Texas Outlaw Challenge returns to town June 19 - 23
Jun 03, 2019 09:31AM ● By John Ennis
The Texas Outlaw Challenge, the top annual high-performance boat event in Texas and one of the most respected in North America, returns to the Waterfront Capital of Texas for the twelfth installment this month for an action-packed weekend plus of activities on and off of the water.
Every year it seems the event couldn’t get any bigger, better or more dynamic, but event founder Paul Robinson always proves his team is up for the challenge with some new tweaks and additions to the schedule. For example, one year they added the now annual Thursday night “STAMPEDE Street Party” in Kemah’s entertainment district. This serves as a great social to kickoff the heart of the weekend activities and it also allows the general public an up-close and personal look at millions and millions in jaw-dropping horsepower for land and sea via an impressive collection of car, bike, truck and boat displays. Another popular past addition to the event schedule is the spectacular “SHOTGUN Parade” of boats through the Kemah/Clear Lake Channel in advance of Saturday’s big “GUNSLINGER Poker Run.” Seeing, and hearing, this awe-inspiring formation of high-performance boats work their way past the Kemah Boardwalk is truly a must-witness event. More recently, in 2017, the event worked a deal with the U.S. Coast Guard and the seven municipalities (Seabrook, Nassau Bay, Kemah, El Lago, Pasadena, Clear Lake Shores, League City) touching Clear Lake to move the popular Friday “National SHOOT-OUT Championship Competition” from the open waters of Galveston Bay to the protected and viewing-friendly waters of Clear Lake. This eliminated the need to catch a boat ride out into the bay to watch some of the most dynamic action of the weekend as spectators were able to witness the action from the shores of Clear Lake, opening yet another aspect of the weekend to a wider audience.
Every year it seems the event couldn’t get any bigger, better or more dynamic, but event founder Paul Robinson always proves his team is up for the challenge with some new tweaks and additions to the schedule. For example, one year they added the now annual Thursday night “STAMPEDE Street Party” in Kemah’s entertainment district. This serves as a great social to kickoff the heart of the weekend activities and it also allows the general public an up-close and personal look at millions and millions in jaw-dropping horsepower for land and sea via an impressive collection of car, bike, truck and boat displays. Another popular past addition to the event schedule is the spectacular “SHOTGUN Parade” of boats through the Kemah/Clear Lake Channel in advance of Saturday’s big “GUNSLINGER Poker Run.” Seeing, and hearing, this awe-inspiring formation of high-performance boats work their way past the Kemah Boardwalk is truly a must-witness event. More recently, in 2017, the event worked a deal with the U.S. Coast Guard and the seven municipalities (Seabrook, Nassau Bay, Kemah, El Lago, Pasadena, Clear Lake Shores, League City) touching Clear Lake to move the popular Friday “National SHOOT-OUT Championship Competition” from the open waters of Galveston Bay to the protected and viewing-friendly waters of Clear Lake. This eliminated the need to catch a boat ride out into the bay to watch some of the most dynamic action of the weekend as spectators were able to witness the action from the shores of Clear Lake, opening yet another aspect of the weekend to a wider audience.
Bringing more events that are accessible to the general public, not just the boaters coming from all over the globe, is always a priority for Robinson and his staff. This year, Wednesday’s “SHOOTER Pre-Party” will kick off the schedule in a now home, Seabrook’s Barge 295 (formerly the Turtle Club) and will be open to the public. As always Friday night’s “Miss OUTLAW Bikini Contest” will be open to the public, but this year will be split between two waterfront venues (Cabo and Barge 295) in order to better handle the overfill crowds arriving by land and sea. The public will also be welcome to the first (Crazy Alan’s Swamp Shack) and last (Topwater Grill) stop of the STEEL HORSE STAMPEDE Bike & Car Rally and Poker Run on Sunday to close out the weekend.
One new addition to the schedule that will be exclusive to guests, sponsors, VIPS and participants is the “OUTLAWS to the MAX Gala & Awards Ceremony” at the huge Marine Max waterfront showroom and marina in Seabrook. “Because the event has gotten so big, the challenge has become which venues can accommodate you,” Robinson explained. “We like to enjoy each other’s company, along with all of our new friends, as a group, but we’ve never been able to do that in a big finale. Outlaws to the Max will allow us to extend our hospitality to everybody. It will allow us to do a grand Casino Night with live entertainment.”
Check out the opposite page for a complete lineup of events coming this month for the 12th Annual Texas Outlaw Challenge.
The impact that the Texas Outlaw Challenge makes locally (both in terms of economic impact and supporting local charities) grows every year. The event has donated more than $100,000 since 2008 including $50,000 donated to Harvey Relief through generous event participant and sponsor donations. The proceeds have helped the following local charities: Shriners Children’s Hospital, The Bridge Over Troubled Waters Women’s Shelter, Boys & Girls Harbor, Clear Creek Environmental Foundation, Kemah Lions Club, Seabrook Rotary, Seabrook Marine Group, Galveston-Houston Families Exploring Down Syndrome, and various Veterans groups. The event also has a substantial economic impact that is estimated at well over $1 million each year with a more significant impact anticipated in 2019.
