THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, August 26, 1996 TAG: 9608260036
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B5 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY HOLLY WESTER, CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: 77 lines
It was BYOB at the Oceanfront Sunday afternoon, but beer wasn't the main attraction at the south end.
``Bring Your Own Bikini'' was the call of locals and tourists alike, as the main event of the 34th annual East Coast Surfing Championships - wave riding - took a back seat, for a while, anyway, to the ever-popular swimsuit competition.
``It's a big event,'' said Brian Poulston, co-chairman of the contest, which pulled about 1,000 spectators. ``It's kind of self-explanatory. There are a lot of gorgeous women down here.''
The contest, like the surfing competition, is sponsored by the Virginia Beach Jaycees.
There were 17 contestants - ages 18 to 32 - for Sunday's event. Saturday's contest was canceled because of rain.
The rules were simple: Contestants had to be at least 18, and thongs were not allowed. Everything else, however - from fake tans to fake . . . - was OK.
The ECSC contest has a strong local following, organizers say.
``We don't have girls coming from all over the world,'' said Shannon L. Keaton, committee chairman. ``It's really a contest for the locals.''
As men lined up at the barricades, more than half of the contestants trekked to the Ramada Inn on Sixth Street to freshen up.
A dozen young women fighting for two mirrors was a competition in itself.
``God, I feel so fat - I'm already bloated,'' said Angie Christenson, 22, as she examined her size 3 figure in the mirror. ``And a whatchamacalit - a mosquito - bit me on the butt.''
``I'm going for the nappy hair look today,'' Sara Pawl, 19, said, before wetting down her shoulder-length blonde tresses.
They teased and tucked until they were satisfied. Some shared hair spray to glue their bikinis to their behinds.
For most, this was their first-ever contest. And each had her own reason for butterflies.
``I'm nervous because I'm old,'' said Tamara Tennison, 32. ``I can't compete with these young people. But my husband encouraged me, and I need the money, so I'm going for it.''
Just after 2:30 p.m., she and four other competitors took the stage for the first of three competitive sessions.
That's when the rowdy barks and comments from the crowd began. This was not the most politically correct day at the beach.
But the contest isn't ``all body,'' Keaton insisted. Contestants were asked questions about their jobs and hobbies by the five judges and the hosts.
Perry Stone, morning disc jockey from WROX-FM 96X, was one of three emcees asking contestants everything from ``What's two plus two?'' to ``Was O.J. guilty or innocent?''
After the three segments, seven finalists were chosen.
A college student, flight attendant, photographer, waitress, cosmetics consultant, environmental awareness advocate and manager of a Best Buy were lined up on stage - ready to parade for the $300 cash purse.
Minutes later, the results were in.
And the underdog - the oldest competitor - took home the gold.
Wearing a silver bikini and an unforgettable smile, Tamara Tennison beat out the teenagers and 20-year-olds she had feared only minutes before.
Besides $300, she received a weeklong vacation as well as numerous gifts.
But according to Tennison, the prizes could never compare with the fringe benefits.
``It's a real confidence booster, especially when you're my age,'' she said, holding a dozen red roses backstage. ``I feel 18 all over again.'' ILLUSTRATION: ``I'm nervous because I'm old,'' said Tamara Tennison,
32, before the ``Bring Your Own Bikini'' contest in Virginia Beach
on Sunday. ``I can't compete with these young people.'' But she was
wrong. Tennison, the oldest competitor, took home the gold. The
contest was sponsored by the Virginia Beach Jaycees.
MIKE HEFFNER
The Virginian-Pilot
There were 17 contestants - ages 18 to 32 - for Sunday's Oceanfront
bikini contest. The rules were simple: Contestants had to be at
least 18, and thongs were not allowed. by CNB