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Just got back from a great week in Skegness. Great that is, except for the first day - Sat 15th.

Windyest day I think I have ever tried to put a tent up. Even with all of theguy ropes pegged out, couldn't get the central dome up on my Wynnster Satellite 12 - the wind was just pushing it practically flat to the ground, resulting in one bent in half / split ferrule on tent pole resulting in a horrible gash in mates hand, and a fibreglass pole that went 'pop'.

Gave up in the end after about 2 hours of trying to put it up, and stayed in a caravan (static - not converted to the tin can brigade!) for the week. Lucky to get somewhere at such short notice!

I am very disappointed. Never had a problem putting the tent up before, but I was about to give up and come home again last Sat! Other people arrived at the same time as us, and while they also had trouble pitching, no one had the trouble we did and were all successful. This makes me think I need a new tent now!

You're more likely to damage a tent while pitching or striking it than at any other time, even in a dead  calm. So it's almost certainly not the tent's fault that a pole broke while trying to put it up in very windy weather. Nor your's of course, though there does come a point when you really should stop and think about whether it would be best to leave the tent in the bag, no?

Mend the pole, chalk it up to experience and get back out there...!