On July 18th, we celebrated a milestone that means so much to our club—Houston Heat’s 20th Anniversary Gala. It was an unforgettable evening as current members, alumni, friends, and supporters came together to celebrate two decades of paddling, friendship, and community.
What started as a small group of passionate paddlers has grown into Texas’ first year-round dragon boat club, helping shape and grow the dragon boat community across the state. Looking back on our journey reminded us that reaching 20 years is an achievement—but continuing to grow, welcome new members, and inspire future generations is what makes this milestone truly special.
One of the highlights of the evening was hearing original member Loc and current Club President Jeff share the story of how Houston Heat was founded and how the club has evolved over the years.
We also took time to recognize the members who have been the foundation of Houston Heat over the years. A special thank you to Albert (“Pops”) for presenting our commemorative paddle awards, honoring our long-time members whose dedication and support have helped Houston Heat grow into the club it is today.
To everyone who has been part of Houston Heat’s journey—whether you’ve been with us since the beginning or just joined this season—thank you. Your passion, commitment, and support have made the past 20 years possible.
Here’s to the next 20 years of racing, friendships, and unforgettable memories. We’ll see you on the water! ❤️
