Windsurfing » Tatiana Howard's Offical Blog

Tatiana Howard's Offical Blog (20 unread)

Kite Beach Cabarete

Posted: July 29th, 2009, 8:45pm CEST by Tatiana Howard

All over the world there seems to be a “Kite Beach”. This beach in Cabarete was the busiest kite beach I have ever seen. I haven’t kited for a while and was a little nervous with so many kites flying around, but it turned out to be a great day on the water.
Dream Project Cabarete

Posted: July 28th, 2009, 1:53am CEST by Tatiana Howard

Volunteering for a program like this is so gratifying. I have to say my voice is officially gone and my energy has vanished. Explaining the games and lessons in spanish and trying to keep it exciting while holding the kids attention and have them corporate and understand is very exhausting but none the less fun! The Dream Project has done an amazing job at making a difference here in Cabarete, Dominican Republic. I truly feel so good after this day of going there and helping out. We wish we had more time to spend with the kids. Just from this experience I have learned a lot and I hope they enjoyed it as much as I did.

If you want to donate to a great organization please chack out their website.

www.dominicandream.org

I am so pleased to say that together with The Butterfly Effect and Dream Project raffle we raised 11,000 pesos from the night of The Butterfly Effect raffle. I think it is a great start and am extremely happy to see this double or triple for next year! We also had a chance to help out with the Learning Center of Cabarete. Thanks to all the sponsors that helped make such a successful event:

Dream Project - Cabarete, Dominican from Tatiana Howard on Vimeo.
LOVE the moto-concho

Posted: July 27th, 2009, 1:47pm CEST by Tatiana Howard

The moto-concho is how we get everywhere. I love it! We just have to be careful not to get a ”Dominican Tattoo”. A “Dominican tattoo” is when you get a huge burn from the hot motor by getting off the wrong side of the moto. Many tourists remain with a scar on their leg that will always remind them of the Dominican Republic. So remember, if your ever here and ride a moto make sure you get off and on the LEFT side!
Bundle of Butterflies - the 12th event

Posted: July 24th, 2009, 5:19pm CEST by Tatiana Howard

On July 22nd @ 9am was the sign up at Vela Windsurf Center of warm welcomes of all types of Butterflies around the world coming together to Cabarete to enjoy the excitement of one thing in common, the love for water sports. Michelle Bourdeou, the local butterfly, found out about The BUtterfly Effect and had a vision of having one in her home town of Cabarete. Thanks to her hard work and months of planning, the day of the effect began to unfold more beautifully then either of us could have imagined. We had all types from experts to beginners working together as one big group to prove that ” Girls are out there on the water having fun and enjoying what life and ocean sports have to offer!”.

As the girls grabbed their Dakine lycras and butterfly clips they all looked out on the beach and wanted to make a difference for the environment with a Beach Clean Up. The girls just grabbed the gloves and trash bags and started cleaning with the Dream Project. Believe it or not, you might look out and see that the beach looks clean but underneath the white sand is the a lot trash. You can tell that us butterflies love to keep our beaches looking fresh.

After the wonderful introduction of SUP by Tatiana, we all worked together to make this effect work. As a big bundle of butterflies, we helped each other grab boards and work together get out in the water with motivated each other to stay together and just have fun!

From kayaks to SUP, lots of laughs and smiles is what you can see in each others faces. Across the water would be girls screaming to each other, “You can Do it..keep it up!”

Flapping our wings together as one big group of girls is what kept up working together and to just have fun in Cabarete!

Ending with photos and yummy treats by the following sponsors is how butterflies love to end the day of fun and laughter!

Words by Melissa Brooks

More pics can be found on the official Butterfly Effect website (www.betheeffect.com) or at our official event photographers website (www.dreambuzz.com).

Butterfly Effect Cabarete Facts

A total of 30 women participated in the event

The participants ranged in age from 11-46 years old.

Nationalities represented included: Dominican, American, Canadian, German, Swiss, French, Norweigian, Finnish, Dutch, Austrian, Serbian, British.

Participants water sport experience ranges from 1 year to 20 years.

Present and Former PKRA athletes present included Audrey Meyer ranked 5th on the 2008 tour and Laurel Eastman 2002-3 Tour.
Monique Meijer (Dutch/Bonaire) and Michelle Bourdeau (Can./ DR) are currently competing in Caribbean windsurf slalom events.
Main Event Sponsors are Da Kine, Naish, Matiko, and Cabarete Beach Houses.

Local Sponsors and contributors included Cabarete Villas, Cabarete East, Cabarete Language Institute, Cabarete Massage Therapy, Carib Wind Center, Claro Restaurant, Dream Buz, Dream Project, Fred Joyas, Iguana Mama, IKO, Kaenon, Kite Club Cafe, LAX Restaurant, Laurel Eastman Kite Boarding, MiGym, Plus Magazine, 4T Tours, Trips, Treks and Travel, Vela Windsurf Center.
Cabarete Classic

Posted: July 23rd, 2009, 6:30pm CEST by Tatiana Howard

The wind has been pretty light these past two days but it doesn’t stop anyone from getting on the water doing something. This beach is full of kiters and windsurfers. The Cabarete Classic has been slalom so far and the freestyle division should be coming up today or tomorrow depending on the conditions.
D.R. BE! Success!

Posted: July 23rd, 2009, 5:19pm CEST by Tatiana Howard

More pics to come! visit www.betheeffect.com gallery!
Bienviendo

Posted: July 23rd, 2009, 1:19am CEST by Tatiana Howard

WHat a day!! Still feeling jet lagged..we are hanging on to make the best out of our fantastic trip! It’s about 8:13 pm and we are getting ready for dinner! They have dinner later in the DR . Time is usually not an issue..no one really worries about being later or early here, because about 85% of the people are late but it does not matter because we are in paradise! p.s. We went grocery shopping this morning, it was fun, but we have no clue what happened to our bread! we were both craving a sandwich for lunch but when we got home - no bread!! ha ha. so instead we had a yummy mango with tropical yogurt!! -Melissa B.

Cabarete Beach Houses from Tatiana Howard on Vimeo.
travelin’ #1

Posted: July 21st, 2009, 5:39pm CEST by Tatiana Howard

DiRtY Socks in MIAMI from Tatiana Howard on Vimeo.
To Miami..

Posted: July 21st, 2009, 5:13pm CEST by Tatiana Howard

Betcha’ didn’t think airplanes and ports could be so entertaining!

The new and improved cheetah strap earphone all in one! Be sure to look for it on your next flight!

Modeled below is Brooks Design hair piece, the BE tiara. Always looking on the bright side!

This is all work no play.
From Los Angelos

Posted: July 20th, 2009, 4:35pm CEST by Tatiana Howard
From Los Angeles

Posted: July 20th, 2009, 4:35pm CEST by Tatiana Howard
Matiko

Posted: July 20th, 2009, 6:06am CEST by Tatiana Howard

Matiko has the cutest flats and so many comfortable heels right now! Matiko is my fashion footwear sponsor. Be sure to check out their new line here! www.matikofootwear.com

A couple of my favorites are the Micols, Paley, and the most comfortable..Moira!
Germany B.E. News

Posted: July 17th, 2009, 6:55am CEST by Tatiana Howard

The Butterfly Effect continues to develop in cities worldwide. It has been created into more that just a windsurf downwinder on Maui. It has grown into an international water women movement. This movement is not limited by age, talent, nor sport and is judgement free. With our open minds and creative energy, women in watersports are getting together like never before. Just a couple days after the successful event in Hood River, Orgeon, the B.E. unraveled in Kiel, Germany. To view more photos and information on the Butterfly Effect Germany please click the link below.

Big thanks to our Peahi Top Sponsors, Focus Surf and Dakine. Thanks to our local “butterfly” organizers Marie and Andrea, and the other wing of the Butterfly Effect, Juliana Shelef for being at the opposite side of the world of me managing the event in Germany.

~CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE BUTTERFLY EFFECTS’ NEW WEBSITE AND BLOG~

Photo by Erick Gonzalez
California fun

Posted: July 15th, 2009, 4:13am CEST by Tatiana Howard

It has been really nice here in California and we got to take some water toys out!

Since the surf has been non-existent we had to find a way to make some of our own waves. I was only wishing I had these toys in Hawaii for the winter swells!
Cabarete, here we come!

Posted: July 13th, 2009, 5:50pm CEST by Tatiana Howard

Thanks to all the sponsors that are making this event happen. Especially big thanks to Cabarete Beach Houses, Dakine, and Naish for their support. Anyone interested in attending please pre-sign up a the Vela Windsurf Center. See you next Wednesday!
Kaenon Sunglasses

Posted: July 10th, 2009, 4:02am CEST by Tatiana Howard

Summer is a great time to catch up with sponsors, especially if they are based on the mainland. I got to visit the new Kaenon headquarters in Costa Mesa and meet up with my team manager. He showed me a couple of the really nice new shades of the season. I really like the Georgia and Calais, but there are so many new cool styles to choose from. Check out their website. www.kaeonon.com
Biking the Boardwalk

Posted: July 9th, 2009, 12:18am CEST by Tatiana Howard

Its is always fun to bike along the beach in California with the ultimate beach cruisers, especially with my bro and his fiance!
Hood River Butterfly Effect 2009

Posted: July 4th, 2009, 2:09am CEST by Tatiana Howard

The first ever Butterfly Effect Hood River took place Thursday, July 2nd. The wind never turned up but it didn’t stop the girls from doing the same. We were a group of 28 that jumped on SUP boards after our yoga stretch/warm up at the Event Site. Please be sure to check out more photos of this event and the Germany event on The Butterfly Effects NEW UPDATED WEBSITE.
Super sandy sand dunes

Posted: July 3rd, 2009, 6:27am CEST by Tatiana Howard

It was hard to walk against the winds blowing down this sand dune. I think this one is actually bigger than the ones in Jericoacoara, Brazil. We made it to the top and ran to the bottom. FUn fun!

Kiwanda Sand Dune from Tatiana Howard on Vimeo.
Kiwanda

Posted: July 1st, 2009, 5:38pm CEST by Tatiana Howard

The water was cold! 46 degrees. Brr! It was my first time surfing in booties, gloves and a hoodie! It actually wasn’t too bad. I could surf for just over an hour before my fingers and toes felt like they were burning and freezing at the same time.