Sunday, December 31, 2023

END OF 2023 JOY | DieselFish Dragon Boat Team | Serving San Jose, Peninsula, San Francisco

 


 
Let’s end 2023 with this moment of joy from DieselFish’s recent end-of-season party.

2023 was another big year for the team. We won medals. We met new friends. We got stronger and faster.
 
→ DieselFish wishes you a happy new year. We’ll see you back on the water in early 2024. We hope you’ll 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 next season’s parties and adventures.
 
- Alex, the Minister of Newbie Happiness 🐲
 
Copyright 2023 DieselFish Dragon Boat Team. All rights reserved.
 
#dragonboat #dieselfish #paddle #canoe #fitness #sanfrancisco #redwoodcity #visitrwc #sanjose #siliconvalley


Friday, December 15, 2023

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

We’re celebrating DieselFish Dragon Boat Team’s 25th season by sharing memories from our past. Read on to learn about Claire. She was one of our strongest paddlers and a member of the leadership team.


DF: When did you paddle with DieselFish?
CLAIRE: I paddled from end-of-season 20042009. I showed up at the very last meeting of the season and started in the off-season. And I ended my season three months pregnant in July at Paragon point and I knew physically I couldn’t paddle any longer. It was so sad to leave.
 
DF: Why did you join DieselFish?
CLAIRE: I was looking for something outdoors, exercise, and the chance to meet people. Once I met everyone at that first meeting, everyone was so friendly and encouraging and explained they are heading into off-season and they wanted to make sure I came back and I did!
 
DF: Tell us your favorite DieselFish story:
CLAIRE: I met some lifelong friends while paddling and boy did we have some great times. I remember being in Long Beach for a race and we were all flying home Sunday evening. There was a mad rush for most of us to get to the airport. But after a stinky hot day on the water, we knew we all needed to shower.
 
One person had a room to let us shower in and we were given two minutes each to shower and they timed us, of course. In our best competitive fashion, it was on and paddles up!
 
I made it to my shower, just under two minutes and some of us decided we’d change in the closet since other fishies were in the room. I forgot that someone went in the closet to change and I opened the sliding door to the shower and a loud scream came out. I freaked out and totally forgot the fishy was in there! I was so embarrassed as I’m sure this fishy was too.
 
DF: How did DieselFish change your life?
CLAIRE: I paddled, traveled, ate, and drank with this team and we bonded. It was an amazing experience I still remember fondly and I miss it all the time. I met my now husband, Sean, while paddling as we know a lot of love boat relationships happened. :)
 
DF: Thanks for sharing your memories, Claire!
 
→ Start your own legend with 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


Thursday, December 14, 2023

CUTTING LOOSE DURING THE HOLIDAYS | DieselFish Dragon Boat Team | Serving San Jose, Peninsula, San Francisco

DieselFish ended its 25th season with a holiday party. Read on to learn more.

San Jose-Peninsula-San Francisco Bay Area dragon boat team DieselFish offers free lessons in Redwood City. Email Alex now at DFcaptains@gmail.com for information.

Here are some moments of joy from DieselFish’s recent end-of-season party. Look at the expressions on our faces—you can’t fake those looks of glee. We enjoyed food, drinks, and each other’s company as we celebrated another winning season. Later in the night, the team even swapped gifts and played mahjong.

 

→ DieselFish wishes you a happy holiday season. We’ll see you back on the water in early 2024. We hope you’ll 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 next season’s parties and adventures.

 

- Alex, the Minister of Newbie Happiness 🐲

San Jose-Peninsula-San Francisco Bay Area dragon boat team DieselFish offers free lessons in Redwood City. Email Alex now at DFcaptains@gmail.com for information.

San Jose-Peninsula-San Francisco Bay Area dragon boat team DieselFish offers free lessons in Redwood City. Email Alex now at DFcaptains@gmail.com for information.

San Jose-Peninsula-San Francisco Bay Area dragon boat team DieselFish offers free lessons in Redwood City. Email Alex now at DFcaptains@gmail.com for information.

San Jose-Peninsula-San Francisco Bay Area dragon boat team DieselFish offers free lessons in Redwood City. Email Alex now at DFcaptains@gmail.com for information.

San Jose-Peninsula-San Francisco Bay Area dragon boat team DieselFish offers free lessons in Redwood City. Email Alex now at DFcaptains@gmail.com for information.

San Jose-Peninsula-San Francisco Bay Area dragon boat team DieselFish offers free lessons in Redwood City. Email Alex now at DFcaptains@gmail.com for information.

San Jose-Peninsula-San Francisco Bay Area dragon boat team DieselFish offers free lessons in Redwood City. Email Alex now at DFcaptains@gmail.com for information.

San Jose-Peninsula-San Francisco Bay Area dragon boat team DieselFish offers free lessons in Redwood City. Email Alex now at DFcaptains@gmail.com for information.

San Jose-Peninsula-San Francisco Bay Area dragon boat team DieselFish offers free lessons in Redwood City. Email Alex now at DFcaptains@gmail.com for information.

San Jose-Peninsula-San Francisco Bay Area dragon boat team DieselFish offers free lessons in Redwood City. Email Alex now at DFcaptains@gmail.com for information.

San Jose-Peninsula-San Francisco Bay Area dragon boat team DieselFish offers free lessons in Redwood City. Email Alex now at DFcaptains@gmail.com for information.

San Jose-Peninsula-San Francisco Bay Area dragon boat team DieselFish offers free lessons in Redwood City. Email Alex now at DFcaptains@gmail.com for information.

San Jose-Peninsula-San Francisco Bay Area dragon boat team DieselFish offers free lessons in Redwood City. Email Alex now at DFcaptains@gmail.com for information.

Copyright 2023 DieselFish Dragon Boat Team. All rights reserved.

Photos: Alex and Poky






Wednesday, November 15, 2023

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

Piao’s dedication and enthusiasm helped her paddle hard during her first dragon boat race. Read on to find out more.



Everyone let’s give a huge round of applause for our new teammate Piao. (“My name rhymes with ‘Meow,’” she explained.) Since joining DieselFish this summer, Piao has become a core member of the team. She has a perfect attendance record and is making excellent progress in her stroke technique. Piao recently completed a paddler rite of passage: her first race. On August 12, Piao competed in the California Dragon Boat Association’s Sprints Race at Leo J. Ryan Park in Foster City.
 
Piao was exhilarated after her first race. “This is my first race after joining Diesel a month ago,” she exclaimed. “It’s really interesting and exciting. I was quite nervous I think with the first race happened, but I think it started to get more into the groove with the race going on.”
 
Piao is also enthusiastic about DieselFish. “I really like DieselFish the team, because I feel like everyone’s very chill but very energetic when we’re racing together,” she warmly explained.
 
Congratulations, Piao! You did great in your first race. Your dedication and enthusiasm paid off. 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 Piao can do it, so can YOU. DieselFish offers FREE dragon boat lessons in Redwood City. 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 


Friday, November 3, 2023

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO US | DieselFish Dragon Boat Team | Serving San Jose, Peninsula, San Francisco

Our 25th birthday was filled with hugs, stories, paddling. Read on to learn more about this fun and meaningful event.

San Jose-Peninsula-San Francisco Bay Area dragon boat team DieselFish offers free lessons in Redwood City

San Jose-Peninsula-San Francisco Bay Area dragon boat team DieselFish offers free lessons in Redwood City

October 21, 2023, was one of the most important moments in DieselFish’s history. On that day, we celebrated our 25th birthday. The celebration was filled with long hugs, colorful stories, and mouthwatering food. Oh yeah, we paddled, too.

 

We started the celebration with a practice session. Many DieselFish alums (the “Salty Fishes”) dusted off their paddles and combined with the team’s current lineup for a cruise around Bair Island. Not surprisingly, the practice began late. Because most of the Salty Fishes hadn’t seen each other in ages.

 

“IS THAT REALLY YOU?”

“You look the same…”

“I can’t believe we’re all here again…”

 

Time stood still as we hugged and joked around. We cut this reunion short when it was finally time to get back into our boats.

 

Most of the alums hadn’t paddled since leaving the team. So we took it easy. Gradually, the Salty Fishes remembered their techniques and the boats gained speed and power. Soon, we were chugging along at a brisk clip. The memories began flooding back:

“Remember when we medaled at TI?”

“Ken, I’m finally using the technique you taught me 20 YEARS AGO!”

 

After we docked, we gathered at Sports Basement’s community room for a joyous gala. There, we played games, gobbled catered food, and created new memories. Occasionally, the store’s customers peeked into the room to investigate the source of the boisterous laughter coming from inside.

 

The celebration was fun and meaningful. As we paddled, partied, and chatted, we remembered that we’re part of something bigger than ourselves. We’re part of a family that has been growing for a quarter of a century. We may not see each other often, but we’ll always be connected.

 

→ The DieselFish family is still paddling long and strong in Redwood City. Contact Alex now at DFcaptains@gmail.com for a FREE lesson.

 

- Alex, the Minister of Newbie Happiness 🐲



San Jose-Peninsula-San Francisco Bay Area dragon boat team DieselFish offers free lessons in Redwood City

San Jose-Peninsula-San Francisco Bay Area dragon boat team DieselFish offers free lessons in Redwood City

San Jose-Peninsula-San Francisco Bay Area dragon boat team DieselFish offers free lessons in Redwood City

San Jose-Peninsula-San Francisco Bay Area dragon boat team DieselFish offers free lessons in Redwood City

San Jose-Peninsula-San Francisco Bay Area dragon boat team DieselFish offers free lessons in Redwood City

San Jose-Peninsula-San Francisco Bay Area dragon boat team DieselFish offers free lessons in Redwood City

San Jose-Peninsula-San Francisco Bay Area dragon boat team DieselFish offers free lessons in Redwood City

San Jose-Peninsula-San Francisco Bay Area dragon boat team DieselFish offers free lessons in Redwood City

San Jose-Peninsula-San Francisco Bay Area dragon boat team DieselFish offers free lessons in Redwood City

San Jose-Peninsula-San Francisco Bay Area dragon boat team DieselFish offers free lessons in Redwood City

San Jose-Peninsula-San Francisco Bay Area dragon boat team DieselFish offers free lessons in Redwood City


 

CREDITS: Alex, Brian, Julie, Kyra. Thanks to Cruel Donuts in San Mateo for the delicious desserts. Photos by Poky.

Copyright 2023 DieselFish Dragon Boat Team. All rights reserved.

 

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

Thursday, October 19, 2023

DIESELFISH LEGENDS: RENE | 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 memories 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.

Remember our old buddy, Rene? Everybody loved Rene—so funny, kind, and strong. He also served as the leadership team’s technical advisor.


DF: When did you paddle with DieselFish?
RENE: Started at a New Paddler Day in May 2012
 
DF: Why did you join DieselFish?
RENE: It was a great workout and interesting as it’s been practiced for hundreds or even thousands of years. And a fun crew!!!
 
DF: Tell us your favorite DieselFish story:
RENE: Long Beach was cool, it was my most Southern California visit ever!
 
DF: How did DieselFish change your life?
RENE: It was a great and healthy way to start a Saturday
 
DF: Thanks for sharing your memories, Rene! 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

Wednesday, October 18, 2023

LAST CHANCE FOR 25TH ANNIVERSARY DRAGON BOAT UNIFORM | DieselFish Dragon Boat Team | Serving San Jose, Peninsula, San Francisco

 


We’re NEVER going to print this design again! Order yours now. We’ll stop taking orders on 10/23/23.

- Alex, the Minister of Newbie Happiness 🐲

Copyright 2023 DieselFish Dragon Boat Team. All rights reserved.

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