You would have heard of Miss Universe, Miss World and Miss Earth.

But you may not have heard of a beauty pageant which highlights the underwater world.

Two weeks ago, Miss Schvelle Ong, 19, beat nine others to be crowned Miss Scuba Singapore 2013.

The unique Miss Scuba International pageant seeks to raise awareness of marine conservation.

The Miss Scuba contest has three segments - contestants are judged in their sports wear, swim wear and elegant wear.

"I didn't think this pageant was unusual at all. I think it is a fun way to celebrate beauty and shows how we can contribute to meaningful causes," says Miss Ong, who is a business studies student at Ngee Ann Polytechnic.

Most contests understandably do not involve posing with sports gear, but this one was a little different.

The soft-spoken beauty queen says: "I had to wear a T-shirt paired with denim shorts and also pose with scuba-diving equipment." Posing with diving gear is to show the contestant's level of sportiness.

"It was a little strange posing with the fins at first, but I got used to it. After all, everyone was doing the same," says Miss Ong. The contest stayed within tradition for its swimsuit and evening gown sections.

Miss Ong will next take part in the international version of the pageant at Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia, on Dec 20.

To prepare for that contest, Miss Ong is working hard to become a certified diver as contestants in the Miss Scuba International need an Open Water Diving certificate.

Miss Ong believes that the overall winner of Miss Scuba should know how to dive.

She says: "I had a taste of it two years ago. One reason I joined this contest was because I wanted a new experience.

"Now I'm being sponsored by The Divers Club to complete my diving course."

Beauty queens often go onto to trying to help the world and Miss Ong wants to use her title to promote marine conservation.

Miss Ong says that using beauty is just one way to do it.

"It's a fun way to reach out to the community to promote such a cause," she says.

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Other peculiar pageants from around the world

Miss Petite

If you thought that height was the only issue to stop you from becoming a beauty queen, here's the perfect pageant.

This contest is meant for girls shorter than 1.67m. Isn't that the majority of women here? So that's the height issue sorted. Sadly you still have to have the looks too.

Miss Atom

If you thought this was a contest for women who are mind-blowingly hot, you are half-right.

This is an annual beauty contest open to female employees in Russia's nuclear industry. And yes, some of the past winners are red-hot.

Miss Klingon Empire

This pageant is definitely other-worldly and very nerdy. Held annually at the Atlanta Star Trek Convention, women dress up and assume the persona of any female Klingon character from the famous sci-fi series.

Given that you need full face make-up and prosthetics to get the alien effect, this contest could be won by those not blessed with good looks. Very egalitarian.

Miss Landmine

A pageant with more heart than most. This is for women in Angola who lost one or both legs because of the millions of uncleared mines left over from the African country's bloody civil war.

Norwegian artist Morten Traavik created this contest to celebrate pride and empowerment over physical perfection.

The prize? Prosthetic limbs.

Miss Artificial Beauty

For those who believe beauty is skin deep, this contest in China is only open to women who have had cosmetic surgery. To make sure no natural beauties enter, contestants have to provide certification that they went under the knife.

Miss Russian Army

If you run an army and are looking to looking to recruit more female soldiers, organise a beauty contest. And that was what the Russian Defence Ministry did. But there is a downside as no bikinis are allowed.

Miss Condom

This contest was created to promote safe sex in Thailand. Entrants have to be able to blow up condoms like balloons, as well as have an extensive knowledge of HIV and Aids.

It is not a total departure from the traditional pageant as contestants are still judged on the all-important category of "onstage poise". Miss Mosquito Legs

Held in the middle of the Texas mosquito season, contestants are require to don a pair of shorts and strut their stuff. This is not a lovely legs contest though as winners (there is also a Mister category) are judged by how skinny their legs are.

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