Waimarama Beach scorcher

Alister Thomson | 11th January 2010

The weather was turned on for the crowds who flocked to Waimarama Beach on Sunday for its biggest event of the year.

Three to five thousand people enjoyed such diverse activities as a wearable arts fashion contest, sand castle sculpting and the main event, Miss Waimarama in the sweltering heat of 28C.

Waimarama Beach day is a fundraiser for the Waimarama Beach Surf Lifesaving Club.

In the afternoon there was also a simulated demonstration involving the new Lowe Corporation BK117 rescue helicopter, which dropped two lifeguards into the water to rescue an injured man with the help of two crewed lifeguard boats.

Waimarama Surf Club chairman Noel Houston said it was a "perfect day".

"The outlook was not that flash earlier in the week but today it's picked up as the wind has dropped off and it's a perfect day."

He said there had been no surf rescues at the beach.

Georgina Hughes, 16, of Napier, beat out 26 other hopefuls to be crowned Miss Waimarama for 2010.

Ms Hughes, a first time entrant, said her sister had "pressured" her into entering the competition and she had not expected to win.

"It was worth it in the end," she said.

Ms Hughes won vouchers to a surf shop and for a photo shoot.

Police reported no arrests.

On Saturday Waimarama Surf Club held the third part of the Hawke's Bay district surf lifesaving championships.

More than 100 lifeguards from Waimarama, Ocean Beach and West Shore surf clubs competed in swimming and boating relays in windy conditions for the Hawke's Bay pendant.

Mr Houston said there was "fierce competition" during the championships, which lead into the national championship in March at Ohope Beach near Whakatane.

The final part of the series will be held later this month.