National Committee

President John Groombridge

(04) 589-5461

Vice PresidentJackie Caldwell

(North Island)

Vice PresidentJoyce Fleming

(South Island)         (03) 322 7990

SecretaryJackie Caldwell 

 

TreasurerJohn Groombridge

(04) 589-5461

Members 

Ian Bushett(04) 237-0193 

Linda Geeves(04) 478-4820 

John Lowe(06) 752-7915 

George North(03) 

Correspondence should be mailed to the official FBG address

LOCAL CONTACTS

Auckland Jan Winn 

(09) 482 0134

Tauranga Ted Lidgard 

(07) 542 2344

Waikato Roger Morris 

(07) 856 8857

Taranaki John Lowe 

(06) 752 7915 

Hawkes Bay Murray Ennor 

(06) 879 6988

Sthn Hawkes Bay Hugh Bowles 

(06) 374 6238

Wellington Meryl Baker 

(04) 528 7010

Linda Geeves

(04) 478 4820

Christchurch Joyce Fleming 

(03) 322 7990

 

Ngatuhoa 97 update

Ngatuhoa 97: from Saturday 18 January

to Monday 27 January.

A few reminders:

FREE BEACH GROUP members are entitled to a discount so please bring your Membership Card with you if you have not paid in advance. It you have paid in advance, Ted will have your details, so don't worry about having to pay twice.

Those arriving on Saturday 18th are invited by the Ngatuhoa's internationally acclaimed chefs, Bill and Fern, to bring a frozen #8 chicken for a communal barbecue on Sunday evening.

On Friday, Bill, Fern and helpers will roast another succulent pork on the spit, so bring a $5 note and some vegetables, wine and deserts to complement your share.

Saturday 25th will be your Olympic opportunity to participate in a rerun of that ancient Greek nude event, the Ngatuhoa triathlon.

Saturday night is the night of the ever popular fancy (un)dress ball, this year the theme is:

"BODY ADORNMENT"

Make sure you are at the locked gate at appointed times if you want to be let in. Remember too, NO animals are permitted, and we ask that you observe the general rules set out on the information sheet/enrolment form.

Bring a friend, All welcome.

We extend a special welcome to Sun Club members to join us for a unique experience.

For more details, phone Bill and Fern at 09 832 0544 or John at 04 589 0906 (week days), 04 589 5461 (nights/weekends).

A cell phone at the Lodge will be turned on each evening from about 6pm to receive calls (and possibly also at other times): 025 720 378.

Mapua Get-together

In the last newsletter it was announced that segregated trips to Mapua Leisure Park had been arranged. Well, that was the interpretation place on the attempt to keep everyone aware of who was doing what.

The separate visits were the result of independent planning by individuals unaware of the plans of others, and the newsletter merely reported these intentions. Mid January appears to be the more convenient time for those taking a holiday from work, so it is good news that South Island members are now hoping to be there at this time. A visit to Old Macdonald's Farm is included in the plans.

Subscriptions

We have received a few "complaints" from one or two (or three?) members that they did not receive a Renewal Form. These were included with the September-October newsletter, but we cannot guarantee we did not miss someone. It's obvious that many did receive their forms, and returned them promptly with their subscription, and in some cases, a welcome donation. A big thank you for all those.

To ensure that no one misses out, we are sending a complimentary newsletter to those who have not yet renewed, with an invitation to continue their valued membership.

Some may question, the value of being a member of the FREE BEACH GROUP. Hopefully we bring you the latest news of developments on the nudist scene, plus the opportunity to meet others who share these interests. The authorities welcome the opportunity to discuss the interests and rights of nudists when we approach them, and this helps to maintain a place in the sun for us all.

The FREE BEACH GROUP is at the forefront of the nudist (naturist) movement, providing unrestricted entry to test the benefits and pleasures of nudism. We conduct our activities in public where there is no pressure for the newcomer to remove all their clothes all at once. Our presence on beaches and other public places advances the nudist cause and demonstrates that it is safe and moral to be a naturist.

... and the winner

of the 1996/97 subscription refund and a Fed Bear Cap is Les Ward of Mt Maunganui. Les member has been a since 1978, so it's great to be able to reward Les for his continued support.

Coromandel Peninsula

Feel like a quiet naturist camping holiday on the Coromandel Peninsula this summer, in return for your opinion on it? Roy & Beverly Glen of Blackjack Rd, Otama Beach, RD2, Whitianga (PH: 07 866 2362) are offering just that. In past summers they have provided a "limited facilities" camp on their farm and have ideas for developing an area as a naturist park. Members are welcome to enjoy some camping, and in return help the Glens decide whether to develop or not.

Mini Rally

Wellington Sun Club will be holding a Mini Rally at their grounds Wellington Anniversary weekend, 18-20 January 1997. The invitation states that all sports will be played. Saturday night is titled "At the races" and Sunday night "Ethnic barbecue". For bookings and further information contact Ken & Judith Mercer (PH 04 478 4582).

US nude beaches in late summer

- hot, friendly and a bit different

I was fortunate to spend seven weeks in the US during August and September, and managed to visit some beaches and a nude resort.

Amongst the northern suburbs of San Diego is Black's beach. It is every stereotype from nudism and California bundled into one fascinating package. Over the years there have been arrests and protest marches but lately things have been fairly laid back. The most popular way to get there is by parking at a glider launching area and negotiating a precariously steep path down a 100 m cliff face. If it ever rains in this part of Southern California, it would be a death trap. Once at the bottom there's a half mile or so of clean safe beach, normally populated by hundreds of naked people. In New Zealand, the climb would mean people carrying the bare minimum of equipment, but everyone seems to cart in the essential chair and chilly bin.

Anyone who has driven from Los Angeles to San Diego would remember Camp Pendleton, a military base about the size of a small European country. As you drive through there is continual activity, with nasty looking helicopters flitting about as the marines train and patrol. Just south of the base is San Onofre Beach. It's located beside a nuclear power plant. The plant's containment structures look like an enormous pair of breasts emerging from the earth. San Onofre beach is easier to walk to and less crowded than Black's. As with many public beaches, you pay $3 - $4 to park and you get a parking space, rubbish bins on the beach, rangers and lifeguards. At the nude end of the beach there's a broken down fence marking the boundary with the military base. People invariably go over it to find a quiet spot. I witnessed the amazing ritual of several Jeeps and massive tanks or armoured personnel carriers crawling among the beach with naked people in front of them, not so gently returning them to the public land. I was told that this happens a couple of times every day.

The attitude in Florida was different. It's a very conservative state, but of course there are always enough nudists to create some space for themselves. Even so, two official beaches in the entire state for all the millions of residents and tourists is a bit mean. Miami's Haulover Beach, mentioned in the Sept - Oct Free Beach News is a sight to behold. Tucked in front of a park with high rise hotels peeking over at either end - but at a discreet distance for now - it attracts large crowds to the warm waters and safe environment.

People of all persuasions freely mix, and there's a distinct feel of the non conservative side of Florida, with a lot of shavers and interesting jewellery. Once again, there are paid lifeguards and beach patrols. This is what's possible when nude use of the beach more than quadruples parking revenues. I saw a few hundred people enjoying the 32 degree heat on a week day; it's not unusual to have 5 000 on a weekend.

The Florida weather is famous, in all kinds of ways. A string of hurricanes were lining up across the Atlantic Ocean, but only the unlucky people of South Carolina were eventually hit by the winds and sea surge. Despite the initial sledgehammer shock of humidity when arriving in Miami at midnight, it's very easy to get used to, especially when there are no clothes to get in the way. With reliable warm weather almost all year round, Florida is a full of tourist resorts, from Disney's monstrosities to the most exclusive clubs and retreats. Some of the best nude resorts around can be found there. Just north of Tampa is Club Paradise, also known as Paradise Lakes. Paradise has residents in houses and apartments, hotel rooms, motel style rooms and allows day visitors. 75,000 people visit every year, and there are 5,000 members. With a restaurant, bars, nightclub and some shops on the 75 acres, you don't have a reason to leave, unless it's to go to the supermarket. The nightclub is named Club Fred - not after our own furry chap, but is named after the owner. Daily rates are about US$70, which is about on par with similar, textile, accommodation. The resort truly never sleeps: the hot tub is always running, even at 4 am, and there's security around to ensure people don't misbehave. As usual it was much friendlier here than at the beach, and it was fascinating meeting people from all over the country. Most people knew a little about New Zealand, and it usually was "I've never been there, but I really want to go". Almost everyone was a regular visitor and I certainly left wishing my visit could be a bit longer.

Key West was a strange and captivating place: home to Earnest Hemingway and Jimmy Buffet, stacked with bars and restaurants, and teeming with tourists, drop-outs and people just scraping by but at least they are living on an island paradise. Other famous residents who have found refuge here include Harry Truman, Tennessee Williams and Gore Vidal. Despite the laid back carnival atmosphere there are no nude beaches (hey there isn't much room down there), but there's a thriving business in clothes optional guest houses.

continued...

US Beaches

US beaches continued ...

If you can put up with the ghastly rooms at the Atlantic Shores Motel, they have a clothes optional pier with a pool, bar and grill. Fortunately you can just stroll in off the street and pay for a deck chair if you want to. In most places in Key West any gender preferences are blurred and no one cares anyway.

Coming back to a rainy and cold Auckland spring I realised how lucky we are that we are not usually hassled by the law: we don't have sheriffs and park rangers constantly patrolling our recreation areas ready to arrest poorly clothed users. Most well used beaches have an organised group of regulars which is constantly at the ready to defend the misguided efforts of law makers and law enforcers to force their beliefs on others. Without a huge population, the number of beaches we can choose from is wonderful. But I've probably seen more gawkers and inconsiderate (male) behaviour here at home. Given the chance I'd definitely visit Paradise Lakes and Key West again - you can't beat a friendly atmosphere.

Allan Marshall

Auckland Diary

Beach Days

Auckland Beach Days are EVERY SUNDAY at Orpheus Bay and Pohutukawa Bay. Members, friends and sun club members are invited to join us on these outings. Directions to get there were included in the last newsletter.

Swim Nights

Hibiscus Coast Sun Club swim nights at Palm Springs, Parakai, near Helensville, resume on the last Saturday in February; and the last Saturday of each month thereafter, from 6pm to midnight; cost is $8 per adult. Take your own food and drinks, or buy it there.

Spa and Sauna

The Auckland Sun Club invites visitors to their Spa and Sauna Evenings, held every Sunday from 4pm to 7pm; cost $2-50 per person. Take your towel and your FBG Membership Card. For more information phone (09) 814 9973.

Waitangi Weekend at Rotota

Waitangi Day 1997 falls on Thursday 6 February, so if you take the following Friday as a holiday you will have a four day weekend to enjoy.

Rotota is having one of their famous "Pig on a Spit" meals on Saturday 8 February followed by evening entertainment.