Photo courtesy of The Woodlands Family YMCAEvents
Winners announced for 27th Annual Woodlands Family YMCA Dragon Boat Team Challenge
Seventy-Six teams, representing Fifty-Six corporations, businesses and local organizations from Montgomery County and Greater Houston Area, recently competed in the 27th Annual YMCA Dragon Boat Team Challenge Presented by Repsol, September 24-26 at Northshore Park. An annual tradition for many, held on the last weekend in September, teams come together to Paddle for a PURPOSE. Together, we strive to create a stronger community and restore hope and well-being to all. Now more than ever, people are ready to reconnect and have FUN. The event promises and delivers teamwork and camaraderie at their best and allows participants to visit and play with old friends and make new ones. Teams work hard and encourage teammates to reach a goal, all while having a blast! No prior rowing experience is needed.
Teams earned points based on how they placed in each event. The top 2 teams with most points accumulated, at the end of each bracket, were recognized as the winner and runner up. Awards were also presented to teams in each bracket recognizing Fastest Dragon Boat Heat, Most Creative Team Shirt, Most Creative Team Tent Theme/Décor and Most Spirited Team! The Woodlands Family YMCA is thrilled to announce the winners of the 2026 Event. Each winning team takes home the coveted “Dragon” Award to proudly display along with the bragging rights!!!
Thursday Morning Bracket Winners:
- 1st Place: Ovintiv
- 2nd Place: Chevron Phillips Chemical
- Best Tent Décor/Theme: Tellepsen
- Best Shirt Design: Exxon – Product Solutions
- Most Team Spirit: The Woodlands Reformed Church
- Fastest Boat Heat: Ovintiv: 2:27:87
Thursday Afternoon Bracket Winners:
- 1st Place: Repsol #6
- 2nd Place: Ring Energy #2
- Best Tent Décor/Theme: Howard Hughes
- Best Shirt Design: Shaw Group
- Most Team Spirit: AmSty
- Fastest Boat Heat: Ring Energy #1: 2:30:91
Friday Morning Bracket Winners:
- 1st Place: Exxon Global Projects #1
- 2nd Place: Chart Industries
- Best Tent Décor/Theme: Exxon Global Projects #3
- Best Shirt Design: Excelerate Energy
- Most Team Spirit: Houston Methodist – The Woodlands
- Fastest Boat Heat: Exxon Global Projects #1: 2:21:19
Friday Afternoon Bracket Winners:
- 1st Place: Entergy
- 2nd Place: HMH
- Best Tent Décor/Theme: Exxon – Central Law
- Best Shirt Design: Optimal Balance Pharmacy
- Most Team Spirit: LGI Homes
- Fastest Boat Heat: Entergy: 2:17:84
Saturday Morning Bracket Winners:
- 1st Place: Texpedition Society
- 2nd Place: CrossFit OverTake
- Best Tent Décor/Theme: Memorial Hermann – The Woodlands Best Shirt Design: Woodforest National Bank
- Most Team Spirit: The Woodlands Township
- **Fastest Boat Heat: Texpedition Society: 2:12:07
**Team with the Fastest Overall Dragon Boat Heat in 2026: Texpedition Society!
Celebrating 27 years Paddling for a PURPOSE and raising more than $170,000, the YMCA Dragon Boat Team Challenge benefits the Y’s Annual Campaign, which ensures the Y
can offer unique opportunities for families to come together in a safe place, create a welcoming environment for all, and ensure that everyone has access to our YMCA and its programs, regardless of age, income, background or circumstance. The YMCA is not just a place, but a purpose.
Every dollar raised is an investment in our community and our future. Thank you to our generous sponsors whose support has kept the event growing, evolving and helping the YMCA multiply its impact in the community: Repsol, Ring Energy, Excelerate Energy, Optimal Balance Pharmacy, H-E-B, Houston Methodist The Woodlands Hospital, McKesson, First Horizon Foundation, Memorial Hermann The Woodlands Medical Center, Chevron Phillips Chemical, LGI Homes, Northwestern Mutual, PetroChina, Lyondellbasell, Ovintiv, and MoreGroup.
See you next year! Save the date! The 28th Annual YMCA Dragon Boat Team Challenge is tentatively scheduled for September 23 – 25, 2027. For more information contact Blake Kelly at blake.kelly@ymcahouston.org.
First organized in 1886, the YMCA of Greater Houston is one of the city’s leading nonprofits dedicated to strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. The YMCA, a United Way of Greater Houston agency, seeks to serve all – regardless of age, income, faith or background and we welcome everyone. In the greater Houston area, 25 YMCA centers, one overnight camp and hundreds of program sites nurture the potential of children and teens, improve the city’s health and well-being, and provide opportunities to give back and support neighbors. Anchored in the Houston community, the Y has the long- standing relationships and physical presence not just to promise, but to deliver lasting personal and social change. To learn more, call 713-659-5566 or visit us on the web at ymcahouston.org.
Source: The Woodlands Family YMCA
