"It is great, it is really windy, a lot of waves and a lot of current. It is not as dangerous for us as it is for people surfing in the big waves and current. There is too much current to surf."
The 27-year-old had been kitesurfing since 2003, worked at a local kite shop and was a kitesurfing instructor.
This was his third summer at the Mount.
He had kept an eye on the weather all day and expected to be back.
Gino was visiting Mount Maunganui on a working holiday visa from Italy and was cheering his friend on from the water's edge before it was his turn to ride the waves.
"It is really cool, it is just a big game," he said.
Tauranga City Council closed the Mauao base track at 7am for safety reasons, however the track leading to the Mauao summit remained open.
But wild weather did not deter die-hard walkers.
One keen walker who had been up the Mount before 7am for safety reasons said the storm didn't scare her away from her morning walk.
"The track is in really good condition," she said.
Another two who had got around the track before the closure said it was dangerous and the "waves were huge".
Groups of people were also seen taking storm selfies amid heavy rain and strong winds overnight on January 4.
Matata twins Kerryn and Jenna Rota braved the strong winds for a walk along Adams Ave off Mount Main Beach yesterday afternoon.
Kerryn said it was the strongest wind she had experienced.
