Waimarama's big day beside the seaside

Hawke's Bay Coastguard on patrol during Waimarama Beach Day yesterday, which attracted thousands to frolic in the sun and sand. Photo/Warren Buckland

Hot sun and sand seared the thousands of beach bodies covering Waimarama during its annual summer event yesterday.

On a scorching Hawke's Bay day, with temperatures reaching 30C, about two thousand people flocked to the popular seaside town for the Beach Day event.

The day's activities, hosted by More FM and the Waimarama Surf Life Saving Club, started with a beach dig at 10am before Hawke's Bay's young creative minds took to a sandcastle building competition with their buckets and spades.

Many opted for the traditional castle, surrounded by a moat filled by the encroaching tide, while others decided a more modern approach was required with turtles, mermaids, octopuses, lizards, and even Mickey Mouse all found moulded by the Waimarama sand.

Nine-year-olds Ruby Raphael and Angus Ramsey placed third with their fish hook design in the sandcastle competition and said they had a fun day by the sea.

At noon the Dash for Cash contestants showcased their speed for a chance to win $100.

Napier Girls' High School student Shannon Gearey, 16, was one of the winners of the competition, running the race in bare feet and a dress.

"I won last year as well," she said, adding she competes in junior athletics. "I will probably save the money or spend it on clothes."

"She won by miles," said her 16-year-old friends Bella Russell and Suzannah Toomey who both had a "great day" at the beach.

The Hawke's Bay Coastguard performed a water safety exercise that included flares, a rescue vessel and an airplane.

Operational Rescue Vessel crew member Janene Hole said the demonstration, in conjunction with Hawke's Bay Regional Council, was all about creating awareness around boating safety.

"The local bylaw is to wear a lifejacket on all vessels under six metres," she said, adding the display would remind people to wear and look after their lifejackets.

The coastguard also exhibited a variety of signal flares that are commonly used in rescue situations.

"An orange smoke flare is used during the day and can be seen for many kilometres, while a hand-held red flare is used during the night."

The Coastguard rescue vessel also fired off two parachute flares.

"These flares can be seen by people living on shore, so people around the coast should keep an eye out for these out to sea," Ms Hole said.

Later in the afternoon, a wearable beach arts competition with a water safety theme had children scouring the shoreline for accessories to their costumes. One young boy pieced together a ninja turtle suit using flotation devices and seashells, while eventual winner Hannah Hibbert donned an elaborate starfish and shell covered dress.

Throughout the day volunteer Waimarama surf lifesavers such as Olivia Ward, Hugh Marsh and Heidi Warren kept people safe, with no major incidents reported.

The day's big event, Miss Waimarama, capped off the day and drew a large crowd as hundreds came to see the best bikini babes, before returning to the waves for one final dip.