Ridge Sailing Team Could Get Its Own Boats Thanks To Grandparent's Donation

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — A grandparent of a current Ridge High School student would like to donate boats, rutters, sails, and dollies to the Ridge Sailing Team.

Board Member David Shaw announced the news of the "extremely generous" donation at the Board of Education's Jan. 6 meeting.

The boats would be stored at the Raritan Yacht Club and be used for practice.

"Currently, the sailing team has 17 sailers and practice at the Raritan Yacht Club and use their fleet of boats. Other schools practice there as well and the teams queue to use the boats during practice," said Shaw. "Having our own boats would reduce the number of Ridge sailers who would have to wait in the queue."

The Policy Committee raised questions about insurance, upkeep, storage, potential repairs and certification that the boats are okay to be used, said Shaw, who chairs that Committee.

Business Administrator James Rollo has been tasked to look into the issues raised by the Policy Committee.

This is the fourth year of the Ridge Sailing Team. It was formed in April 2022 by Basking Ridge father Dr. Philip Leopold and his son Matthew(who was a student at the time). Read More: Father, Son Duo Launch Sailing Team At Ridge High School

The district will also give consideration to funding allocated to the sailing team for the 2025-26 school year.

"The Policy Committee had questions related to the two sailing seasons and projected costs and enrollment," said Shaw.

More information will be provided to the Board and Committee after information is gathered from other school districts with sailing programs.

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