The Butterfly Effect is a non competitive event where women are joining beauty and strength to empower each other through water sports (windsurfing, kiteboarding, paddle boarding, kayaking and surfing). The event is designed to give every Butterfly more confidence, joy, and skill in her board riding, as well as her navigation through everyday life.

The Butterfly Effect began in Hawaii in 2007 by water women, Tatiana Howard. Since then it Tatiana have flown to organize the event in Brazil, New Zealand, France, United States (Oregon and Hawaii), Germany, Tahiti, Fiji, Israel, Australia AND Dominican Republic.

Michelle Bourdeau owner of Andari SPA has been the Cabarete co-ordinator and has put her love and energy to bring this event to Cabarete for now the 5th time.

The butterflies participated with some of the DREAM Project in a group beach cleanup. Environmental awareness, education, and community give-back activities has a big part of each Butterfly Effect event.

After a delicious snack, Audrey Meyer invited all the butterflies to jump into the pool for a beautiful Warm Up/Yoga session prior entering the water and going for the 4km downwind ride from Cabarete Bay to Playa Encuentro.

The aim is to instill self-confidence and a love for the ocean in women of all skill levels. Big High 5 to all the beautiful butterflies who made this day amazing!

The Butterfly Effect brings women together for noncompetitive ocean sport gatherings. The aim is to instill self-confidence and a love for the ocean in women of all skill levels by providing one-day downwind events.

Each year the event is getting bigger and better due to more and more sponsors. Thanks to this year sponsors for making this event possible. And BIG thank to Christin Birkhan and Sarah Son for the amazing pictures. You can see more pictures on Christin’s page: Surfing Chica.

The day ended with a big party at the Millennium Resort and Spa and an action sell where all the profit went to the DREAM Project. The Dominican Republic Education And Mentoring (DREAM) Project is a nonprofit organization that provides quality education for all children born into poverty in rural areas and small communities of the Dominican Republic.