Sailing school is coming to Newport

NEWPORT — Within the next couple of months residents of the Northeast Kingdom will be able to rent boats and learn how to sail on Lake Memphremagog. A school and rental center will be based at the dock in Newport.

The Sigsbee Sailing Center of Long Island is a sailing school certified with the American Sailing Association, according to a pamphlet from the company. It offers instruction to anyone from novices to experienced sailors who need "brush up" courses. The company also offers sailboat rentals on Manhasset Bay and Long Island Sound.

David Schepsman, the owner of the company, said Tuesday that he has six boats being renovated already in Newport that should be ready in 30 to 40 days.

Harry Corrow, the director of Newport’s recreation department, said the company might move into the area at the Gateway Center which is currently the snack bar. He said Claus Becker, the operator of the snack bar, could move into the space that was previously rented by Chris Johansen, the owner of the cruise boat, Newport’s Princess.

Newport’s Princess will be docked at the East Side this summer, Mr. Corrow said.

The city is still negotiating terms of rental with the Sigsbee Sailing Center, and the issue will be taken up with the city council at its next meeting on April 15, Mr. Corrow said.

Mr. Schepsman said the company will offer similar programs as it does on Long Island. But, he said, the prices will be lower.

John Dodge of Island Pond will be working for the company in Newport.

Mr. Schepsman said he stumbled across Newport in the winter when he was traveling to Island Pond to acquire some property. He was impressed with the city, so he returned in the spring. He doesn’t expect to become wealthy from the Newport operation, but, he said, he feels it’s a good place to set up a long-term business. He has owned a home in Mendon for the past 20 years.

Mr. Schepsman grew up in New York City where, he said, he used to watch people sail little dinghies on a pond. He added that he thought then that sailing was for the elite, and that he would never be able to do it. Now, he knows that sailing is for everyone, and he plans to make it more affordable. He’s been in the sailing business for 25 years.

The sailing center plans to offer lessons to schools and camps, Mr. Schepsman said. He wants to talk to the guidance counselor at the high school and set up an apprentice program for two students to work and sail.

The Sigsbee Sailing Center will offer introductory sailing courses, and recreational racing that will be videotaped for its students.