Sand bar opens for summer of beach fun

Six Tauranga mates make a habit of catching up for a Christmas drink at the Mount Maunganui Main Beach _ and it's all perfectly legal.
They were some of the first patrons at the Sand Bar which opened for its summer of fun yesterday.
They were also there early to give publican Clayton Mitchell their cheery support. Mr Mitchell is into his sixth year of running the tented bar over the peak holiday season from December 26 to January 6.
"It's a great venue and it brings people down to the beach," said South African-born Gerry Fritsch, a real estate salesperson.
"It's good to be where all the activity is and enjoying a quiet beer at the same time."
Draped by the white sand in front and the pohutukawa trees of Mount Drury Reserve behind, Chris Blockley raised his glass and pronounced: "The quality is good; the beer is nice and cold."
Joining them were another real estate agent, Colin McGonagle, and brothers Bryce and Paul Whitworth who run the Savvie Bar uptown in the Customhouse Building on Rata St.
"We can't drink in our own bar all the time.
"Anyway, we're a night bar and we heard this is where the locals hang out," said Bryce Whitworth.
Mr Mitchell, who owns the Mount Mellick and Hamilton Bahama Hut bars, has created a family atmosphere for the lazy, hazy days at the Sand Bar, which caters for up to 1000 people.
He's dressed the bar up with a Calypso beach theme, including two paddling pools in front of the stage so patrons can cool down while listening to the music.
He's got the lounge chairs, the bean bags and the customary bar leaners.
At one of the bars, his wife Erika has introduced a creche and play area for the children.
Mr Mitchell will be staging events like jelly wrestling, horizontal bungy [flying], and the sixth annual bikini challenge on January 1 and 6.
"We are catering for everyone _ we've even had an 80-year-old grandmother coming down and enjoying the music," said Mr Mitchell.
All he's hoping for is fine weather.
"The first four years were a struggle and then last year the weather was great and we were successful.
"The bar is very weather-dependent.
"We've got good bands and entertainment but if the weather packs up then it will be a disaster," said Mr Mitchell.
However, he applauded the move by the city council and the police to support a temporary bar at the beach.
There's a liquor ban in place everywhere else along the beach and the harbour in downtown Mount.