Denis' knowledge of sailing began at the age of 2 aboard his parents' sailboat on the Barnegat bay in New Jersey. His love of the water, the outdoors and adventure began early and never left him. At 14 he taught at a rock climbing and martial arts training gym and later he went to college to become a Spanish teacher, but soon realized this career would not satisfy his hunger for life. He moved to California and eight months later he found himself aboard a 64 foot sailing yacht on his way out of San Diego harbor destination unknown.
He has sailed half the world including the pacific coast of Central America, the Panama Canal, the Caribbean, the Atlantic and the Mediterranean. He has been across the Atlantic Ocean 3 times and has accumulated over 30,000 nautical miles.
Rita is a creative chef and very enthusiastic to adapt her menus to your personal preferences. With a degree in art, Rita approaches cooking and food presentation with an artist's flair. She enjoys experimenting with new recipes and refining old favorites. Extensive world travel developed Rita's palette while waiting tables and tending bar refined her skills in presentation, appreciation for fine dining and superb service.
Rita spent six seasons in the western US working for ARTA River Trips as a whitewater rafting guide, instructor, cook, and area manager. She is at ease on land or on the water and has on-water and remote safety training and understands hydrology, reading currents and weather conditions. River rafting has offered her an opportunity to gain experience in customer relations, exposed her to a variety of personalities and allowed her to become creative and confident in her culinary skills.
Denis Dowling and Rita Grindle are a great combination of creativity, good-humor, pleasant nature and adventure. Their combination of talents, personalities, and ambitions make them a perfect couple onboard. They believe that the most important question they can ask their guests is, "What would you like to do today?". Making that wish come true is their ambition. Let this dynamic duo show you the BVI's in style aboard Secret Oasis.
In addition, a dive master is available to come out to the catamaran in a 22ft dive power yacht and assist your group with scuba diving.
Guest Comments:
Dennis & Rita were absolutely phenomenal. This is one of those "Trip's of a lifetime" that I want to repeat again and again.
Secret Oasis was beautiful. Very comfortable at night with the A/C. Rita did a beautiful job cleaning the cabins.
- Was the food enjoyable and well presented?
Being a cook myself, I was absolutely amazed with the skills she possesses. I can't believe the quality of food that she generated in a galley that size. I couldn't have done it in a full size kitchen. Another nice thing was she took the kid's palate into consideration and made meals that they would enjoy IN ADDITION to cooking meals for the "grown ups" AT THE SAME SEATING - a very nice touch!
I love the fact that one can have such a flexible itinerary.
Not to beat a dead-horse but I can't tell you enough how good Dennis and Rita were to us. As a team, they "gel" very nicely - they have a synergy that was impressive.
Stephen M., April 2008
My husband and I did not want to pass the opportunity to rave about Rita and Denis.
Our experience on a scale from 1-10 was off the charts. They are both very capable and dotting with such a special way about them.
My husband is an avid sailor and always felt comfortable with Denis's judgment and appreciated the captain's expertise and thorough ways.
Rita is a STAR. She is very creative and takes tremendous pride in all that she prepares. Every meal was better than the next and she had tremendous patience and flexibility with my daughter's slight fickleness with food, not to mention my mother's major food allergy.
They both catered to our needs in an affection way and provided us with a fabulous week away. If we charter again we would definitely request them as our crew. Thank you for providing a fun, relaxing and beautiful vacation aboard Secret Oasis. Over all a great trip. We would charter again.
Bryanna K., January 2008 |
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