DieselFish Dragon Boat Team

DIESELFISH RETURNS TO THE WATER (SORT OF...) The past eight months of quarantine haven’t been fun. DieselFish hasn’t been able to paddle dragon boats because of social distancing rules. The benches are spaced too close together. Lucky for us, Coach Marynka is a genius. She figured out a way to get us back on the water. I realized that we could paddle safely if practiced social distancing while on the water. Also, we came up with a safety plan.... Marynka’s plan came to fruition on October 18. On that unseasonably warm morning, many members of the team and their family members gathered at Bair Island Aquatic Center (BIAC) for the first time in an eternity. But before they could paddle, they needed to pass a rigorous health screening. We followed the latest safety precautions, said Coach Marynka. Everyone had to check their temperatures on the day of the event. Anyone with a fever or other symptoms would’ve been asked to cancel. We also made sure that the attendees hadn’t been exposed to anyone COVID positive, Coach Marynka continued. In addition, I required the attendees to wear masks at all times and maintain social distancing. Finally, we made sure to disinfect the equipment when done. This safety plan put the attendees at ease. I felt absolutely safe, said DieselFish member Chris Stevenson. Everyone was masked (on land) and socially distanced and the equipment was clean and was cleaned again after we used it. Once the safety checks were completed, the team rented stand-up paddle boards and kayaks and hit the water with a vengeance. DieselFish team manager Brian "Wolverine" Le noted that paddling with the team in separate water craft was different but fun. I’m used to paddling in the same boat with my teammates, he added. Everyone had fun. According to Stevenson, It's always great to get out on the water, but this event had the extra benefits of being socially distanced and accessible to my entire family. Plus, we saw some seals! Le said he enjoyed the event because it allowed him to see my friends. He also got to introduce a friend to paddling. Spending time with friends and showing them something they’ve never done made for some fun memories. Looking back on the event, Coach Marynka was pleased with the results. It felt so good to be back on the water again. I really missed the exercise and being back at BIAC. But more importantly, I missed hanging out with my friends and teammates. It’s been too long since we’ve seen each other in person, she said. DieselFish is currently on hiatus. We’ll resume free lessons in Redwood City when health officials determine it’s safe. In the meantime, you can email me your questions at [email protected]. Stay safe! - Alex, the Minister of Newbie Happiness Copyright 2020 DieselFish Dragon Boat Team. All rights reserved. #DieselFish #DragonBoat #Fitness #RedwoodCity #SiliconValley #SUP #kayak

DieselFish Dragon Boat Team is a proud member of the California Dragon Boat Association (CDBA). Thank you to our members for cleaning and maintaining the CDBA site at Bair Island Aquatic Center in Redwood City. DieselFish is currently on hiatus. We’ll resume free lessons in Redwood City when health officials determine it’s safe. In the meantime, you can email me your questions at [email protected]. Stay safe!... - Alex, the Minister of Newbie Happiness #DIeselFish #DragonBoat #CDBA #SanFrancisco #RedwoodCity #SiliconValley Copyright 2020 DieselFish Dragon Boat Team. All rights reserved.

DIESELFISH MEMORIES Last year‘s San Francisco International Dragon Boat Festival was an important moment for us. Click the link to learn why. DieselFish is currently on hiatus. We’ll resume free lessons in Redwood City when health officials determine it’s safe. In the meantime, you can email me your questions at [email protected]. Stay safe!... - Alex, the Minister of Newbie Happiness #DieselFish #DragonBoat #Fitness #RedwoodCity #SiliconValley Copyright 2020 DieselFish Dragon Boat Team. All rights reserved.

I know that we’ll be together soon. And when that moment finally arrives, we’ll feel the magic again. Our paddles will pull through the water as one. ... The boat will glide through crystal clear water. A breeze perfumed with saltwater will waft through a clean blue sky. Happy days will come again. We just have to stay patient and safe. (This video was shot in 2019.) DieselFish is currently on hiatus. We’ll resume free lessons in Redwood City when health officials determine it’s safe. In the meantime, you can email me your questions at [email protected]. Stay safe! - Alex, the Minister of Newbie Happiness #DieselFish #DragonBoat #Fitness #RedwoodCity #SiliconValley Copyright 2020 DieselFish Dragon Boat Team. All rights reserved.

Do you know the answer? DieselFish is a proud member of the California Dragon Boat Association. #DieselFish #DragonBoat #CDBA

It’s Trivia Tuesday courtesy of the California Dragon Boat Association! DieselFish is currently on hiatus. We’ll resume free lessons in Redwood City when health officials determine it’s safe. In the meantime, you can email me your questions at [email protected]. Stay safe! - Alex, the Minister of Newbie Happiness ... #DieselFish #DragonBoat #Fitness #RedwoodCity #SiliconValley Copyright 2020 DieselFish Dragon Boat Team. All rights reserved.

Feeling tight after practices? These stretches can help. Shared from Ithaca Dragon Boat Club. DieselFish is currently on hiatus. We’ll resume free lessons in Redwood City when health officials determine it’s safe. In the meantime, you can email me your questions at [email protected]. Stay safe!... - Alex, the Minister of Newbie Happiness #DieselFish #DragonBoat #Fitness #RedwoodCity #SiliconValley Copyright 2020 DieselFish Dragon Boat Team. All rights reserved.

We hope you enjoy this dragon boatinspired piece by the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra. The song faithfully captures the giddy excitement and frantic pace of dragon boat racing. DieselFish is currently on hiatus. We’ll resume free lessons in Redwood City when health officials determine it’s safe. In the meantime, you can email me your questions at [email protected]. Stay safe! - Alex, the Minister of Newbie Happiness ... #DieselFish #DragonBoat #Fitness #RedwoodCity #SiliconValley Copyright 2020 DieselFish Dragon Boat Team. All rights reserved.

Welcome to the world’s first virtual Dragon Boat Festival! DieselFish is currently on hiatus. We’ll resume free lessons in Redwood City after the shelter-in-place period ends. In the meantime, you can email me your questions at [email protected]. Stay safe! - Alex, the Minister of Newbie Happiness ... #DieselFish #DragonBoat #Fitness #RedwoodCity #SiliconValley Copyright 2020 DieselFish Dragon Boat Team. All rights reserved.

A DELICIOUS HOLIDAY TRADITION No Dragon Boat Festival is complete without zongzi. Zongzi are dumplings made with glutinous rice and fillings such as peanuts and fatty meat. ... These little lumps of deliciousness are wrapped in bamboo or lotus leaves and steamed. When it’s time to eat, you cut open the wrapper... Take a deep breath... And fill your nose with the grassy aroma that gently wafts from your plate. Then, you dig in, taking time to savor the soft and sticky texture of the rice. Marvel at how the grains attach themselves to your chopsticks. Every bite should include bits of meat and peanutthey’re savory treats hiding in the gooey goodness. Racing is a big part of the Dragon Boat Festival. But this meal is just as important to me. DieselFish is currently on hiatus. We’ll resume free lessons in Redwood City after the shelter-in-place period ends. In the meantime, you can email me your questions at [email protected]. Stay safe! - Alex, the Minister of Newbie Happiness #DieselFish #DragonBoat #Fitness #RedwoodCity #SiliconValley Copyright 2020 DieselFish Dragon Boat Team. All rights reserved.

We miss everyone and can’t wait until we get to paddle again. In the meantime, we hope you have a safe and happy holiday. (Thanks to our teammate Anna Koan for creating this beautiful illustration!)... DieselFish is currently on hiatus. We’ll resume free lessons in Redwood City after the shelter-in-place period ends. In the meantime, you can email me your questions at [email protected]. Stay safe! - Alex, the Minister of Newbie Happiness #DieselFish #DragonBoat #Fitness #RedwoodCity #SiliconValley Copyright 2020 DieselFish Dragon Boat Team. All rights reserved.

Click the link to read about the history of dragon boat racing in Hong Kong, exhaustively researched by David Bellis, founder of the popular Hong Kong history website Gwulo. DieselFish is currently on hiatus. We’ll resume free lessons in Redwood City after the shelter-in-place period ends. In the meantime, you can email me your questions at [email protected]. Stay safe! - Alex, the Minister of Newbie Happiness ... #DieselFish #DragonBoat #Fitness #RedwoodCity #SiliconValley Copyright 2020 DieselFish Dragon Boat Team. All rights reserved.

DIESELFISH MEMORIES Season 14 was one of the most exciting periods in the team’s history. Our energy, fitness and headcount exploded, resulting in breakthroughs in speed and power. DieselFish racked up an impressive series of wins across the country, and our momentum accelerated with each victory. (I swear, all the stats at the bottom of the post are real!)... DieselFish is currently on hiatus. We’ll resume free lessons in Redwood City after the shelter-in-place period ends. In the meantime, you can email me your questions at [email protected]. Stay safe! - Alex, the Minister of Newbie Happiness Copyright 2020 DieselFish Dragon Boat Team. All rights reserved. #DieselFish #DragonBoat #Fitness #SiliconValley #RedwoodCity - Alex, the Minister of Newbie Happiness