YMCA Announces Annual Dragon Boat Team Challenge Winners 2026

THE WOODLANDS, TX -- 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

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.