Leadership Seminar!

For all leaders in the Fishtix team, Thara, a paddler and leader from the Dragonflyers will be giving us an hour long seminar about how to be a successful leader and how to create successful events. This will last an hour and will be held right after practice next Sunday at Cardinal Point. If you cannot make this, please let Lauren know. Hopefully, you all can make it and pick up some important skills.

Giving Back!

November 14th, there will be a College Dragonboat race at the Jack London Aquatics Center and the CDBA would like some volunteers helping out from the Fishtix. There are two possible shifts, from 8AM to 12PM and from 12PM to 4PM. You will be helping load and unload the boats and watching out for any struggling paddlers. This will be a great chance to give back to the CDBA, who has given so much to the Fishtix. It will also earn you 4 hours of community service.

Also, the Halloween Meet hosted by the Renegades is coming up and we need to get back into shape in order to give some of the other adult teams some competition. So remember to keep coming out to practices and don't forget that everyone contributes to the boat.

Practice Reminders

All Fishtix, please remember that there is practice every Sunday and Wednesday from 4PM to 5:30PM. It is important that you all show up to these practices to help increase your endurance during races and be caught up with any technique tweaks we have implemented to the stroke.

Also, ASTI branch members must attend at least ONE practice a month to be acknowledged as an official member. We understand that there may be scheduling conflicts, that is why we are making it one mandatory practice a month. We will increase this amount as we get closer to important race dates and events.

Halloween Howl Invitational

Congratulations on the stellar performance last Sunday, Fishtix! We now have another race to prepare for: The Oakland Renegade's Halloween Howl Invitational. IT will be on Sunday, OCtober 31st and will be from 8 to 3:15. IT would be a great chance for us to hone our skills and continue working on our conditioning. Watch out as more news about this comes out and do not forget there is a mandatory practice this Sunday, October 3rd for all active members of Fishtix so we can debrief our performance at Treasure Island and work our a practice plan to make us in top shape for the Halloween Howl.

Treasure Island Race!

So as all of you already know, the Treasure Island Race is on Sunday, September 26th. It will be from 8AM all the way until around 5PM. For the next day, please do not over condition yourselves for the race. Get plenty of rest for the race and stretch so you won't pull any muscles during the race. Bring your A+ game to the race and lets show all the other teams what we are made of!

Get Your Waivers In!

As you all may know the Treasure Island Race is in two weeks. This means that you all need to turn in your waivers ASAP! If you need the waivers, they are found here. Once you complete it, please turn it into your respective presidents. Also, two weeks left of Dragonboat before the race means two more practices and like I said before in the previous post, everyone needs to be attending these last two practices if you really want to go out and compete. The reason is simple, we have tweaked and optimized our stroke and race pieces and we have added new vocabulary to signify our strokes. So it is your job to learn all of these before the 25th or else you will not be competing with the rest of us.

Three Weeks Left!

There are only a mere three weeks left until the big Treasure Island Race on September 25th and 26th. It is very important for everyone to make every single practice and at least 2 adult practices if you are a new member. This is to ensure every and all paddler on the Alameda Fishtix are prepared for this race. If you come to the race, but have not been to any of the past practices, there is no way to let you onto the boat and race with us. This is because we have altered our race paddling drastically and requires weeks of practice to actually perfect. So please RSVP on the Facebook event, and be sure to attend every and all practice available.

New Season

Hello fellow paddlers.

New members, please register and get your waiver stuff done ASAP. There is a new race coming up.
Please read the directions below.

Please make sure you register online at cdba.org.
How to register (for people who have not done it before):
1. Go to www.cdba.org
2. Go to Membership
3. Go to Login (even if you do not have an account. There is a sign up for membership thing at the bottom of the site.)
4. Our Team Login is aLaFistix (yes, a typo). Our team code is t6JlfbP.
5. Electronically sign (type your name) into the box after you finish all your other registry stuff.
6. After completing the registration, sign on.
***Make sure you put youth team...team=Fishtix

If you have registered online before, sign back in at www.cdba.org using the email and password you set up before. Once you have signed in, update your profile and agree to the terms of the new waiver. Remember we are a youth team and the team name is Fishtix.

Also, the big Treasure Island Race is in 2 weeks. So please try to make every single practice, whether you're in the competitive or recreational team. It is important to be thoroughly prepared for the race.

More people skipping practice?! Oh NO!!

Not to keep pestering everyone, but...consistent attendance to practices is vital in maintaining a functioning and competitive dragon boat team. So to everyone who keeps flaking on practice and to everyone who has second thoughts about attending practices, attending them do help. By attending each and every practice, you are setting examples of dedicated and hardworking senior members to the junior and younger members. Also, coach David is doing some fine tuning to our stroke and if you miss any of the days when he is giving tips in stroke optimization and physics, you are letting the rest of the team down.

New Additions to the Fishtix Family

We recently received a plethora of new recruits from Encinal High School. For everyone, please welcome them as our own and show them a warm Fishtix welcome. It is important for all members, experienced or new, to teach our new members the correct stroke and correct code of conduct. Everyone at Fishtix would also recommend every member to continue attending practices regularly because we are introducing new techniques to everyone and we don't want to waste everyone's time going over trite lessons.

In other news, for Fishtix members interested in pursuing executive positions at Alameda High School, please contact Simon Liu for more information on positions and the application process.

Closing out the year with a dose of ELECTIONS!

The Alameda High branch of Fishtix will be holding their own leadership elections for dragonboat. Positions will include: President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer. If you are an Alameda High member of Fishtix and would like to run for anyone of these positions, please contact Simon Liu. The election date is to be announced when all the candidates have been determined. Good luck to you all. The ASTI Fishtix branch is helping to organize a team barbecue. The date is to be announced and dependent on the availability of the members. The event will be held on a Saturday, so please notify your respective dragonboat president which Saturday is the best time for you.

Let's Keep It Short and Sweet

We're going to be having a "recess" from practices on Fridays, considering lately people haven't been coming. So, we will ONLY HAVE SUNDAY PRACTICES at 4 pm - 5.15 pm, as usual. We hope that after this break you guys will come more often.
We're also going to start coordinating some FUN events (BBQ/Pool party, bowling, movies) If you have other FUN ideas let your respective President know!

Steps to RSVP for the Race

1. $15 or $20 (if you want food)
2. Jan. '10 Liability Waiver
http://cdba.org/documents/waivers/cdba_waiver.pdf
3. Register Online (use your regular e-mail & password)http://cdba.org/index.php?option=com_wrapper&view=wrapper&Itemid=81

TURN THESE THINGS IN TO ME (AHS) OR JJ (ASTI)
THESE THINGS MUST BE TURNED IN BY APRIL 21ST (THAT'S 11 DAYS!)
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS PLEASE ASK ONE OF THE OFFICERS.

Don't Get Confused

We have been getting complaints about communication about practices and to clarify, there will be practice regardless of a Facebook event unless stated otherwise by David.

Practice Reminder

Just to let everyone know and so that there are no miscommunications about practices: they will be held every Sunday, Wednesday, and Friday from 3:45 to 5:30pm unless said otherwise by the presidents or the coach. Also, for people on the competitive team, it is mandatory to attend at least two practices a week. And yes, we will be keep track and logging who comes and does not come. If you cannot make the regular practice, there is always adult practice Saturdays from 9 to 10:30AM. Finally, there are steering practices led by Doug every Sunday. It will reside within the same timeframe as regular practice so people who are comfortable with their stroke can have the privilege of training as a steersperson.

Round of Applause for the Dragon Flyers

The St. Paddy's Day at Lake Merritt race was a huge success with participation from Dragonmax, Renegades, Fishtix, Pirates, and the Dragon Fliers. The Dragon Flyers were able to take home first place and become the first ever reigning champions for the St. Patrick's Day race. Dragonmax Team A&B took home second and third place and the Renegades were perfect competition for everyone. Fishtix were table to race with other teams in other races such as the 1000 meter race, the All Men's Race, and the All Women's race and we proved to be equals to many of the adult paddlers. The Fishtix, in the end, lost to our rivals, the San Leandro Pirates. But in this loss we were able to see where our shortcomings were from and Coach David is formulating new practice regiments to help and make these shortcomings into strengths we can use at the Lake Merced race. A great thanks to the coordinators who put together this great event and for all the volunteers at the Lake Merritt Boat House who helped us load and dock the boats. Great job to everyone and the Fishtix hope to see all the members at this Wednesday's practice.

More Reminders For Everyone

Wednesday and Friday practices have now been restarted. As usual, they will be from 4 to 5:30pm. This is so we can get as much practice in as possible before the March 21st St. Patrick's Day race against the San Leandro Pirates. Everyone on Fishtix urges all the competitive boat members to attend all these practices in addition to the adult practice on Saturday to be thoroughly prepared for the race. Also for those of you who are planning on joining the competitive team at the race and have not been attending practices regularly, you are out of luck. We will not accept anyone, no matter how good they are unless they have been a consistent and regular participant at our team's practices.

A Little Reminder To The Fishtix

The Lake Merritt Race is slowly chugging closer and closer as everyone on the Fishtix is giving their all in preparing for the race. As everyone prepares, we also need the Fishtix as a team to reconverge and become one again. We are currently 3 people short of having a single boat participating at the race. We are also not letting wishy washy flakers onto the boat. So we need all members back to practices. With all branches of Fishtix working together, we are organized and dedicated to getting everyone prepped and ready for the Lake Marritt race.

I'm So Excited! March 21st is our REDEBUT as a Strong Fishtix team!

Everyone at Fishtix is getting ready for the March 21st race against the San Leandro Pirates and other adult teams. From doing extra exercises to attending extra practices with the adults, everyone is trying their best to get into fighting shape. Please play your part as a member of Fishtix and take care of the business you need to take care of. We are also starting to plan simple bonding events for all of Fishtix to attend. We all know that practices are tough and tiring so the executive board at Fishtix decided to throw in treats for everyone once in a while and to help everyone relax and get to know each other a little better. If you're still interested about learning how to steer the boat and preparing for the steersperson's test then our very own Doug Jiro would be more than happy to help out. So contact your branch president for more details.

Upcoming Race!

So if your head has been under a rock for the past week, or if you haven't been attending practices, the San Leandro Pirates have challenged us to a race on March 21st at Lake Merritt. Several other adult teams will be there to help and analyze our team, our strokes, and help us improved on what we are having trouble on. This fun little challenge will hopefully get the team together and get ALL of our heads into the game. The race will be at Lake Merritt, like I said earlier, and we need people to get there by 7:45am. There is also a small registration fee but that includes your meal as well. We are providing everyone with breakfast and lunch. If you are in need to transportation, please contact your branch president and accommodations will be made. This new and earlier race is and incentive to get everyone back into attending practices and getting back into shape.

Please Be Consistent to Practices

So a reminder for everyone is that there will be bootcamp every Friday from 6 to 7pm. We need as many members as possible to go to help enhance their strength and endurance for the long and grueling race pieces. Now at practices, anyone who is interested is able to practice their steering skills with Doug as their coach. If you want to participate, then please contact your respective presidents. We are also having a shortage in dedicated paddlers so we need everyone to persuade their friends to keep coming to practice no matter the circumstance. We also want everyone to try and recruit a new member to help with the paddler shortage. Please be sure to notify them about being consistent in coming to practices. Finally, the Lake Merced race is a mere two months away and we need everyone dedicated and ready to contribute to the positive growth of the team. We are also opening up new leadership opportunities with the Fishtix. If you have any interest in moving up the ranks, please contact your branch president.

Updates on Practices

Last Friday was our first Boot Camp that extended from 6 to 7pm. There was a fair turn out and Coach David worked everyone out. From the simple yet exhausting to the infamous planks, he used everything in his arsenal to get everyone in shape for the April Lake Merced race. Also if you haven't already noticed on Facebook or by the fact that we are having more and more sunlight, regular practices are now extended back to the original 5:30pm end time. So be sure to let your parents or whoever picks you up from practice know that we are back to our regular hour and a half practices.

And on a final note, everyone on the Fishtix would like to reiterate the point to continue coming to practice no matter what the situation because we are trying to get everyone on the same page and prepared for the Lake Merced Race.

We Need YOU!

The Lake Merced Youth Races are coming in April and as everyone can see, our attendance has been in the gutters lately. So we need everyone to help out and find the old Fishtix members who have been flaking on practices. Do whatever you need to get them back and committed to the team. I can speak for everyone when I say we are tired of having unproductive practices. We need the reassemble this team and work hard to take the race by storm. Also, this Friday is going to be a new weekly edition of Bootcamp with Coach David. We will be meeting in the third floor ballroom of the Cardinal Point Retirement Center from 6 to 7. It is important for as many members to come as possible because these will be specific exercises to get everyone's endurance and strength up for the races and our secret weapon.

Training Regiments!

With the Lake Merced Race on its way, we as a team have to start training again and beginning to get back into fighting shape. For an early start this time, we are going to be having boot camps every Friday until daylight savings from 6 to 7 at the Cardinal Point Retirement Center. This is to get everyone's endurance up and to promote a stronger stroke from everyone on the team.

Attendance is key for every practice to be efficient and to be sufficient for our efforts to prevail. Everyone on the coaching staff urges all team members to try and never miss a practice so everyone is equally prepared for the race.

More Practice Opportunities in the coming weeks

Soon the infamous Friday practices will be reinstated by our coach, David Jiang. The practices will be later now, from 6 to 7pm to better accommodate everyone and their busy schedules. When the practices will be specifically reinstated is still to be announced so please keep your ears peeled for any news.
There have been a group of half a dozen Fishtix attending the morning adult practices every Saturday. This is another opportunity for everyone who have not been able to make Wednesday practices to continue honing their skills and be sharp. The adult team welcomes everyone to come and join. So for those who feel that regular practice has been inadequate, feel free to participate in these practices.
Another way for people to experience more practice is to head to the Jack London Aquatic Center and practice with Outrigger. Lead by our former coach, Tim, its an excellent practice to hone both rowing arms. They paddle for about 2 hours Sunday starting at 2pm. They paddle to the mouth of the estuary and back. Its an excellent chance to experience some new sights and sounds of the estuary and strengthening both arms.