IT’S NOT JUST LUNCH | DieselFish Dragon Boat Team | Serving San Jose, Peninsula, San Francisco

We’re not just a team—we’re a community. Read on to find out how our positive culture helps us win races.

Last Saturday’s practice was fueled by good vibes…AND MSG!

The team enjoyed a tasty dim sum lunch before practice. We had a fun time chatting about everything and nothing while munching a variety of dumplings. Team lunches are a major part of DieselFish’s culture.

You see, we’re not just a team. We’re a community.

We enjoy spending time with each other off the water.

We understand each other.

We have each other’s backs.

This closeness is one of our strengths. When we get into our boat, we paddle for each other.

That belief makes us strong and confident. And all our paddles hit the water as one.

→ We invite you to join the DieselFish community. Please join us for FREE lessons in Redwood City on 2/4, 2/11, and 2/18. Email me now at DFcaptains@gmail.com to begin your dragon boat adventure with us.

- Alex, the Minister of Newbie Happiness 🐲

Copyright 2023 DieselFish Dragon Boat Team. All rights reserved.

YOU NEED TO GET OUTSIDE | DieselFish Dragon Boat Team | Serving San Jose, Peninsula, San Francisco

Feeling stir crazy? Clear skies and sunshine are coming. You can make up for the lonely and boring weeks you were stuck inside by signing up for a FREE dragon boat lesson with DieselFish. Read on to find out how…

Are you sick of the rain, yet? It’s been pouring nonstop and YOU CAN’T TAKE IT ANYMORE. The awful weather has trapped you indoors. You’re going stir crazy. But I have good news…

Sunshine is on its way! Forecasters say the rain will stop this week. You know what that means, right?

It’s time to go outside. It’s time to enjoy the sunshine. It’s time to get active again. But what activity will you try first?

How about a dragon boat adventure with DieselFish? We offer free lessons every Saturday in Redwood City. We’ll teach you how to paddle and then show you the Peninsula’s hidden waterways.

You’ll feel free as beams of sunshine warm your body.

You’ll see seals, hawks, and pelicans.

You’ll fill your lungs with fresh air with every stroke of your paddle.

→ It’s time to make up for all those lonely and boring weeks you were stuck inside. Free lessons for beginners in Redwood City start on 1/21. Contact me now at DFcaptains@gmail.com to book your outdoor adventure with us.

- Alex, the Minister of Newbie Happiness 🐲

Copyright 2022 DieselFish Dragon Boat Team. All rights reserved.

CELEBRATING OUR ACHIEVEMENTS, ONE SONG AT A TIME | DieselFish Dragon Boat Team | Serving San Jose, Peninsula, San Francisco

DieselFish capped off a successful season with an epic party. Read on to find out how the team celebrated its winning season.

On December 10th, DieselFish Dragon Boat Team met up at Grand HotPot for its end-of-season party. There, the team enjoyed simmered foods, celebrated its achievements, and damaged its vocal cords and eardrums (more on that later). This event allowed the team members to cut loose and enjoy the gains they worked hard to achieve.

The evening began with a hotpot feast. In between bites of beef and shrimp, the team members chatted about the team’s incredible season. In 2022, DieselFish won gold medals in back-to-back races, doubled the size of the crew, and experienced new adventures. “I still can’t believe it,” gushed team captain Alex Ling. “Most seasons have highs and lows. But this season kept getting better and better. Every week, we got a little bit faster. New members joined all the time. We EARNED tonight’s celebration.”

Then, the lights dimmed. A smoke machine blanketed the room with a hazy mist. A laser projected a frantic light show onto the ceiling. The epic karaoke portion of the night was about to start. We spent the next two hours belting out loud and enthusiastic renditions of our favorite pop songs. At the end of the night, a team member joked that the restaurant’s all-you-can-eat menu should have included throat lozenges and ear plugs.

This raucous celebration lifted our spirits and marked an end to one of the most successful periods in DieselFish’s long history. The team’s recruitment and performance gains during the season enabled the crew to end the season with a winning record. “I’m proud of everyone here,” exclaimed Head Coach Marynka Rojas-Gorgen. “You worked hard, and it showed. I can’t wait to see what we’ll be able to do next season!”

→ DieselFish will return in 2023 for its landmark 25th season. We hope you will join us for more fun, fitness, and friendship on the wild seas of Redwood City. Email me now at DFcaptains@gmail.com to learn how you can join our adventures.

- Alex, the Minister of Newbie Happiness 🐲 (favorite karaoke song: “I Don’t Want to Wait” by Paula Cole)

Copyright 2022 DieselFish Dragon Boat Team. All rights reserved.

Photos: Alex, Marynka, Poky, Siva

AQUAMAN JOINS DIESELFISH | DieselFish Dragon Boat Team | Serving San Jose, Peninsula, San Francisco

George joined DieselFish because he loves spending time in and around water. Read on to find out how dragon boat racing with DieselFish can connect you with a community of fellow water-sports fanatics. Then, email us at DFcaptains@gmail.com to learn how you can join our outdoor adventures.

[GONG!] Huzzah! It’s time to strike DieselFish Dragon Boat Team’s New Member Gong again. Our new teammate George loves spending time in and around water. “I am an ‘aqua man,’” he explained. “I scuba dive and swim in the pool as well as in the ocean regularly.” 

One day, George spotted DieselFish while surfskiing at our practice site, Bair Island Aquatic Center (BIAC).

“I first joined BIAC to learn sculling and surfskiing, but then I noticed DieselFish. I went last Saturday to check it out. I felt right at home with this group. I am looking forward to the outdoor fitness activities as well as fellowship with the team.”

We’re glad you joined the team, George. We’re going to have lots of thrilling adventures on the water together.

→ Dragon boat racing is a great way to meet fellow outdoor sports fanatics. DieselFish will offer FREE dragon boat lessons in Redwood City on 10/29, 11/5, and 11/12. Email me now at DFcaptains@gmail.com for information.

- Alex, the Minister of Newbie Happiness 🐲

Copyright 2022 DieselFish Dragon Boat Team. All rights reserved.

DRAGON BOAT SUCCESS STORIES: HOW TO PADDLE LIKE A VETERAN—CHRIS AND ATG | DieselFish Dragon Boat Team | Serving San Jose, Peninsula, San Francisco

Veteran paddlers ATG and Chris finally raced with DieselFish in San Diego. There, the duo showed us their mettle and helped the team win the gold. Read on to find out how seasoned paddlers contribute to victories. Then, email Alex at DFcaptains@gmail.com to find out how you can join our racing adventures.

We live in an unpredictable world. Things don’t always go to plan. Alexander the Great (we call him “ATG”) and Chris joined DieselFish in 2019. But various circumstances (most notably a global pandemic) kept them from racing with us. Until recently…

 
On September 24, ATG and Chris cleared their busy schedules and travelled with DieselFish to compete in the San Diego International Dragon Boat Race. At this event, we finally got the chance to dash to finish line with these two veteran paddlers.
 
The duo’s experience and strength were needed during the event. In DieselFish’s second-round heat, a competitor’s boat smashed into us, a rare but unsettling occurrence. Despite the ensuing commotion, ATG and Chris showed maturity by maintaining focus and continuing to paddle with confidence. “The second race was pretty tough,” reflected ATG. “It was scary.”
 
Later, during the team’s hard-fought championship heat, ATG and Chris provided DieselFish with enough muscle and tenacity to pull slightly ahead of the field near the finish line. This performance helped DieselFish claim the gold and defeat the second-place boat by a mere fraction of a second. “That last race, the last heat, [was] super exciting,” Chris explained.
 
Congratulations, ATG and Chris! We’re thrilled we finally got the opportunity to race with you. Your experience and strength are invaluable. We can’t wait to race with you again.
 
→ If ATG and Chris can do it, so can YOU. DieselFish will offer FREE dragon boat lessons in Redwood City on 10/15, 10/22, and 10/29. Email me now at DFcaptains@gmail.com to join our racing adventures.
 
- Alex, the Minister of Newbie Happiness 🐲
 
Copyright 2022 DieselFish Dragon Boat Team. All rights reserved.

DRAGON BOAT SUCCESS STORIES: POKY’S FIRST RACE | DieselFish Dragon Boat Team | Serving San Jose, Peninsula, San Francisco

Poky, a recent addition to the team, experienced an important paddler rite of passage. Read on to find out what it’s like to race a dragon boat for the first time.

Poky joined DieselFish in April 2022. Since then, she’s become an important part of the team. We value her strength, positive attitude, and sense of humor. On September 24, Poky travelled with DieselFish to compete in the San Diego International Dragon Boat Race. At this event, she experienced an important rite of paddler passage: her first race.

“The race was really fun, and I was super excited,” Poky said. “I think my stomach ached a little bit when I was sitting in the boat. And then, once they started, I didn’t think about anything, and I just paddled and looked at everyone.”

Congratulations, Poky! You’ve made excellent progress. We can’t wait to see what comes next for you in your dragon boat journey. DieselFish will be there for you every step of the way.

→ If Poky can do it, so can YOU. DieselFish will offer FREE dragon boat lessons in Redwood City on 10/8, 10/15, and 10/22. Email me now at DFcaptains@gmail.com to reserve your seat.

- Alex, the Minister of Newbie Happiness 🐲

Copyright 2022 DieselFish Dragon Boat Team. All rights reserved.

DIESELFISH WINS GOLD AT SAN DIEGO INTERNATIONAL DRAGON BOAT RACE | DieselFish Dragon Boat Team | Serving San Jose, Peninsula, San Francisco

DieselFish pushed itself to its limit and won the gold at the San Diego International Dragon Boat Race. Read on to find out how you can start dragon boat racing.

San Jose/Peninsula/San Francisco dragon boat team DieselFish paddled away with the gold at the 2022 San Diego International Dragon Boat Race.

The team paddled a 10-person dragon boat in the 250-meter event. The crew included men and women. Half of the crew had only started paddling in April of 2022.

In the tense championship heat, DieselFish went head-to-head with three strong teams from across the country. DieselFish pushed itself to its limit and beat the second-place boat by a mere fraction of a second.

“It was a really close race, but DieselFish persevered for the gold,” stated Head Coach Marynka Rojas Gorgen.

This victory comes hot on the heels of DieselFish’s recent gold medal performance at the 2022 California Dragon Boat Association Regional Sprint Race in July. “This moment for the team feels great,” said Alex Ling, the team’s captain. “DieselFish has had a remarkable and winning season. Our rookies have advanced way faster than I thought possible. I think this growth pushed our veterans to paddle even harder. I can’t wait to see what we’ll be capable of next season.”

→ If we can do it, so can YOU. DieselFish will offer FREE dragon boat lessons in Redwood City on 10/1, 10/8 and 10/15. Email me now at DFcaptains@gmail.com for information.

- Alex, the Minister of Newbie Happiness 🐲

Copyright 2022 DieselFish Dragon Boat Team. All rights reserved.