Bumps Scholarship
Vernon G. Eberwine, Jr. “Bumps” Scholarship
The Vernon G. Eberwine, Jr. “Bumps” Fund was established in February 2017 in memory of Vernon G. Eberwine, Jr., to enable deserving youth to participate in Hampton Yacht Club’s summer sailing programs. Vernon Gaskins “Bumps” Eberwine, Jr. (August 26, 1925 – January 8, 2017)
When “Bumps” sailed away from this world and all who knew and loved him, he was 91 years old and had over 85 years of sailing and boating experiences under his well-worn cap. Growing up on Bennett’s Creek in Suffolk, VA he spent his youth enjoying many boating excursions up and down the Bay on his father’s fine Yacht, a Matthews 41′ powerboat ‘Nansemond’. When Bumps turned 12 years old a friend of his Dad’s gave him a 10′ sailing dinghy and, well, the rest is history. Bumps was hooked!
After WWII and a stint at VA Tech as a Naval Air Corp Cadet, he bought a Hampton One Design (Sail # 97, built by Vincent Serio) and started racing her in 1946 with his new wife and crew, Alice. Many races and many wins later sailing out of Portsmouth, Hampton, Fishing Bay and Annapolis, he purchased a 28′ wooden sloop he named ‘Sea Star’ and began winning many coveted Chesapeake Bay races such as the Annapolis to Hampton and many Virginia Cruise Week races as well. Bumps went on to own and race several sailboats throughout his long sailing career which included a Vanguard 32′, Morgan 35′, Erickson 25′ Morgan 24′, 30′ Pearson Flyer, J36′ and an Olson 25′. He even raced a Montgomery 10′ in the HYC Frostbite Series and a Laser in many area races into his late 50’s. Bumps lived to sail.
When he wasn’t racing, Bumps was busy managing Eberwine Brothers Canning Company where he was co-owner. He and his wife Alice had 3 sons, Vernon III, Chucky, and David, and many grandchildren. Of all his family, it was the youngest son, David, who has carried on Bumps’ sailing legacy and is a very accomplished sailor in his own right having raced with his Dad for many years. Like his Dad in 2000, David had also been awarded the coveted Labrot Trophy in 2010 on their beloved J36 ‘Sea Star’. Grandson, Chuck Eberwine, sailed with Bumps on both the Olson 26 and J36 for the past several years as well.
Bumps’ legacy is his great passion for sailing and his deeply rooted love of the waters of the Chesapeake Bay. Throughout his life, Bumps demonstrated the highest level of sailing expertise with a unique grace and sense of humor that was understated and much appreciated by all who knew him. He especially loved sharing his great passion for sailing with anyone willing to step aboard and feel firsthand, the sun on their face and the wind in their sails. He will never be forgotten.
Mr. Eberwine, Jr. believed sailing should be accessible to all, regardless of financial means. In establishing this scholarship fund at HYC, we hope to introduce the joys of sailing to all children in the Hampton Roads area.
Applicants
Applicants for the Bumps Scholarship must be ages 6 to 16 years of age, live in Hampton Roads, have a passion for life on or around the water and must be able to pass our swim test. If your child – or a child you know – is interested in taking a summer camp class at Hampton Yacht Club, but may not be able to afford full tuition, you may apply for a scholarship by filling out the Application.
The goal of the Bumps Scholarship is to provide access to sailing programs to participants who otherwise are unable to afford the program. The HYC Foundation Bumps Scholarship Committee will review Applications on a case-by-case basis and reserve the right to award this Scholarship in its sole discretion.
To Apply: please print and fill out the application and return it to Hampton Yacht Club Foundation, 4707 Victoria Blvd. Hampton, Virginia 23669. Deadline: July 21, 2023.