The Butterfly Effect returns to Cabarete, calling for greater Dominican female participation

Puerto Plata, D.R.– The 17th edition of the Cabarete Butterfly Effect, an event that blends water sports, wellness, sustainability, and community, will take place from July 2–5, 2025, in the vibrant setting of Cabarete. The annual gathering, officially announced during a launch event at La Isabela Colonial restaurant in Puerto Plata, is led by Michelle Bourdeau and aims to connect women through outdoor experiences that foster confidence, solidarity, and personal growth.

The program features paddleboarding, yoga, optional wind sports such as kitesurfing, catamaran sailing, beach cleanups, and inspiring dialogue sessions—all designed to embrace diverse abilities and create a shared experience between local and international participants. This year’s theme, “Courage,” invites women to discover and celebrate the inner strength that drives them to grow, support each other, and make a lasting impact.

During the launch, Bourdeau emphasized the initiative’s commitment to increasing female participation nationwide: “We want more Dominican women and girls to join us—to dare to discover what they’re capable of achieving through sports, community, and in their own lives. This experience is holistic, transformative, and deeply inspiring,” she said.

The event is supported by the Cabarete Butterfly Effect Foundation, an organization that champions access for Dominican girls to swimming and water sports, while advancing community initiatives aligned with sustainable development in the northern region of the country.

Adriana Badía, a member of the organizing team, highlighted the event’s positive impact: “The Cabarete Butterfly Effect is more than a water sports event; it’s a movement rooted in female empowerment, sustainability, and community. Over the past 17 years, we’ve raised more than USD $100,000 for local projects, and in our latest edition, we welcomed over 125 active participants. Each year, this butterfly effect continues to transform lives in Cabarete.”

The 2025 edition is made possible thanks to the support of key sponsors: RealtorDR, Andari Spa, Fresh Fruit Dominicana, Millennium Resort & Spa, The Noom, and AMG Comunica, all of whom share the vision of promoting women’s leadership, holistic well-being, and local sustainability through this unique initiative.

The team reaffirmed its commitment to fostering a safe, inclusive, and transformative space for women and girls of all ages, backgrounds, and skill levels.