, the air was fresh and clean. The water was warmer than we expected—no frozen pinky fingers today!

We brought the boat to a stop, and Marynka began her lesson about body positioning.

“Focus your weight on your outside cheek,” she said. “Try it.”

“You mean my face?” somebody innocently asked.

“Not that cheek,” somebody else responded. “Marynka means the cheeks below your waist.”

For the next 40 minutes, the crew of DieselFish DragonBoat Team twisted and swung around its hips and bottoms.

These contortions led to breakthroughs in speed and power. Soon, the boat was chugging along at brisk pace. “Wow,” joked Captain Alex. “Our butts are going to get so strong.”

“You’ve been working hard and the tide is going out. Let’s go home,” said Coach Marynka.

The boat docked. We disembarked and headed for the boathouse. Most of us were walking funny. Let’s call it strutting after a productive practice.

You can join DieselFish’s outdoor workouts! Email me at dfcaptains@gmail.com for free dragonboat lessons in Redwood City!

-Alex, the Minister of Newbies Happiness

The Best Feeling | DieselFish Dragon Boat Team

Overheard at dragon boat practice

“Dragon boat is all about timing. When everyone hits the water at the same time, the boat will glide.

Then, the fresh air will hit your face and blow through your hair.

You’ll feel alive and powerful. It’s the best feeling in the world.”

- Coach Marynka

You can join our sports adventures in the great outdoors, too! You'll get stronger, take on a new challenge and join a supportive community. Email me now at dfcaptains@gmail.com for free dragon boat lessons in Redwood City!

- Alex, the Minister of Newbie Happiness

Overheard at Lunch | DieselFish Dragon Boat Team

This is peak DieselFish!

“Coach worked us hard today!”  💪💪

“Did everyone order the roast beef?” 🥩 

“I can’t wait for the Vancouver Race!” 🛶

➡️    You can join the fun, food and fitness, too! Email me at dfcaptains@gmail.com now for free dragon boat lessons in Redwood City!

-Alex, the Minister of Newbie Happiness

DieselFish Dines Out at the Patio

The team will win gold in the freestyle buffet competition

Tonight, Silicon Valley dragon boat team DieselFish feasted on Filipino food at the Patio.

We enjoyed oxtail stew, sizzling fish and—our favorite—deep fried pork knuckles. 🐖

The pork dish was delicious. The meat was so tender it fell off the bone. The skin was crunchy like a potato chip. 🍖

Everyone had a great time tonight. It’s fun to share delicious food with your friends. 🍽

➡ You can join our workouts and foodie adventures, too! Email me now at dfcaptains@gmail.com for free dragonboat lessons. 🆓

- Alex, the Minister of Newbie Happiness

Too Much Garlic Rice | DieselFish Dragon Boat Team

It seemed like a great idea at the time

Tonight, Silicon Valley dragon boat team DieselFish feasted on Filipino food at the Patio.

I guess we ordered too much garlic rice...

Aside from the carb overload, everyone had a great time. It’s fun to share delicious food with your friends. 

➡ You can join our workouts and foodie adventures, too! Email me now at dfcaptains@gmail.com for free dragonboat lessons. 🆓

- Alex, the Minister of Newbie Happiness

My Perfect Day | DieselFish Dragon Boat Team

DieselFish’s Minister of Newbie Happiness describes his perfect Saturday.

By Alex Ling

It's Alex's perfect day, so he gets to supply his own photo.

9:30 AM: I never sleep in on Saturdays because I don’t like wasting my mornings. I need to get out of bed and do something. Today, I’m psyched because I get to paddle with my dragon boat buddies.

9:45 AM: I arrive at DieselFish's practice site in Redwood City. I live nearby and there’s no traffic, so it only takes me 15 minutes to get there. DieselFish is a Silicon Valley team—we service the South Bay and Peninsula.

I walk through the gate, and it feels like home. I’m instantly greeted by my teammates. We kill time by talking about random stuff—our Friday night adventures, new restaurants and our favorite episodes of “Game of Thrones”. I love hanging out with these people.

10:00 AM: Practice starts. A newbie has joined us for her first dragon boat practice! I’m the Minister of Newbie Happiness, so I get her loaner equipment and provide a quick lesson.

10:30 AM: We are on the boat and paddling hard!

The newbie is doing OK. I show her how to improve her form. I'm not a drill sergeant. I never yell at the newbies, because paddling should be fun. Instead, I offer lots of encouragement.

10:40 AM: I spot a seal! We see lots of critters while we’re paddling. A while ago, we saw a shark!

It feels amazing to be outside on a day like this. The sun is out, but it’s not blazing hot. The water looks as smooth and shiny as glass. A slight breeze blows through the air and my hair. You can’t get experiences like this when you work out in a sweaty gym.

11:00 AM: The crew is dead quiet and on edge, because we’re about to practice a race piece.

“GO!” yells the coach.

The boat begins to chug through the water, gaining power with every stroke.

“UP! UP! UP!” we yell. We shorten our strokes to quicken our pace.

Every stroke feels heavy. Each gasp of air isn’t enough….

We finally reach the finish line. I’m exhausted, but I feel great.

I’m proud because no one in the crew dropped out to rest—not even the newbie. Moments like this make me proud to be a DieselFish. We worked hard together and overcame a difficult challenge. That is what dragon boat is all about.

 

12:00 PM: IT’S LUNCH TIME. This is my favorite part of the DieselFish experience. We head over to Zadna, a casual Mediterranean restaurant in Redwood City.

I order the lamb shawarma, which is always tender and flavorful.

The table eats slowly and talks excitedly about a variety of topics. Some of us are playing the new Destiny video game. Many of us are going to see the new “Star Wars” movie tonight. A few of us talk about the new tax bill that was passed.

1:30 PM: I head home for a warm shower and short nap.

2:00 PM: I think about my day, and realize how lucky I am. Then, I start writing a blog post about my perfect day. Sometimes, the posts write themselves.

Saturday mornings with DieselFish are filled with fitness, food and friends. Email me at dfcaptains@gmail.com for free dragon boat lessons in Redwood City!