COLIBRI

Crew Profile

Your Captain and Chef are native Texans who have been married since 2007. Avid travelers, Kristiann and Graham have lived on four continents and visited over fifty countries. Their experiences have taught them that great vacations are made up of many small details.

After 10 years in the corporate world, the Gips reached a point where they could focus on what they love to do most: travel, host guests, and sail. They purchased a 44’ catamaran, Allende, upon which they sailed over 30,000 nautical miles. After seven successful seasons, Graham and Kristiann were thrilled to upgrade their charter program aboard the luxurious Colibrí.

Dive instructor and stewardess Matilda Money-Kyrle is the newest addition to the crew. Matilda is an encouraging and enthusiastic individual who excels at inspiring guests to try new activities. Her years of working in the service industry and her experience on superyachts make her a valuable addition to the team.

Consummate hosts, Graham, Kristiann and Matilda find great pleasure in working as a team and creating lasting memories for their guests. All crew are CPR/First Aid certified and fully vaccinated for COVID-19.

Captain Graham Gips

Graham is an engineer by training who spent a successful career in the oil and gas industry. While working abroad, he learned to sail on a 20ft racing dinghy with Kristiann as crew. They raced weekly for several years, topped the local podium and earned the chance to compete internationally.

While he has a competitive streak, Graham is a detail-oriented and safety-conscious sailor who puts the comfort of his guests first. He knows the islands well and can craft an itinerary that suits everyone aboard. When the anchor is set each evening, Graham then turns his attention to crafting cocktails to your taste.

Chef Kristiann Gips

Before joining the yachting industry, Kristiann ran a successful catering company. She honed her culinary skills by accommodating a wide variety of preferences and dietary needs each day. In 2021, Kristiann further refined her skills by training at the acclaimed Ashburton Cookery School in England.

Kristiann loves to combine gourmet delicacies with local ingredients for new twists on classic dishes. She works with the Captain to plan a menu that perfectly complements the activities on your sailing itinerary. When she’s not in the galley, Kristiann enjoys escorting guests on snorkel safaris.

Stewardess / Dive Instructor Matilda Money-Kyrle

While earning her degree in Geography, Matilda worked as a water sports instructor in the UK taking guests paddle-boarding, kayaking and cliff jumping. Unwilling to give up a life on the water, Matilda then worked a Mediterranean season onboard a 50m yacht. She achieved her PADI instructor qualification in Thailand and loves sharing her knowledge of diving and marine life. Her knack for teaching will inspire confidence as you try new activities aboard!