The Bikini Jam

Our “careers” as intrepid reporters are a little bit slow in the summer. Low season in Puerto Vallarta means fewer events, less business news, just generally a quiet time. The 21st annual Ujena Bikini Jam decided to take advantage of low season to have the event here in Puerto Vallarta.
So on behalf of the Banderasnews.com and the Guadalajara Reporter we covered the Bikini Jam. It turned out to be more fun than I thought it would be.
The first event was a press conference. Accompanied by a few models, Ujena CEO Bob Anderson explained what would be taking place. A nice side onus was the buffet lunch that was served!
A ribbon cutting by the Mayor of Puerto Vallarta was scheduled for the first morning, but he sent a rep instead. After getting our official press credentials, we went to the Golf Tournament. While it sounded like the bikini models would be either golfing or caddying, they were not. After a few set-up shots with golf clubs and players, the girls were just stationed around the course so photo ops and chit chat. We had never been to the El Tigre Golf Course before so we took advantage of the use of a cart to check it out. It is a beautiful course with many nice homes already around it and many more under construction. We rode around and talked to several of the models. Some work for Ujena, they are staff models. What a tough job, right? Travel cool places and get your picture taken.
The girls we talked to were all very friendly and didn’t seem like airheads at all! Some are college students, some are professional models and some just took time off from other jobs to compete.
The next day there was an Expo where the sponsors had booths and the models and photographers could schedule photo shoots. Networking was really the name of the game for them. Who knows when the photographer could sell her photo and make her a little cash? Sponsors were having competitions for “spokesmodels” for their websites, calendars and TV shows. All offered cash prizes and employment opportunities.
We talked to some of the photographers and some of the other press people. All seemed to be enjoying their visits to Puerto Vallarta.
Outside we saw some photo shoots taking place. It is amazing how the models just have to tune everything out since sometimes there were numerous people stopping to watch what was happening.
I have to say that every one of the models I saw had the figure for a bikini. None of those “what in the world is she thinking?” types at all.
I also went to the 5K run which Ujena sponsored. Bob Anderson is a runner, having previously started a magazine called Runner’s World. He encourages all the models and photographers to participate in the race. I thought it was very funny that the race was actually won by a 40-year-old mother of 3. Lilian is a native of Guadalajara but is now a housewife in the NYC suburbs. She has been in Guadalajara caring for her dad and took a short break to come to Vallarta with her 4 year old. She saw the banner, entered the race and blew away the competition! Take that, you young bikini babes!
The final night of the Bikini Jam was the Image Awards. The show itself was very nicely put together. We were pleased to find out that the winning model was from Tijuana. She won some cash and will be working for Ujena.
All-in-all the event was fun. Most of the models defied the stereotype of bubble-headed beauties. Bob Anderson has said the Bikini Jam will return to Puerto Vallarta next year. It is great for the local economy as over 500 people came for the event.
We are now back on reporting hiatus until another fun event comes along.