OnBoard Magazine - Summer 2015

in the VBBT enough to step up and pledge to fund it personally,” states Jud, “and we have every year to this day—that shows commitment.” The group traded the Virginia Ducks Unlimited Chapter their August dates for a winter Rockfish tournament in Hampton. Charlie and Earle recruited two additional Board Members to join them, local restaurateur Mike Atkinson to help craft the food and social side of the show and Bluewater client and developer Bob Stanton for his local connections and experience with the city. Charlie sold the presenting sponsorship to Toyota, and Viking and Regulator told Earle and Jud they wanted to get onboard right away. Deirdre and Wayne already had an idea for the role of tournament director and rattled off the qualifications of local dock master Paula Owen. The new board of directors agreed she seemed like a good fit, but would she think so? “I had to do a lot of fast talking to get her to agree to an interview,” recalls Deirdre. “I had to promise that I‘d help and be there every step of the way— kept my promise, too,” she grins. Paula presented a confident and smiling face to the crew who arrived at Big Sam’s Raw Bar to conduct the interview. “It was tough,” recalls Paula. “I was already sold on the idea and wanted to be a part of doing it right, but I still had to convince them,” she laughs. And she did. On April 4, 2004 the press release went out to give credence to the buzz already on the docks. It had not been kept a secret, but a lot of planning needed time to be put into action. Sponsors stepped up and pitched in, most of whom are still believers to this day. Wayne and Cheryl McLeskey donated the beautiful site perched on Rudee Inlet where each year the sight of the tent going up sparks excitement in every boat that pulls in. Jimmy Bayne knows the feeling well, “A lot of folks wanted this to happen and wanted to be a part of it. The truth is there are a lot of them who won’t get nearly the credit they deserve. Every boat captain who talked us up on the radio here or in Mexico, every volunteer who gave their time and all the friends who gave a word of advice—all of them deserve credit for getting us here. On behalf of the board, I’d just like to say thanks.” Over the years the tournament has grown and had gains. Local CPA and businessman Dennis Deans joined the Board as Treasurer as did banker and financial guru Jeff Dykeman. There have been losses that the VBBT memorialized in honor including the Joel Webb “Tribute to Excellence” Top Mate Award and the F. Wayne McLeskey Memorial “Top Boat” Award. Both men contributed greatly and are sorely missed. From the very beginning, the VBBT was built from a place of gratitude. From the generous bounty of the fishery just offshore, the companies and people eager to pitch in and lend a hand and the chance to do good for some very worthy charities, the people who gave of themselves did it for all the right reasons and were grateful to do so. In 11 years the young VBBT has donated $610,000 to charity, and that is a legacy all are grateful to be part of— especially everyone at Bluewater Yacht Sales. 2010 69 Boats / 472 Anglers $355,000 Awarded Top Boat: Gee Daddy Capt. Garrett Holden Owner Rick O’Pry 188 Total Releases 2011 (Hurricane Irene) 45 Boats / 236 Anglers $244,500 Awarded Top Boat: Waterman Capt./Owner Mike Standing 175 Total Releases 2012 66 Boats $364,000 Awarded Top Boat: Double B Capt. Daniel Spencer Owner Harry Smith 178 Total Releases 2013 69 Boats / 390 Anglers $387,000 Awarded Top Boat: Tarheel Capt./Owner John Bayliss 483 Total Releases 2014 75 Boats / 443 Anglers $424,000 Awarded Top Boat: Uno Mas Capt. Tommy Lynskey Owner Brooks Smith 433 Total Releases Hot Bite: 105 billfish released on Thursday, 60 released on Friday by just 14 boats Celebration: Marked 10th anniversary with $547,000 raised for charity since ‘04 Full House: waiting list implemented and $70,300 raised for charity Jud Black with inaugural winner, Bob Dively Matt Gunter, Charles Barker and Brian Foley Wayne Sawyer and Bob Stanton Jimmy Bayne with daughters Jessie and Hunter Cheryl McLeskey receiving both Top Angler and Top Lady Angler in 2014 Major Milestone: Over $500,000 donated to charity since 2004