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 🐲

Regatta 2019: Fun and Thrills in San Francisco | DieselFish Dragon Boat

Our first race of the year was an important one

READY? GO!

DieselFishDragon Boat Team had a blast at this year’s CDBA Regatta.

Our two newest members, Lily and Bev, raced for first time. “It was really exciting,” said Bev. “Pure adrenaline.” Coach Marynka was pleased with our rookies. “Bev and Lily did great. They remembered everything we taught them and didn’t give up,” she said.

Our masters paddlers won the bronze. Masters races are for paddlers aged 40 and up. The teams in the final race were so evenly matched, the difference between silver and bronze was a mere fraction of a second. “Every stroke counted! Good thing everyone in our boat was experienced. They stayed calm and delivered power and timing,” said Coach Marynka.

After the race, we went to Banana Island. To celebrate our wins, the team feasted on Thai, Malaysian and Singaporean dishes including fiery rending beef, fluffy roti crepes and a whole fish steamed with ginger. “I booked this place because it’s one of my favorite restaurants,” said D-Jae as he powered through another helping of coconut fried race.

The regatta was an important race for us. The team broke in some new paddlers and received a healthy boost of confidence after our masters race victory. We also had fun times hanging out under the tent and at the restaurant. We can’t wait for our next race in Vancouver!

You can join our race adventures, too! Email me now at DFcaptains@gmail.com for free dragon boat lessons on Redwood City. You’ll feel thrills, laughs and the occasional burn of a chili pepper.

-Alex, the Minister of Newbie Happiness

DieselFish 2019

Good friends Angeline and Kathy joke around

Fun times under the tent

Our masters crew won a bronze

Chow down, Fishies!

Even Better Than a Medal | DieselFish Dragon Boat Team

 I shared one of the most important moments in my life with my team

“Coach, we’re going to have to cancel practice on that date.”

“Why?”

“Because I’m getting married on that day, and I’m inviting the team.”

On a cloudy day in March, the rain stopped just long enough for my now wife and I to get married at a serene outdoor ceremony in San Jose.

The warm sun peeked through the clouds. The rolling hills were covered with a lush carpet of grass. A piano gently tinkled in the background. Everything was fresh, vibrant and beautiful.

The ceremony was made even more special by the company of our friends and family. For me, this meant my team.

I’ve been paddling with DieselFish since 2008. Over the years, the team has provided me with an outlet to meet and befriend a group of kind and friendly people.

These people, the Fishies, are a major part of my life both on and off the water. We don’t just race and train—we also socialize and take trips together.

The Fishies mean the world to me, so I was thrilled to share this important moment with them.

Here’s to you, Fishies! I hope you had a fun time. Let’s make more happy memories.

(Thanks to my wife for letting me to pick the cake topper.)

-Alex, the Minister of Newbie Happiness

Photos: Linneth De La Rocha Photography

© DieselFish Dragon Boat Team 2019. All rights reserved.

Dim Sum Gorge-A-Palooza 2019

DieselFish Dragon Boat Team kicked off the season with a big meal (and some paddling, too).

At this week’s practice, Coach Marynka taught us the secret for getting a good pull on our paddles. She knows a counterintuitive way to generate more power. The technique launches the boat through the water, but the catch is that it’s tiring.

Practice left us exhausted. Some of us had to sit down for a while to regain composure. It’s a good thing we had a big meal planned.

After practice, the team went to Yum Cha Palace in Menlo Park for its annual dim sum lunch.

Yes, there’s a dim sum restaurant in Menlo Park. But I swear it’s excellent. The steamed shrimp dumplings have translucent wrappers. The BBQ pork buns are made with honey. The pan-fried daikon cakes are slightly crusty. Not many restaurants in Silicon Valley do dim sum this well.

We booked two tables, and for the next two hours, we had the time of our lives chatting and nibbling away. DieselFish went on hiatus for much of the winter, so this was the first time in a while that the whole team was able to gather together and catch up.

The delicious food and friendly atmosphere perked us up. What a fun and tiring way to start the season!

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

-Alex, the Minister of Newbie Happiness 🐲

© 2019 DieselFish Dragon Boat Team. All Rights Reserved

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 🐲