Empowering Women and Giving Back in Cabarete
Cabarete, Dominican Republic July 15, 2011. The Butterfly Effect will land in Cabarete on July 28-30th, encouraging girls and women of all ages to get out on the ocean and show the world they that can surf with the best of them. The event is fun and non-competitive, and it aims to instill self-confidence and a love for the ocean in women of all skill levels. Local and visiting women will gather on the beach of Cabarete to complete a 4km downwind ride from Cabarete Bay to Playa Encuentro. The women will be windsurfing, kite surfing, kayaking or stand-up paddling. The event includes safety and stretching sessions, as well as food and gear from local sponsors, and fund-raising for local charities.
The Butterfly Effect began in Hawaii in 2007. The founder, Tatiana Howard, is an avid water woman who enjoys windsurfing, surfing, kite surfing, stand-up paddle boarding, and tow in surfing. This is the 5th year the event has taken place and the third year that Cabarete has hosted a Butterfly Effect. Since its inception, it has flown to Brazil, New Zealand, France, Hood River Oregon, Dominican Republic, Germany, Italy, Israel, Tahiti, Fiji, and Australia. The founder believes that water sports provide a healthy and fun lifestyle that give those who participate in them great happiness and self-confidence. She has been fortunate to be involved in these sports and wants to share and instill the lessons she has learned with women worldwide.
“Watersports have empowered, and inspired me to live out my hopes and dreams and giving back to surf communities worldwide is a passion I wish to share with many. Never underestimate the power of women to make change! “ Tatiana Howard, founder, The Butterfly Effect.
Giving back
Fundraising efforts associated with the Butterfly Effect will go to the DREAM Project. The Dominican Republic Education And Mentoring (DREAM) Project is a US 501c3 nonprofit organization that provides quality education for all children born into poverty in rural areas and small communities of the Dominican Republic. Our butterflies will participate with some of the DREAM Project kids in a group beach cleanup within Cabarete Bay.
Get involved
Registration for the event will be held at Cabarete Beach Houses on Thursday July 28th from 6:30pm–9:30pm. The event will begin at 11am on Saturday July 30th. All participants will meet at Vela Cabarete. A raffle and silent auction benefitting the event and The Dream Project will be held during the closing ceremony at Nikki Beach Cabarete on Saturday July 30th at 8pm.
