The Bay's surfing community was not deterred by Cyclone Hola. It was bucketing down about 6pm but the car parks nearest the surf beach beside Mouturiki (Leisure Island) were full.
Surfers have flocked to Mount Maunganui's Main Beach to make the most of large swells whipped up by Cyclone Hola today.
About 80 surfers braved the elements to catch waves estimated to be about 2m high.
About 80 surfers are braving rough weather to ride waves at Mount Maunganui. Photo/Mark Robson, @makeyourmarkphotography
A Bay of Plenty Times reporter at the scene said rain was bucketing downand the carpark was packed with surfers' cars.
Some of the surfers had said there had been some good sets rolling in and there would have been a minimum of 80 surfers out on the water chasing the cyclone surf, she said.
