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by : Jenna Goldberg

Tatiana, you and Juliana started The Butterfly Effect in Hawaii in 2007. How did the two of you come together and organize this epic adventure?

I was doing the professional windsurfing circuit for a couple years, and there just wasn’t too much happening for the women. There were a bunch of contests happening for men in windsurf and all around waterman contests, but many of the events for women were canceled or not offered. I knew that there were a bunch of water girls just like myself that would be interested in doing an event if it was there for them. I told my friend Juliana my idea of doing a downwind (5 miles) on the north shore of Maui. She loved the idea and we started to brainstorm about the event.We designed it in the way they we liked it, which was non-competitive, fun, helping one another, raising money for a charity, and bringing awareness towards the ocean and keeping it beautiful. We invited all girls on Maui who kitesurf, windsurf, SUP, and even kayak! After having a great successful event and positive feedback we took The Butterfly Effect to Brazil and haven’t stopped traveling the globe with it since.

Where did the name “The Butterfly Effect” come from?

We were just sitting watching the surf with my brother and discussing our new event that we wanted to do. We were thinking of different names but none fit. All of a sudden a butterfly flew by and “The Butterfly Effect” was called out! Right away we all knew that “The Butterfly Effect” was just right. It has a few different meanings and they all matched what we had in mind for the event and us. A small shift in the mind, atmosphere, or way of thinking can change into something huge. Another explanation is that when you look at a butterfly, that second you glance over to look changes the rest of your life and the pattern of it. So, by one girl being a part of a positive “effect” will help The Butterfly Effects’ goals of raising awareness for the ocean, promoting women in water sports, helping one another, helping local charities, and learning new health tips.

Why did you decide to incorporate Yoga into your clinics?

The Butterfly Effect is not only about the water sports, but includes yoga and fitness. Incorporating yoga helps promote our overall health and awareness. It is also injury prevention, meditation, and growth for our body, mind, and souls.

How would you describe windsurfing or kite surfing to a surfer that has only paddled out on a board?

The wind brings on another element to surfing. The added kite or sail makes the surfboard just a little more dynamic, intense, and powerful. It actually isn’t the same surfboard you use for surfing but somewhat similar. I am fortunate to know how to do all three sports and each brings a completely different feeling. I appreciate them all because you get to be out in the water whether it’s wavy or windy. I would recommend if you have wind in your area to try out the wind sports. With a little practice you can pick it up easily and have a great new sport to do when there are no waves and only wind!I’ve heard some kite-boarding horror stories. How dangerous is the sport, really?

The sport was very dangerous a couple years ago, but now there are many advancements in the safety system. The kites are built differently now and are totally user friendly. Many girls across the globe are getting into it. If you do start just get a lesson at a local kite shop. If you go with no clue of how it works than it becomes dangerous. With a lesson you will learn all about the kite and it will be safe and fun!

Did you grow up surfing with a lot of your girlfriends?

I didn’t get into surfing until I was 16 years old. My dad and brothers did it once in a while but never really pushed me to do it.

My girlfriend and I just started to go out when it was really big with no one out and catch the inside white wash.

We thought it was great and we caught so many (not that we had a choice, we had turn around and go with the huge white wall coming at us!). Every since then I was addicted and started to go out on normal size days and catch the actual wave from the peak and not just white wash. There are a handful girls that consistently go out whenever it’s good at Ho’okipa and we are very different with our own busy schedules, but we are all friends when we hit the water. It is fun.

Why did you feel that women should have their own clinics? Has an all-female environment helped you in learning water sports?

Most of my windsurfing, surfing, and kite surfing were taught to me by all my friends who are guys. I thought they taught me in an awesome way and improved so quickly because of them. In the BE we have both pro watermen and water women there to help with clinics and give tips. I believe that when you are ready for a teacher, the right teacher will appear … sometimes a man, sometimes a woman. At different times in our water world journey, or life journey, depending on our personality and our background, it requires different teachers to make the right match for us. Often times though, I think it is very helpful for many women to have another woman teach us. We can relate to each other well because we have similar ways of thinking, similar analogies, movements, and strengths.

Who are some of the interesting people that you’ve met on the road?

My Mexican family that helped me when I was by myself and my truck broke down in the middle of Baja after a surf trip, Tonio, the old Brazilian fisherman that would drop his dentures from laughing, and tell lots of funny stories, friendly New Zealanders that invited me and some friends to eat and have a hot shower, new found French friends that took me out to a cool old part of town to see the culture and way of life. There have been so many good-hearted people that have helped me so much wherever I have traveled and shown me so much culture and hospitality. It seems to me that whenever I step out in faith with just my boards and gratitude, it all comes out better than if I were to plan it every step of the way.

Do you travel by plane, train, automobile… ? How do you manage all of your gear on the road?

In order to travel from Maui, the only option is a plane. It is pretty tough these days to travel with not only a surfboard, but windsurf and kite gear! I try to organize some equipment with the local distributors so I don’t have to bring as much equipment, but being a professional windsurfer I need to have the newest equipment with me for photos and contests. All of us who travel with lots of gear find little tricks at the airports. Like in London International Airport they have the trolley with swivel wheels which is easier to get through the small doorways, and in Brazil they have the normal trolley but with bigger doorways so it’s not to hard to move it to the next baggage drop.

The Butterfly Effect has traveled internationally, how do you choose the event locations?

Usually the picked locations are because of a participant that loved the idea and event, and wants to do the same in their country. Some read about it in a magazine. They then contact me to see what it takes to have one in their town.

We have a certain way that we run a Butterfly Effect with certain guidelines, one including is that Juliana or I have to be present at each event and make sure it is ran how we have created it.

We want to keep the aloha feel to it. We have our own design team to make all our events unified but a bit different depending on each country. The demand of the event continues to grow so fast that we are now being picky on where each event will be and what location will be most beneficial and fun for all!

The photos on your blog are priceless! Are you playing around with a waterproof camera while you surf?

Ya, I have a waterproof Canon that I love. It takes great photos on land and in the water. And for me its important that it captures the moment when I want and doesn’t delay. This camera does just that. Love it. I tie it on my bikini and take it out surfing. I went through a few already so I am learning to be a bit more careful now. I really want to get my hands on the GoPro camera. I think I could do a lot of fun stuff with it and could be easier to handle in the surf.

What are some of your essential travel items? Any products that you recommend for traveling water women?

Lots of hair ties, I lose them but need them all the time.

De-tangler is a must; with out it I will not be able to brush my hair after a long day surfing.

Dakine luggage is the best not only because it never breaks, but also because you can spot it easily on the baggage belt when it comes off the plane

Dress and a Jacket, got to be prepared for cold and hot weather no matter what the typical forecast is… you will always be fooled.

Kaenon sunglasses, makes everyday a beautiful one with the polarized lens

Naish water sport equipment is pretty essential. Couldn’t do what I do with out it!

What’s the wildest food that you’ve tasted while traveling?

I’m vegetarian so I try to eat food that I know what it is. Although, when I am traveling and the local tells me I got to try some random food of theirs, I usually take a tiny nibble or they will never stop asking me just to try. Just recently I tried what I though they said was a dessert from Mallorca, but I don’t know what it was, kind of sour sweet. It turned out to be pineapple (I think) with ground up beef meaty stuff...ahh! Not sure if I really liked it, but said “mmm” and slapped on a smile while I swallowed.

How did you get the professional water women involved?

Living on Maui there are many professional water athletes including water women. They are friends of mine, or friends of friends. Maui is small so word of mouth is strong. They hear about it, love the idea of The Butterfly Effect, and want to be a part of it. It is for the community and helping each other, so there is no reason not to be involved.

What are your favorite tricks, windsurfing and kite-surfing?

I really love just wave riding. It is the best feeling to windsurf a big wave with wind and then later the same day when the wind dies to go surf the same swell but with just a surfboard. The rush is so different but both so good. I also like to do forward flips, tabletops, and backloops.

What do you want water girls to take away from your clinics?

I want them to take away lots of confidence in themselves, to continue the water sport, awareness of taking care of the ocean that we all love, new knowledge of yoga and health, the feeling of reward by helping the local community and a smile to pass on to others.

What is the biggest obstacle that you have faced in making an all-women’s water-sports event, and how did you overcome it?

The sponsors are tough at times. In the beginning no one really got it and didn’t know if they wanted or how to support it. So my friend and I put in a lot of our own time and money to make it happen. Now, The Butterfly Effect has made an international statement and is in demand to continue across the globe. We just believed in our idea and kept the positive vibration with it. Good things succeed naturally and don’t have to be pushed. The Butterfly Effect fought against the cocoon of being a different concept and now broke through into a flying beautiful butterfly!

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