Babes on Boards in Auckland, New Zealand

Babes on Boards gathered as a fundraiser for the disaster relief of the Christchurch Earthquake

Babes on Boards crew posing in style and with a glass of champagne in hand. Photo Coutersy: Annabel Anderson

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AUCKLAND, New Zealand – Visitors & restaurant patrons in Auckland’s Viaduct Harbour were treated to what may be a world first fashion show on water last Friday. Twenty girls of all ages donned designer dresses from Yvonne Bennetti & flowing kaftans from La Madu, strapped their high heels to their paddleboards and graced the waters of Viaduct Harbour in the company of superyachts & the latest editions to the America’s Cup – the AC45 Catamarans before lunching at Soul Bar & Bistro. (Join the Detination Group.)

“We’ve been wanting to get all the girls together and paddle across Viaduct Harbour for a long time. It seemed the perfect opportunity for us to use this as a novel & fun way to help raise funds for the Christchurch Earthquake Appeal at the same time," commented Katherine Heatley, co-founder of Babes on Boards. “To be able to give these girls the chance to paddle alongside beautiful superyachts, against backdrop of Auckland’s iconic Sky Tower while adding some glamour and vigour to raising much needed earthquake appeal funds was simply too good to turn down," says event organiser and leading female stand up paddleboarder & Babes on Boards coach Annabel Anderson.

"Some of these girls have been paddling for a while, others less than a month. They are out there doing it and loving it. Helping give them the opportunity to do this has been amazing. Girls, fashion, paddleboards, superyachts and a celebratory glass of champagne to conclude – it’s a pretty amazing combination that will no doubt spark girls elsewhere to stage similar events of their own. So often we are out on the water paddleboarding, kiting, surfing, sailing etc in sport-specific clothing; to be able to combine our love of fashion and to glide it across a watery catwalk were very special says," Anderson. (Signup for the Supconnect Newsletter & See Photos from Babes on Boards Paddle.)

About Babes on Boards

Babes on Boards is about bringing together girls of all ages and giving them the opportunity to experience a variety of different water and adventure sports in a safe and fun environment while learning new skills, building confidence and having as much fun as possible in the process. Embracing girls of all ages, Babes on Boards run fun events and help to introduce girls to pursuits they want to do. For more information, look up Babes on Boards Facebook page. Babes on Boards would like to thank all their partners who made this event possible, it was an honour to have you ‘on board’: Soul. Bar & Bistro, Yvonne Bennetti, La Madu Resortwear, Starboard Stand Up Paddleboards, Viaduct Harbour Marina, Lily & Louis PR, Xavier Wallach Sports Photography & North Shore Plastic Surgery Practice.