CAN’T STOP US | DieselFish Dragon Boat Team | Serving San Jose, Peninsula, San Francisco

 Read on to learn about what it’s like to reach a dragon boat flow state.

We are a crew.

Tight knit.

Focused.

We get into our boat and the rest of the world disappears.

Then we begin paddling. We watch each other’s strokes and fall into a hypnotic rhythm.

Kick-pull-kick-pull-kick-pull

Over and over again in synch.

Soon, we’re chugging along at a brisk pace, gaining speed and power with every stroke.

Suddenly, our drummer yells, “RACE PACE!”

Our ears perk up because it’s GO TIME.

We rocket down the channel.

The pace is severe. We begin breathing hard as our bodies twist and turn together as one.

But we don’t let up. Pushing past the strain. Ignoring the discomfort.

Because our crew has reached a flow.

And we are unstoppable.

→ Dragon boat racing with us will make you feel unstoppable. Email me now at DFcaptains@gmail.com for FREE lessons in Redwood City on 9/23 and 9/30.

- Alex, the Minister of Newbie Happiness 🐲

Copyright 2023 DieselFish Dragon Boat Team. All rights reserved.

#sanjose #sanfrancisco #visitrwc #redwoodcity #siliconvalley #dieselfish #paddle #canoe #dragonboat #fitness 

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

Uncle George completed his first race with enthusiasm and cheer. Read on to find out what it’s like to race a dragon boat for the first time—at the age of 70.
 

Since he joined DieselFish in October 2022, George has become an important member of the team. He’s the team’s unofficial uncle. In this role, George brings humor, enthusiasm, and wisdom to our lives. On August 12, he competed in the California Dragon Boat Association’s 2023 Sprints in Foster City. At this event, he experienced an important rite of passage: his first race. Very few people accomplish this challenge at his age.
 
After the race, George was beaming. His trademark ear-to-ear smile was perhaps a little wider. “It was very exciting! We went very fast,” George said. “One minute and it’s over.”
 
George went on to talk about why he enjoys paddling with DieselFish. “We are a wide range of ages from 24 to 70,” he explained. “Guess who is 70?” George then pointed at himself and grinned. “[The team is] very accepting,” he explained. “Everyone talks to everyone, and it’s a big family.”
 
Congratulations, Uncle George! You completed your first race with cheer. 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 George can do it, so can YOU. DieselFish will offer FREE dragon boat lessons in Redwood City on 9/16 and 9/23. Email me now at DFcaptains@gmail.com to reserve your seat.
 
- Alex, the Minister of Newbie Happiness 🐲
 
Copyright 2023 DieselFish Dragon Boat Team. All rights reserved.
 
#dragonboat #dieselfish #paddle #canoe #fitness #sanfrancisco #visitrwc #redwoodcity #siliconvalley #sanjose

DIESELFISH LEGENDS: TAMARA | DieselFish Dragon Boat Team | Serving San Jose, Peninsula, San Francisco

This is DieselFish Dragon Boat Team’s 25th season! We’re going to celebrate this milestone by sharing stories from our past. Read on to learn about the team’s greatest triumphs and challenges—as told by the people that were there. Buckle up! This is the story of DieselFish.

Here’s Q+A session with Tamara. For many years, Tamara provided big power and positive energy to our practices.

DF: When did you paddle with DieselFish?
Tamara: 2006–2010
 
DF: Why did you join DieselFish?
Tamara: I was looking for an activity and new friends after moving back to California.
 
DF: Tell us your favorite DieselFish story:
Tamara: The 2007 Women's Race at Treasure Island stands out. We technically won in speed, but a false start killed us. We made up for it with speed and heart.
 
DF: How did DieselFish change your life?
Tamara: I met some of my greatest life-long friends when I was on the team.
 
DF: Thanks for sharing your memories, Tamara. We miss seeing at practice.
 
→ Start your own legend by trying a FREE dragon boat lesson. Email Alex at DFcaptains@gmail.com to get started.

- Alex, the Minister of Newbie Happiness 🐲
 
Copyright 2023 DieselFish Dragon Boat Team. All rights reserved.
 
#dflegends #dieselfish #paddle #canoe #dragonboat #fitness #sanfrancisco #visitrwc #redwoodcity #siliconvalley #sanjose  
 

PADDLE WITH DETERMINATION | DieselFish Dragon Boat Team | Serving San Jose, Peninsula, San Francisco

Read on to find out why dragon boat paddling is the greatest challenge you’ll ever try.

We paddle with determination. Every stroke counts.
 
First, we REACH AND ROTATE our cores. This movement gives power and length.
 
Then, we BURY our paddles deep into the water. It feels like we’re thrusting our arms into cement.
 
Next, we KICK our legs and UNLEASH our stroke. The resistance is grueling…
 
Because we’re now PULLING the boat through the water.
 
After all that, we set up our next stroke and do it all again. You might think to yourself, “What a lot of work!”
 
You’re right about that. But when everyone hits together in time…
 
the boat SURGES forward…
 
and we become invincible.
 
→ Dragon boat paddling is the challenge you’ve been waiting for. Email me now at DFcaptains@gmail.com for FREE lessons in Redwood City on 9/9, 9/16, and 9/23.
 
- Alex, the Minister of Newbie Happiness 🐲
 
Copyright 2023 DieselFish Dragon Boat Team. All rights reserved.
 
#sanjose #sanfrancisco #visitrwc #redwoodcity #siliconvalley #dieselfish #paddle #canoe #dragonboat #fitness  

DIESELFISH LEGENDS: FAITH | DieselFish Dragon Boat Team | Serving San Jose, Peninsula, San Francisco

This is DieselFish Dragon Boat Team’s 25th season! We’re going to celebrate this milestone by sharing stories from our past. Read on to learn about the team’s greatest triumphs and challenges—as told by the people that were there. Buckle up! This is the story of DieselFish.

Here’s an interview with Faith, our former teammate and captain. Faith came to us looking for friends and fun. She found all that and more.

DF: When did you paddle with DieselFish?
Faith: 2010–2014
 
DF: Why did you join DieselFish?
Faith: To find a social outlet after moving to the Bay Area.
 
DF: Tell us your favorite DieselFish story:
Faith: Pranking a teammate by decorating his car as Pikachu (see photo).

 
DF: How did DieselFish change your life?
Faith: It's how I met my husband Aric :)
 
DF: Thanks for sharing your memories, Faith. We miss seeing you at practice.
 
→ Start your own legend by trying a FREE dragon boat lesson. Email Alex at DFcaptains@gmail.com to get started.
 
- Alex, the Minister of Newbie Happiness 🐲
 
Copyright 2023 DieselFish Dragon Boat Team. All rights reserved.
 
#dflegends #dieselfish #paddle #canoe #dragonboat #fitness #sanfrancisco #visitrwc #redwoodcity #siliconvalley #sanjose
 

DIESELFISH LEGENDS: KEN | DieselFish Dragon Boat Team | Serving San Jose, Peninsula, San Francisco

This is DieselFish Dragon Boat Team’s 25th season! We’re going to celebrate this milestone by sharing stories from our past. Read on to learn about the team’s greatest triumphs and challenges—as told by the people that were there. Buckle up! This is the story of DieselFish.

We’ll begin this series with a conversation I had with Ken, the team’s founder. Under Ken’s watchful eye, DieselFish won numerous races over the years. He later stayed active in the scene by becoming an advisor to the California Dragon Boat Association.

DF: When did you paddle with DieselFish?
Ken: 1998–2008
 
DF: Why did you create DieselFish?
Ken: The true founders that created the team were Bob Leung and Wendy Hanrahan. I joined them that first year to form a brand-new team from a group of people that didn’t know each other before meeting to try dragon boating for the first time. Joining an existing team would have been too easy.
 
DF: Tell us your favorite DieselFish story:
Ken: There are too many! Getting hit right off the start at the Alcan Dragon Boat Festival, the Alcan Van Wars, all-you-can-eat sushi, making the top finals at the Northern California International Dragon Boat Festival, traveling to Victoria after our flights were cancelled, coming out the number one team at the Jack London Race in Oakland, the birth of DieselMeat as we chased the Philippines national team and beating BAD men all in one heat. I can’t pick a favorite, memories with such a great group of people are all equally valuable.
 
DF: How did DieselFish change your life?
Ken: I’ve never asked people to give so much and seen people overdeliver time after time. The dedication to the team and the California Dragon Boat Association blew my mind.
 
DF: Thanks for sharing your memories, Ken. But more importantly, thank you for helping create DieselFish! As we’ll see in future installments of this series, the team has touched and changed the lives of many people.
 

→ Start your own legend by trying a FREE dragon boat lesson. 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.
 
#dflegends #dieselfish #paddle #canoe #dragonboat #fitness #sanfrancisco #visitrwc #redwoodcity #siliconvalley #sanjose

SAVE THE DATE! | DieselFish Dragon Boat Team | Serving San Jose, Peninsula, San Francisco

 

DieselFish Dragon Boat Team is thrilled to announce its 25th anniversary celebration on Saturday, October 21, 2023. All current and former members are invited to join the festivities in Redwood City.
 
We’ll kick off the celebration with an exhilarating paddle around Bair Island. Then, we’ll meet up for a lively party.
 
→ Save the date! 10/21/23 promises to be a day filled with fun, reunions, and perhaps even a few power 10s. Stay tuned for details.
 
- Alex, the Minister of Newbie Happiness 🐲
 
Copyright 2023 DieselFish Dragon Boat Team. All rights reserved.