Windsurfing » Tatiana Howard's Offical Blog

Tatiana Howard's Offical Blog (15 unread)

Good day

Posted: October 31st, 2009, 3:30am CET by Tatiana Howard

Today we had really good conditions for windsurfing. The past couple days have been super calm or gusty offshore winds, but today was great! I loved it! The waves were a good size, the wind was steady, and the sun was shining.
23

Posted: October 27th, 2009, 7:32pm CET by Tatiana Howard

Happy Bappy Be - Diddle Li’ Day to me! I am now 23! : )

Thanks for all the birthday wishes!

photo by: pritchardimaging.com
fishin’ for the sun

Posted: October 25th, 2009, 10:52pm CET by Tatiana Howard
NEW D.R. Butterfly Video

Posted: October 21st, 2009, 10:58pm CEST by Tatiana Howard

The Dominican Republic Butterfly Effect 2009 video is now online! The 1st Dominican Republic Butterfly Effect and 12th event overall took place this past July. We had a great turn out of 30 women and girls. The day started with a beach clean up on the Cabarete beach. The conditions were light so I taught a intro SUP (stand-up paddle) lesson and we were all off! Everyone picked up stand-up paddling very quickly. After we had some nice snacks provided by local cafes and at night we had the closing ceremony. We had a huge raffle at the ending ceremony and raised money for the DREAM PROJECT. It was a great event and we are working on the 2nd Annual Butterfly Effect Dominican Republic. For more pics of the event and all the other Butterfly Effects visit www.betheeffect.com.

Thank you Charly and Michelle for putting together the fun clip.

Butterfly Effect Cabarete 2009 from charly on Vimeo.
South Side Swell

Posted: October 20th, 2009, 5:43am CEST by Tatiana Howard

There was a little bump on the south side over these past couple days. It is rare to have a south swell like this during the start of winter. We took advantage of it and headed over to see what kind of waves were breaking. It was fun, maybe head high( if your lucky) in Lahaina and I heard it was bigger on Wailea/Kihei side. It was an overall fun session, but with the inconsistent waves we had to be very very patient and wait for the good ones!
Tracy Kraft Photography

Posted: October 16th, 2009, 10:17pm CEST by Tatiana Howard

Wow! What a fun winter! Day after day there has been some many fun rides. My arms are so sore, but I can’t help but paddle out for another session. The pain goes away on the first waves, so that’s good. Tracy Kraft was out there again taking some awesome shots.
Surf & Surf & Surf

Posted: October 15th, 2009, 10:27pm CEST by Tatiana Howard

It has been a solid week of clean, glassy fun surf! This picture was taken by Tracy Kraft during another one of my morning surf sessions. Thanks Tracy!
Windgirl.com Interview

Posted: October 14th, 2009, 4:14am CEST by Tatiana Howard

Interview: Tatiana Howard Madame Butterfly

The Butterfly Effect is spreading around the world - congratulations! But what’s next?

Yes, the Butterfly Effect continues to spread its’ wings to all corners of the world. It is very exciting to see where the next effect develops. We have just finished with the first Butterfly Effect trip which was in Tahiti this past September. It went over extremely well and we are looking forward to making more trips in addition to one-day downwind adventures. Juliana Shelefis now organizing the next event in Israel and then we will both meet in December/January for the Brazil 3rd Annual B.E. event. The 2010 schedule will be out soon but at the looks of it, it won’t be slowing down at all with bigger and better events. Be sure to check out the website www.betheeffect.com to view all the official events that are coming up.

Some sceptics might argue that - especially with girls doing SUP only - there might in the end not be too many benefits for the sport of WINDSURFING. What do you think? Are all these sports (surf, windsurf, kiteboard, SUP) equal from your point of view?

I think women getting out in the water no matter the sport is a good thing. I started off just surfing and I loved the water so much that I wanted to be out there in every kind of condition. Surfing lead me to windsurfing, then I had to try kiting, and stand-up paddling. I think SUP is a great intro into water sports that will benefit windsurfing and kiting in the end.

You seem to be an excellent organizer! What kind of job are you dreaming of?

I am living my dream job of being an event producer in an event that I am really passionate about. I love how the Butterfly Effect is not only promoting women in water sports but gets involved with the communities that it goes to. In the last effect we “butterflies” had several days of teaching the kids of Tahiti how to do windsurfing and kite-surfing. We also did clinics for women and taught them new techniques and tricks. When we are able to give back to the community we visit and at the same time enjoy the local surf breaks and wind, it is a double bonus!

What do you think about competitive windsurfing, especially the (woman) PWA tour and it’s future?

I think competitive windsurfing is good for the sport. The women on the tour are doing a great job. They are really pushing the level and encouraging girls to keep riding and do their best. I would like to see more women be a part of the PWA and more support from sponsors towards women. I am hoping that The Butterfly Effect can be foundation of getting more women active in windsurfing and thus have more women be involved with the PWA. The Butterfly Effect brings more women out on the water to just have fun and that’s where improvements for a sport has to begin, with just having fun. From this foundation it will continue to benefit the sport and its’ contest because more women on the water will result in more girls continuing the sport to a competitive level.

You are also very professional in getting (and keeping) sponsors. Any tips, any advice for our younger “windgirls”?

If you are begin to receive sponsorships, make sure you treat it as a job. Stay on top of it… fill your sponsors in with what your doing, trips you go on, pictures, contests, and ask for feedback. It’s great to build a close relationship with your sponsors and be appreciative of them and their support of you.

Finally: What do you think about our new “World of Windgirls” website and community?

I think “World of Windgirls” is great. There are always cool things for water girls to check out like new blog posts, pictures, wind events from around the world, and friends that share the same passion of water sports. It is a great opportunity for water women in the world to show what their home break is like or to share their dreams of where they would like to go next. I also like it because you can keep in touch with the windsurfing friends you meet along the beach! Thanks World of Windgirls!
Windgirls.com Interview

Posted: October 14th, 2009, 4:14am CEST by Tatiana Howard

Interview: Tatiana Howard Madame Butterfly with www.windgirls.com Photos by: pritchardimaging.com

The Butterfly Effect is spreading around the world - congratulations! But what’s next?

Yes, the Butterfly Effect continues to spread its’ wings to all corners of the world. It is very exciting to see where the next effect develops. We have just finished with the first Butterfly Effect trip which was in Tahiti this past September. It went over extremely well and we are looking forward to making more trips in addition to one-day downwind adventures. Juliana Shelefis now organizing the next event in Israel and then we will both meet in December/January for the Brazil 3rd Annual B.E. event. The 2010 schedule will be out soon but at the looks of it, it won’t be slowing down at all with bigger and better events. Be sure to check out the website www.betheeffect.com to view all the official events that are coming up.

Some sceptics might argue that - especially with girls doing SUP only - there might in the end not be too many benefits for the sport of WINDSURFING. What do you think? Are all these sports (surf, windsurf, kiteboard, SUP) equal from your point of view?

I think women getting out in the water no matter the sport is a good thing. I started off just surfing and I loved the water so much that I wanted to be out there in every kind of condition. Surfing lead me to windsurfing, then I had to try kiting, and stand-up paddling. I think SUP is a great intro into water sports that will benefit windsurfing and kiting in the end.

You seem to be an excellent organizer! What kind of job are you dreaming of?

I am living my dream job of being an event producer in an event that I am really passionate about. I love how the Butterfly Effect is not only promoting women in water sports but gets involved with the communities that it goes to. In the last effect we “butterflies” had several days of teaching the kids of Tahiti how to do windsurfing and kite-surfing. We also did clinics for women and taught them new techniques and tricks. When we are able to give back to the community we visit and at the same time enjoy the local surf breaks and wind, it is a double bonus!

What do you think about competitive windsurfing, especially the (woman) PWA tour and it’s future?

I think competitive windsurfing is good for the sport. The women on the tour are doing a great job. They are really pushing the level and encouraging girls to keep riding and do their best. I would like to see more women be a part of the PWA and more support from sponsors towards women. I am hoping that The Butterfly Effect can be foundation of getting more women active in windsurfing and thus have more women be involved with the PWA. The Butterfly Effect brings more women out on the water to just have fun and that’s where improvements for a sport has to begin, with just having fun. From this foundation it will continue to benefit the sport and its’ contest because more women on the water will result in more girls continuing the sport to a competitive level.

You are also very professional in getting (and keeping) sponsors. Any tips, any advice for our younger “windgirls”?

If you are begin to receive sponsorships, make sure you treat it as a job. Stay on top of it… fill your sponsors in with what your doing, trips you go on, pictures, contests, and ask for feedback. It’s great to build a close relationship with your sponsors and be appreciative of them and their support of you.

Finally: What do you think about our new “World of Windgirls” website and community?

I think “World of Windgirls” is great. There are always cool things for water girls to check out like new blog posts, pictures, wind events from around the world, and friends that share the same passion of water sports. It is a great opportunity for water women in the world to show what their home break is like or to share their dreams of where they would like to go next. I also like it because you can keep in touch with the windsurfing friends you meet along the beach! Thanks World of Windgirls!
Air Drop

Posted: October 11th, 2009, 9:26pm CEST by Tatiana Howard

We have had a growing swell these past couple of days. The wind was super calm which made some beautiful glassy days out on the water. Dave Baker caught a few pics and even my one big air drop! Everyone including myself thought I was going to eat it, but I actually made it! I totally remember this moment..
This AM

Posted: October 9th, 2009, 2:14am CEST by Tatiana Howard

Photo by Dave Baker
Colleen Hanley Artwork + The Butterfly Effect + Focus Surfboards

Posted: October 7th, 2009, 1:47am CEST by Tatiana Howard

Colleen, The BE, and Focus collaborated to make board art! Colleen is an amazing artist and surfer! She has done numerous paintings for many well-known surf companies/magazines. She donated her time and painted the Focus surfboard to support The Butterfly Effect and promote women in water sports.

Check out her new website with more of her pieces at www.colleenhanley.net

Thanks Colleen!
The Butterfly Effect is in full affect!

Posted: October 5th, 2009, 9:32pm CEST by Tatiana Howard

Watch out! The Butterfly Effect is becoming unstoppable! : )

Good work Juliana in TBE Israel.
Updated Press Page

Posted: October 2nd, 2009, 11:57pm CEST by Tatiana Howard

Click the PRESS link to the right to view all.
Sara Bella Maui - Sarongs

Posted: October 2nd, 2009, 9:40am CEST by Tatiana Howard

Check out SaraBellaMaui.com.

Below is just a sample of the many beautiful sarongs she makes. She styled us on the beach in Tahiti and were great to keep wearing through the night! It is the type of sarong you can dress up or down..great for everyday and any day!