Global Women’s Water Movement Returns to Maui’s North Shore

[Toby]

Global Women’s Water Movement Returns to Maui’s North Shore

Registration Now Underway for The 5th Annual Butterfly Effect Maui, taking place on Saturday, May 7th, 2011 at Ho’okipa Beach Park

The 5th Annual Butterfly Effect, an event that has spawned a global water women’s movement, returns to Maui on May 7th at Ho’okipa Beach Park. Founded by local professional windsurfer, Tatiana Howard, The Butterfly Effect unites women in their passion for the ocean and healthy living through a non-competitive, five-mile down wind ocean adventure and beach clean up.

Female stand-up paddlers, windsurfers, kitesurfers, and paddlers of all levels are invited to participate in this free community and confidence-building event. Participants will begin the day at 8am working with Community Work Day and Friends of Ho’okipa with a shoreline litter pickup and native plant maintenance project.

Instructors from Paia Yoga will then lead the team in an oceanside yoga session to prepare for the start of the downwinder at 11am. The event concludes at Kanaha Beach Park at approximately 2pm with another beach cleanup and park beautification project. “We are proud to partner with the Butterfly Effect and help participants malama (care for) the beach parks that we depend on for recreation,” commented Rhiannon Chandler, Executive Director of Community Work Day Program. Cleanups at both parks are a part of Keep America Beautiful’s Great American Cleanup activities in Maui Nui and the Communities Putting Prevention to Work initiative which promotes physical activity.

“It has been a dream come true to launch The Butterfly Effect on Maui then take this event around the globe to places such as to Brazil, New Zealand, France, Hood River Oregon, Dominican Republic, Germany, Italy, Israel, Tahiti, Fiji, and Australia. My goal is to inspire all female water enthusiasts to nurture their relationship with the ocean and each other. This will help towards ensuring intergenerational sustainability of our pristine ocean environment for our future “keiki” to enjoy,” states Howard.

Following the downwind event, participants are then invited to a fashion show and closing ceremony at Thee Salon in Paia at 6pm. An after party at Charley’s in Paia at 9pm with DJ Jay P concludes the day’s festivities. There is a $10 admission charge to the after party.

While participation is open to water women of all skill levels, Howard also points out, “Maui’s north shore is an advanced water sport location so we do request that all participants need to have had experience in their water sport and 100% confidence in their abilities to complete the 5-mile downwind.”

To register for the event, go to Flatbread Pizza in Paia on May 5th between 5-7pm. The event is free, but with a $20 donation, you will also receive a goodie bag from sponsors, an event t-shirt, 1 raffle ticket, and free admission and a drink ticket for the after party at Charley’s.
The 5th Annual Butterfly Effect is made possible through the generous support of the Maui Real Estate Team and Matiko Shoes. For more information, go to www.betheeffect.com.

Detailed Schedule of Events
8:00 am – Meet and sign in at Green Banana Cafe in Paia
9:00am – Ho’okipa Beach Clean up, weed pulling and native planting with Friends of Ho’okipa and Community Work Day
10:00am – Yoga by Paia Yoga, event blessing and preparation of water sport equipment
11:00am – Begin launch and downwinder from Ho’okipa Beach Park
12:30pm – Break half way at Sprecks Beach
2:00pm – Land at Canoe Hale Kanaha Park beautification- Conduct beach cleanup and park
6:00pm – Butterfly Effect Fashion Show and closing ceremony at Thee Salon in Paia
9:00pm – After party at Charley’s in Paia $10 cover