Fierce winds hit campers in Bay

Campers holidaying in the Bay yesterday grappled with high winds which have hit most of the North Island.

At Waihi Beach Top 10 Holiday Park, Scott Megson, 15, wrestled with his tent after it was blown down.
Scott's mother Suzanne, of Manurewa, said a heavy gust tipped over the portable washing line, knocking over the tent.
The family was on holiday with three other families, who had tents pitched over three sites at the camping ground.
The families, who arrived on Boxing Day and are staying until January 2, said they were a resilient bunch and were not bothered by the wind.
Chris Jowsey of Hamilton said he had the perfect antidote to the strong wind: "Batten down the hatches and get frisky!"
 
On the beach, strong winds kept many holidaymakers off the sand, while those who braved the gusts found themselves covered in sand.
MetService forecaster Allister Gorman said winds in the Bay of Plenty rose steadily throughout the day.
Gusts of up to 65km/h were recorded at Tauranga Airport at 4pm.
While winds were not recorded at Waihi, nearby Golden Valley recorded gusts of up to 100km/h at 4pm,
while Slipper Island had up to 85km/h.
The windy weather last night saw Tauranga Fire Service called out to Tauranga Boys' College about 7.15pm after part of the roof shelter over the school's cricket nets folded back and was in danger of flying off. It was tied down with a piece of rope until permanent repairs can be made.