Miss Waimarama revisited | Hawkes Bay News | Local News in Hawkes Bay

Dozens of bikini-clad beauties will this Sunday adorn their best itsy-bitsy bathing suit with hopes of claiming a stake in beach babe legacy as Miss Waimarama 2012.

An annual fixture at the popular holiday spot, the bikini contest is part of the More FM Waimarama Beach Day and since its beginnings in the early 1990s has always been a crowd pleaser.

The Hawke's Bay Today electronic database could only retrieve results from as far back as 2002, but More FM breakfast host and MC of the event, Kevin Wagg, has been involved since the first bronzed belles began strutting for the sash.

He said winners, or at least the top three, were often obvious as soon as they took to the stage.

Always a flat-deck truck with either a wooden or steel surface, and never any sides, Mr Wagg said the stage itself had caused its fair share of drama.

"One year, a girl had done her walk-past and went back to stand in her position," he said. "She took a step backwards to make her pose and just fell straight over the side - it was hilarious.

"She was OK but didn't actually come anywhere."

Despite registration being a must, there were often a few uninvited guests to the family show.

"In the early years we had a couple of guys streaking in front of the stage, which is always a bit of a laugh - the crowd goes wild for streakers," he said.

Crowd involvement was a large part of the event, with judges decision only going so far - and audience appreciation making up the rest.

He said that appreciation was growing each year, with up to 5000 spectators filling the Waimarama Domain.

Last year there were 45 entrants to the competition - a record showing that may see entries cut off if tomorrow proves as popular.

Winner of the event, 17-year-old Hastings Girls' High School student Catherine Cater, became a mini-celebrity after taking the highly contested title.

"I am seriously surprised how recognised I have been," she said. "Almost everywhere I go people are always remembering my name and saying 'hey, that's Miss Waimarama'."

The win had even proved quite lucrative for the natural beauty who, with aspirations for a career in broadcasting, held a guest spot on More FM and was offered a number of modelling jobs.

Catherine shared the views of one of tomorrow's judges, Aoteearoa co-owner Dylan Buckley, that Miss Waimarama was only partly about looks.

"Honestly I think you really have to bring out your personality because I think that's how I won," she said.

"Just be yourself, don't get all dressed up, I don't think it's needed - nothing too fancy."

Miss Waimarama will be held on Sunday 22 January after being postponed due to bad weather two weeks earlier.