Iara

Captain Paul Bowring
Originally from the United Kingdom, Captain Paul was raised around the world, from South Korea to the English countryside, developing an early fascination with travel, adventure, and different cultures. After his family settled in Brixham, sailing became a shared passion with his father and eventually the foundation of his career.

In 2015, Paul left his position as a hotel manager in England to pursue life at sea, crossing the Atlantic from the Canary Islands to the Southern Caribbean. After exploring the region, he made Bequia home, where he captained the iconic Friendship Rose, a classic 100-foot wooden schooner built in the Grenadines. He later spent three years captaining the 35-meter motor yacht Star of the Sea while also operating a variety of charter yachts, including his own catamaran, Cataja.

Since transitioning to freelance work in 2019, Paul has captained yachts throughout the Caribbean while continuing to share his love of sailing with others. He also volunteered with Bequia Junior Sailors, helping introduce young people to the rich sailing traditions of the Grenadines.

Before entering the yachting industry, Paul built a successful career in hospitality, working his way up to General Manager of Queen’s Court Hotel and Quayside Hotels in the UK. Today, he combines those hospitality skills with professional seamanship to create relaxed, memorable charters. He holds an RYA Yachtmaster Offshore certification and an AEC 1.

Chef Alexa DeRiggs
Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, Chef Lexy has always considered herself an island girl at heart. After beginning her career in event planning and marketing, she relocated to St. Vincent & the Grenadines, her father’s homeland, where she worked for Bequia Beach Hotel before deciding to pursue a more adventurous path.

Leaving the corporate world behind, Lexy became a certified yoga instructor, opened her own studio, Wild Thing Wellness, and helped operate her family’s Airbnb, Ohana House Bequia. In 2019, she began her professional sailing career as First Mate and Chef aboard Cataja, later joining Paul on multi-day charters throughout the Southern Caribbean.

For Lexy, cooking is an expression of creativity, culture, and connection. Raised in a multicultural family with Caribbean and South Korean roots, she creates fresh, healthy, locally inspired cuisine infused with global flavors and thoughtfully tailored to each guest. She holds certifications in Culinary Nutrition, Food & Hygiene Level 2, and recently completed additional culinary nutrition studies through Leith’s School of Food & Wine.

Beyond the galley, Lexy is a highly trained yoga instructor with more than 600 hours of training and previously owned a yoga studio in Bequia. She offers personalized onboard yoga sessions designed to promote relaxation, flexibility, and strength, providing guests with another way to unwind while surrounded by the beauty of the Caribbean.

Whether preparing memorable meals, leading a morning yoga session, or helping guests discover hidden island gems, Lexy brings warmth, creativity, and genuine hospitality to every charter.