The first day on the mountain started off  a bit rusty.  It has already been a year since the last time I snowboarded and thought it was going to be easier to pick up again.  After a half day of getting used to it, I finally was able to ride down carving from toes to heels.   Snowboarding is such a great feeling.  Similar to surfing in some ways but can be so different at the same time. We had great sunny skies and fresh snow. Since the day was so beautiful we stayed up for hours until our legs and bodies couldn’t move anymore. Hopefully we will find some hot thermal pools to ease the pain for tomorrow.

This summer has been pretty busy with many trips to LAX airport! Just got back from the Dominican Republic, and now off to New Zealand.  I had a bit of time in California which was fun, but now I am packed for the winter season in New Zealand. Got to train up for the upcoming Butterfly Effect Snow Edition in March 2011!! Yes! Get ready! : )

Back in California now and lots going on! Today Red Bull held a Flugtag event.  They launched different contraptions into the water off a dock. It is a crazy idea but kind of fun to watch.

Just another crazy video I made.. a little tRipPy!! : )

Be sure to check out The Amber-Dune Butterfly Effect Video too by clicking HERE

Tatiana Howard in Dominican Republic 2010 from Tatiana Howard on Vimeo.

Why was I in Dominican Republic?! Watch the video below!

Amber Dune Butterfly Effect Cabarete 2010 from Tatiana Howard on Vimeo.

I seriously love moto conchos!   In the Dominican Republic the driving there is insane!  People drive all over the street, run red lights, stop on green lights, don’t pay attention to lights if there are any, park where they wish, turn when they wish, pass on either side, any thing goes.  It sounds scarey to imagine getting on the road with anything less than a car to protect you, but we jump on tiny little motos to get around.   As soon as you jump on a motoconcho the driving mess around you makes sense all of sudden and you just flow with it.  I love moto conchos! I wish I could take a moto concho back home!

Mama Juana is some kind of concoction made in the Dominican Republic.  It is  a mix of honey, herbs, wine, and rum..and maybe a few other things that sit in a bottle for a while until its ready. Sounds crazy but it actually really good, at least the one I tried was.  We were told you can never have the same  Mama Juana and every where you go in the Dominican Republic the Mama Juana will be a little different.   We drank ours and all of sudden were doing funny things like putting shrimp on our fingers! So, beware when your in the D.R. and take your first sip of Mama Juana! ; )

The Cabarete BE has officially completed the 2010 Butterfly Effect World Tour. 55 women and girls came out with some great energy, and together with the community and kids from the DREAM Project collected 40 bags of garbage off the beach! After that the women all took to the ocean and completed the 4km downwinder to Playa Encuentro. We will never forget the looks of happiness and accomplishment in the eyes of our inspiring female athletes as we all arrived safely. The butterflies didn’t stop there. Together with your help, and many generous contributions, we managed to raise $2500.00 USD for the DREAM Project. This year’s event has been bigger and better and it is with great happiness that we are already looking forward to planning next year’s event.

Christin Birkhan took the day photos, and Hege Holt took the evening event photos. Jens Baur also contributed day photos. Our video was shot and edited by Imperial Film Cabarete/ Leroy.

Check out the super green windsurf magazine online! Inside you can find more of my Fiji trip too!

http://viewer.zmags.com/publication/46f9b869#/46f9b869/90

Thanks To Our Butterfly Effect Sponsors of Dominican Republic

The Butterfly Effect would not be possible without the help of the  local community in Cabarete, Dominican Republic. The sponsors play a huge role in making an event like this possible and available for  water women worldwide.  All of the beautiful smiles and laughter we shared at Encuentro would not have happened without them!

So, if you are in Cabarete or going to go visit, make sure you stop by and  check out thier businesses. They cover a wide range of everything you need in Cabarete.

Mahalo - Gracias - Merci - Danke - THANK YOU!

Amber Dune Butterfly Effect Cabarete 2010 raised $2500.00 USD for The DREAM Project!

Main Sponsor -AmberDune Resort & Spa

Peahi Sponsors -CabareteBeach Houses, GranCabanna, EHKiteboarding

Hookipa Sponsors - Cabarete Massage Therapy, Cabarete Building Services, 4TW-Dominican Wedding Planner.com, Fred Joyas, Nikki Beach Cabarete, Vela Windsurf Center, Dare2Fly Kite School, Carib Wind Center, Matiko Shoes, DaKine, Jonathon Wunderlich, Joe Deitch

Kanaha Sponsors - KiteClub Café, Club Natalie Simon, Cabarete Language Institute, El Magnifico, 321 Take off, Claro Café, LEK– Laurel Eastman Kiteboarding, Onno’s, MiGym, David Winship, Kaenon, Encargo Group, Plus Magazine

Contributors/ Donations to the Raffle and Silent Auction

Jason Matthews – Villa Castellamonte, Mr.Peter Brown, Mr. Jean Bergeron, Gordon Gannon/Ocean Point, Catherine DeLaura/ Casa Dorado, Kite Beach Hotel, Thai Restaurant Chili, Cabaha, Pomodoro, AlohaCafé, Kana Rapai, Taino Jewelery Shop, Zach Greig, Kaiceitos Circus, Karina Jensen, Cabarete Spinning Studio, Coco Angel, Ruben Gonzalez, VoyVoy, Morph Kiteboarding, DREAM Project

Photography - Christin Birkhan, Hege Holt

Video - Jose Leroy - Imperial Film Cabarete

Stretching- Karine Bergeron

Landing crew - Bill Grigoropoulos, Zach Greig, Richie form Kite Club, German Paz, Anton Lvov, Ezequiel, Stewart

Safety Boat - Paul Harris

Raffle ticket staplers, goody bag fillers, flower distributors and landing check in - Mary, Deirdre and Lily Slattery

Apartment lender - Julian Kidd