# 135 - December 1990 

A Naturist
Club Dilemma

by Jacob Creek

It should be obvious that we in the clubs have no "pool" of unattached ladies from which we can draw when we wish to "balance" male applicants; otherwise there would be no need for the limits on single men.

The clubs, and the movement, can help by doing their utmost to introduce naturism to women, but I believe that the main part of the solution to our problem lies in the hands of the men themselves. Let us look at it this way, agreeing that it is a very difficult matter indeed for a man to approach a woman and suggest to her that she should join a nudist club with him. Most men do not expect to remain single forever. No matter what they may say today, somewhere in the future lies marriage. Almost certainly, they know, or will know, women - and from among those women will choose a wife. If marriage is to mean anything at all, it means mutual trust and confidence - a near-perfect understanding and agreement of the important things in life.

Naturism is one of those important things. The man who becomes a nudist without telling his fiancee is storing up trouble later on, and he is misleading himself if he thinks that he can wait until after he is married and then "convert" his wife. I know several men whose marriages have been wrecked by attempt to convert unwilling partners and by the knowledge that before marriage one or the other has been a naturist in secret.

I know that when I advise most single men to find their own partners; I am asking for trouble. I assure them that I know how difficult it is, but it can be and has been done. In fact, I did it myself! And, as far as I know, there is no other satisfactory solution to the problem.

The clubs are eager to help them. Many naturist families are doing their utmost to persuade women friends to join. Excellent work is being done by some of the young women members of clubs who are introducing naturism to their friends and workmates. This magazine is also doing its best by providing a service which helps and advises any reader who is in doubt about naturist problems. But in the end, the main part of the solution rests with the single men themselves. It's up to them!

Ask the secretary of any naturist club to name their biggest problem and, in nine cases out often, they will say at once, "single men!" The problem has been with us from the earliest days of nudism in this country, and we are still groping and scratching in our efforts to find a solution. the "couples only" rule is general, even if it is not applied very rigidly by some of the clubs and, while we argue and explain, hundreds - perhaps thousands - of single men whose help would be invaluable, are debarred from joining.

Many of these men resent, with considerable bitterness, their exclusion from the clubs. Some of them make suggestions and are only half-satisfied when they are told that something similar had been tried, many times. some of them will accept no explanation and accuse the clubs of everything from snobbery to "having something to hide." It is a problem which has to be faced for the sake of the naturist movement and in fairness to the men themselves. What can we do about it?

First of all, why should single men be barred? Why is it necessary to balance the sexes? Is it not true that the general public may put an entirely wrong construction on a rule which insists that there shall be a women "partner" for every male member of a club?

The reason for the rule is quite simple. Naturism implies a belief in "social nudism" - that is, nudism in which both sexes take part. It has been found, over many years that far more men then women try to join the clubs, and that any "over-weighting" by men tends to drive women members away. This is often denied, but it is, nevertheless, true.

It may be that in some clubs there are women who do not object to forming a tiny minority among a crowd of men; there may be husbands and fiances who do not mind if their wives or girlfriends are the only women in a club full of males; it may even be true that some women rather enjoy, for a time, such a state of affairs. But in general, a heavy overbalance of men does drive women members away. The fear that the general public will interpret the rule (if they know of it at all) as proof that there is "pairing off" in clubs may be justified.

But does it matter? Non-nudists may think even worse of a club where men outnumber women by ten-to-one than they do of a balanced one!

Why is it that more men then women wish to become nudists? If we can answer that question, we may have an important clue to the solution to our problem.

I believe there are several answers. The first are most important, being that the idea of naturism does not reach women as easily as it reaches men. For example: How many women pick up a copy of N.Z. Naturist, read it, and are attracted by the idea? That is the way in which most men hear of naturism for the first time.

Secondly, although women are more ready than men to wear scanty clothing, few of them seem to have any desire (until they have tried it) to "go naked'

Thirdly, there is the important, essential difference between male and female. A man my be suspicious about naturism, but he has little to lose and will "try anything once." The girl, trained to be suspicious of the motives of men, may be chary of giving naturism a trial - and certainly cannot afford to take risks. There are other reasons, too: fear of comparison, a dislike of "roughing it' and personal problems about which a women is likely to have doubts.

The solution is, clearly, to find some way of "putting naturism over" to the ladies. That will take time and meanwhile we still have our thousands of keen men of all ages who have no chance of getting into the clubs. Can we do anything for them - at once?

Some clubs apply their rules with considerable sympathy - several accept one single man for every couple. One or two clubs have refused to adopt the "couples only" rule, only to be criticized for having more men members than women - and the critics are, more often than not, single men!

The fact may help us in finding one solution: the fact that those men who have criticised clubs for their lack of women members expected someone else to provide their partners for them. They do expect that - and I have never been able to understand why.

This article is for people who are not born into naturism, but acquire it. Luckily, my folks were quite au currant in terms of body liberation. Back in the early fifties, my parents, my brother and I, and aunt and uncle, had a nude sauna at an old farm. My parents were not always completely secretive about covering up at home. Seeing them nude was not uncommon, nor was it spectacular. It was more a mildly sensual moment, eventually dismissed more with a yawn than raised eyebrows.

But later I used to swim nude and my buddies and I found it adventurous to slip out of our back yard tent and see how many adjacent lots we could traverse naked, at 3 a.m. Later, there were episodes of isolated nudity with close friends (mixed) at our family cottage (midnight skinny-dipping, hiking across empty fields). I like to think I was a typical young male from that era of jalopies, Brylcreem, and crinolines.

Many years later, my wife and I purchased a farm and Saturday evening saunas with close friends became ritualised.

When my parents would visit us, they saunaed with us. And I would occasionally dare to go bare around the farmyard on warm summer days. I operated on the legal but unpopular assumption that, if uninvited guests drove up the driveway and saw me (our nearest neighbours were about ½ a mile away), it was their problem. Such brashness, irresponsibility, or daring on my part did not endear me to my wife, but the intellectual, sensual, and emotional benefits of naturism were too much of an enjoyable challenge to closet up and forget. Hence my present naturist status.

Children are naturists by nature up until the onset of puberty, when they largely succumb to the conformist pressures of their textile school-chums. This explains (rather simplistically) why resorts have a tough time attracting this alienated social category. The body / self-image, is incomplete.

Someone said that Freud felt women were burdened historically with the task of civilising men. Men were (are?) by nature aggressive (especially physically) and risk-takers, and women are moral police for men's adventuresome spirit. Men are responsible primarily for social change, and women for social maintenance.

Now, before I get those letters, let me say I think this view had some truth to it up to the mid-sixties, but not since then. Today, the emphasis on equality and the actual gains by women in the workplace and the home preclude any suggestions that contemporary women are not aggressive nor risk-taking.

The early or mid-life decision to be a naturist does not come without its costs, however. It can lead to a whole host of new ceremonies being performed at home. For example, the regimentation of curtain opening and closing (even though windows are really for looking out of), a dressed / undressed timetable to accommodate the unpredictable and predictable visitors, the hiding of naturist literature from unsuspecting guests, and the swearing to secrecy of selected neighbours.

It may mean explaining an all-over tan to friends or health spa. It means explaining to grandparents where you're going every other weekend. It means finding a secluded cove or beach when at the cottage or vacationing by car, and so on. It's a complete change.

If you're more committed than your spouse, or vice versa, to naturism, this can cause rifts, particularly of the misinterpretation kind. Children of these parents often exhibit 'marginal' traits, or semi-naturist behaviours. So it is important that reservations of one spouse be discussed by both, so as to avoid unintentional public embarrassment of the other, particularly in conversation.

Kids don't mind disagreements over daily life issues, but parental rifts over core values like naturism often leave children confused, and perhaps alienated.

Public prejudice against naturist values are still so strong that, short of Marxian strategies of change, democratic adjustment to its ideology will take many more decades of effort. One quicker strategy of change, apart from role modelling and giving birth, might be to attempt to make naturism fashionable, much like the persistence of men's long ties. Social change is usually generated, if not led, by middle-class 'peripheral' intellectuals and entrepreneurs, including fashion designers.

Therefore the marketing of naturism could be swung from clubs and associations to a naturist franchise network, where each outlet would sell seminars, travel, and accessories to walk-in trade. Parents as entrepreneurs may find this system an invaluable way to make a living and pass a business on to their children, as well as help the movement. And I would suspect initial startup costs and overhead would be relatively low.

I see three naturist family types:

1. DABBLER Family. Here, nudity at home, vacation skinny-dipping, club visits, and the reading of naturist literature are rare occurrences.

Naturism is not discussed even with close friends, and children may not be included in parent naturist activities.

2. TRANSITION Family. Here nudity at home is quite regular, more so with parents, regular club visits are made, naturist literature is subscribed to by at least one parent, at least one parent discusses naturism with close friends, and children accompany parents to most naturist events (except as teenagers).

3. PROFESSED Family. Here, nudity at home and wherever possible is the norm for all members, naturism is freely discussed with all friends and anyone who asks, naturist literature is read by all members, parents may be involved politically with naturist groups, and children, even as teenagers, accompany parents to all naturist events: the family acts as a single unit.

These categories are not mutually exclusive, but, rather, briefly describe common and general features. The change from DABBLER to PROFESSED may never occur in a family's lifetime, due to risks, real or imagined, associated with altering core socialised values. But trying is its own self-reinforcement.

Terry L. Hill, Ph.D., is President of the FCN (Federation of Canadian Naturists), and is writing a book on the social psychology of naturism.

Article reprinted from Bare In Mind

Photo: Leif Heilberg

GERMANY

From East Germany we have recently received much positive news about naturist life. Clubs are in process of being formed; in Saxony the Saxon Naturist Association has been formed, with its seat in Leipzig. Because of the preparatory political decisions, by which sooner or later the Federal and Democratic Republics will form a single Germany, the East German naturist have decided not to seek their own membership of the INF. The East Germany naturist have on the contrary joined the DFK and thus, through the DFK, belong to the INF.

In Dresden, the club "FKK-Verein Waldteichfreunde Volkerstdorf e.V." has been founded, to be considered the successor of the naturist club in Dresden that was forbidden in the time of the Nazis. The club already counted over 600 members by the end of May 1990, as its chairman, Horst Ulig, reported.

Bart Wijnberg and I met the leaders from Leipzig, East Berlin, Dresden and Rostock on 19 April 1990 and learned much interesting news about the setting-up of organised naturism in East Germany. As the underlying theme, it can be declared that "Naturism is now allowed throughout East Germany'

Our friends Heinz Schultz and Wolfgang Hiob from East Berlin wrote regarding this:

"Until the end of the year 1989, naturism was strictly controlled by law in East Germany. Even if, in practice, the rules had been sensibly relaxed over the years, the "Regulation concerning bathing in the open air" of 18.5.1956 remained in force, which stipulated:

"Bathing without a costume (water, air or sunbathing) in places to which all have access is only authorised if the places are expressly opened up and designated to that effect by the competent local authorities or if the bathers without costumes can not be seen, under the given circumstances, by people who are not involved. Only children under the age of ten benefited from exceptions to this rule, which further stated:

"The setting-up of groups whose objective consists in organising, promoting or propagating naturism is prohibited" and:

Photo: ?   

"Any person who intentionally or unintentionally infringes the conditions of the present regulation will be punished by a fine not exceeding 150 marks or a prison sentence not exceeding two weeks."

This time has now passed. The changed that have taken place in East Germany have themselves allowed to evolution. Thus one could read in the "Berliner Zeitung" of 11.1.1980.

The disappearance of the decree relating to open-air bathing has passed almost unnoticed. When it was still in force, it forbade all persons to expose their unclothed bodies to the sun's rays or the waves in places other than those authorised by the local council. Those creating our new legal landscape obviously believe that every individual has enough decency not to drop his clothes in the market place or the shopping streets.

In suitable places, in the woods and the meadows, be may still make a beautiful picture, the naked adult citizen. "After this press release, all the citizens were still waiting for a new legal regulation, since such freedom of action was unimaginable. However, these regulations have not arrived. In April we (the undersigned) approached the Berlin magistrates and the Ministry of the Interior and asked what regulation of 1956 had been repealed and there would not be a new one.

"In the perspective of the coming summer and of the great possibilities offered to East German Naturists we would like to draw our observations to a close and wish all naturists worldwide similar regulations."

Meanwhile, the setting-up of clubs in East German is once again officially allowed. A corresponding "Law regarding clubs" was promulgated on 21 February and published in the official gazette of the Democratic Republic on 28 February 1990.

To close or not to close.

This was an article in the March 1990 Naturist written by Doug Cousins.

Some of us read this excellent account and felt it worth reading out at our Annual General Meeting. We couldn't help feeling that the second to last paragraph may be aimed at us. Quite a discussion was had, with some members feeling a little put out with these comments and felt that they would like to set the record straight. This was before my time in the club but it prompted me to delve into this and find out why our club decided to go ahead with these suggestions. It appears that the club felt that they were advertising within their limits and within the region. This does not mean that they were ungrateful for any suggestion put to them.

It just wasn't right for those on committee at that point in time. One of the members that can go back until then, decided to look back at old newspaper cuttings etc. and said that about that time a half page promotion was done with the Timaru Herald. Since then we have had more newspaper articles, open day photos and write-ups, talk- backs and advertisements. Even recently our President suggested talk- back in Ashburton. We have tried ringing past members. Lately a weekly ad in the High Country Herald has given us two more couples to interview but how about this for advertising. On April Fools Day this year, one of our members with a good sense of humour, seized the opportunity to ring Radio Caroline and say that the South Canterbury Sun Club would march down the main street of Timaru in full club uniform.

Maybe we haven't been heard of much in the Naturist or Wellington, but we certainly haven't been silent as the article suggests.

In fairness to some of our members who cannot stand up and be counted - it must be realised that they live in Timaru - one of the most conservative places in the country. They are family people who would lose their jobs if they openly came forward and as a club we respect the positions they are in.

Many people interested in the club said that our grounds didn't have enough to offer. Visitors didn't stay and gave them a miss because of lack of facilities. Although our grounds cost us nothing and we were grateful to have them, we were unable to develop them, probably the only club in the country unable to do so. This brings me to vandalism. Oh! how we have had our share of this. It was only this year, when many of us were away, that our children's pool was stolen. Thanks to one of our dedicated members and the police, we got our pool back.

An article went into the Timaru Herald.

It was in a way advertising and the opportunity was again seized upon to put forward what we are about.

For years we have been trying to get our own grounds with great opposition. But the dedicated few carried on regardless. On 20 July 1990, the signatures went on the legal documents and, at last, South Canterbury has somewhere to call home. This was only made possible by putting our situation to the locals in the area. We had their best wishes and agreed that at all times to respect each other. These folk made all this possible for us. They let us have their historic school on 5 acres.

We had planned to put our story to everyone through the Naturist before too long but this prompted it sooner.

Perhaps the time is right for us now.

"Yes." We have struggled to stay together at times but the main thing is that we have made it and will soon be able to share with many others with the same beliefs our new home.

For a small club, we now have big goals but above all a bond between us that has kept us going.

I guess that when the article was written by Doug Cousins he wanted reaction and he sure got it. Another one will probably happen from this one. If it keeps things moving then it has got to be good. He asks us "Are we suffering from our own Idleness?" Perhaps at times we could have done more but we don't really feel we've been too idle.

So as you can see - it is not always seen - that which is going on behind the scene.

Now we can develop, promote and advertise within our limits. Part of our agreement made was not to openly advertise where our grounds are. For example, anything at the gate, or in magazines. We must use our own discretion how we go about promotion making sure consideration is given to all parties.

Sometimes what is right for one club is not always the right approach for another.

PIRONGIA PARADISE

by Ray

Our comfortably furnished all-electric club house is fully equipped with fridge-freezer, stove, zip water heater, sink benches, and plenty of utensils, washing machine, hot showers (20 cents donation). Games and reading materials are also available. All this and more, open up the double doors and step out onto a large sunbathing deck, take in the sun and drink in the breathtaking views. Yes on a clear day you can see forever.

What else does the club have to offer members and visitors alike? We have available a mini-ten court, a volley ball court, tenniquoits, mini golf course, a filtered swimming pool, a flat camping ground. There is a children's playground complete with trampoline. Plenty of opportunity for taking time out and lazing in the sun. This is a great club to use as a base for day trips.

Hamilton: The largest inland city in New Zealand, cruise the mighty Waikato River, visit the Clydesdale Museum, the Hilidale Zoo Park, the Waikato Museum and the commercial centre where you can satisfy every need. Fancy a spot of fishing. Three quarters of an hour west is Raglan, a peaceful little seaside township situated on the harbour, with a world renown surf beach at the harbour entrance. Do the round trip, visit Raglan, then take the road via Te Mata, visiting the Bridal Veil Falls. Just a short walk through virgin bush to the spectacular fifty metre falls, a great opportunity to commune with nature at its best. Continue southwards passing the upper reaches of the Aotea Harbour until you reach the sealed road, turn right to Kawhia, a quiet peaceful little harbour-side township.

Mount Pirongia, or Pirongia Forest Park as it is popularly known is 32 kms south west from Hamilton. The central feature is a 959 metre high solitary massive hill giving extensive uninterrupted views of the rich farmlands of the Waikato. Pirongia Forest Park, which is a volcanic cone, is a popular recreational area. The many walking tracks, well used by trampers and strollers alike, meander up the many ridges to the summit. From this point on a clear day one can view the extensive and spectacular countryside below. By its very nature Pirongia attracts many citizens who have a love of the outdoors, hunting, tramping, picnicking, fishing and camping in permitted areas.

It is on one of these ridges near the bush line that the Waikato Outdoor Society has fifty acres of land. This land consists of three ridges and three gullies, facing north east for maximum sun. In fact its the kind of land where one really needs to have one leg longer than the other. By bulldozing a ridge flat, ground has been provided for the active members to create the very pleasant amenities that we now possess. What does a club do with fifty acres of hill country? A friendly neighbouring farmer grazes the land but at the same time it is available for members to explore and walk over. To have a picnic by the clear mountain stream. In the third gully, to go blackberrying.

To get out in the fresh air and to enjoy the peace and tranquility that the area offers, all free from the pollution of the concrete jungle.

What does the Waikato Outdoor Society have to offer? An easy twenty-five minute drive from Hamilton city by sealed road through pleasant pastoral farmland. The last four kilometres remain unsealed, but recent upgrading has considerably improved this section. There it is, heaven on the hill. A place where you can be stress free and get back to nature the natural way.

A short walk over the sand hills brings one out onto the rugged beauty of the west coast. Locate the right spot, dig a hole in the sand and hey presto you have your own private hot pool on a public beach. A pleasant drive on highway 31 via Pirongia Village will bring you back to the ponderosa.

Fancy something a little more up- market? An hour's drive from the club is one of the most impressive tour spots in the world, the Waitomo Caves. Even closer still is another world class attraction, The Otorohanga Kiwi House.

A cool day, well it can happen, why not a visit to the Waingaro Hot Springs, public, private pools and spa pools are available not to mention the water slide. After all this activity why not a cool drink at the Waingaro Hotel, before commencing the forty minute drive back to the ponderosa. Now all this and much more is available.

This well appointed club offers you time to relax and enjoy the simple things of life, the friendliness of the people, a place where time means nothing. It's a great place for a holiday. Why not use the grounds as a place for a stop over to or from, as a base for day trips, as a holiday venue. You will possibly want to stay longer than you first planned. Camp fees are five dollars per unit per night (I.N.F. Passport please.)

An overview from

Adrianne Caldwell

Wellington folk are still pretty conservative, and free beach enthusiasts are careful in selecting suitable spots for being nude out in the open.

Breaker Bay is Wellington's traditional nudist beach, and can be reached either through the Strathmore tunnel, or by taking the coast road from the end of the airport. It is tucked in under the rocky headland that separates it from Fort Dorset, and is sheltered in a north-westerly.

The Tararua Forest Park offers some rather delightful river spots. Try the Karapoti Valley, on the Akatarawa Road, a Wellington Regional Park (permit required), and Clouston Park, further along, where you can camp. Mangaone Valley, at the Waikanae end of the same road, has numerous little grassy clearings along its length. Just one caution - the Akatarawa Road is narrow and winding, and needs vigilant care.

The Otaki Forks river valley, further north, is a vast playground of bush walks, tramping tracks with huts, and swimming holes. The Department of Conservation have established a camping ground in the valley, and it is a popular holiday spot. But there is room for all. Follow the signs from Te Horo or Otaki.

The wild and windswept west coast is accessible to those with the confidence, or a four-wheel-drive, to cruise along its wide, sandy stretches.

For the rest of us, suitable spots can be found within a half-hour walk at Pekapeka (walk north), Te Horo (south), Tasman Beach (north), Waikawa Beach (miles of lumpy sandhills), Hokio Beach (either direction), Foxton Beach (north), and Himatangi (north). So take your pick, make a windbreak with driftwood, and the world is yours.

On the east coast there are very few beaches, and these can be quite crowded with textiles on a hot summer's day. Riversdale Beach is some distance east of Masterton. Walk south and find a sheltered spot in the dunes, or you may prefer to walk right around Uruti Point, where there is a long coastline of wild and isolated beach. This area can be reached from Homewood Road, along a dry weather track through farmland to the coast. Park in the tussock just past a hay barn, before you get bogged in soft sand.

Near Baring Head is another wild and remote spot, at the eastern end of Fitzroy Bay. Drive almost to the end of the Wainuiomata Coast Road, and park beside some sheep yards. Walk across the Wainui River Bridge, over the hill and down to the beach, about a twenty-minute walk. There is also a coastal track from the end of the Eastbourne Road, suitable for bicycles and motorbikes. Not recommended in a north-westerly.

If you're out looking for a place in the sun, and you come across a yellow Fred Bear flag planted in the sand, you will be welcomed by local members of the Free Beach Group. Organised outings are arranged every weekend over the summer months, and we invite you to join us. For information write to the Free Beach Group, P.O. Box 41-171, St. Lukes, Auckland 3.

Looking Back

Any isolated case of indecency on beaches will be treated as typical, ignoring the fact that behaviour on "ordinary" beaches is often open to objection. They will present petitions - one has already been submitted to Parliament. They will attempt to apply pressure to politicians and others in public life, implying that to support free beaches is "trendy lefty", or morally suspect. Perhaps most deadening will be the reluctance of those in authority to make any changes in the law, considering that the matter is unimportant, of interest only to a minority, and likely to antagonise electors.

There are various ways in which we hope to overcome these difficulties. One is to use whatever suitable beaches we can find in a manner which will not offend reasonable members of the non-nudist public, not obtruding ourselves on them, but maintaining a low profile. We must attract as many members as possible, recruiting from among workmates and friends. Perhaps counter-petitions would be a good idea. We must write frequent informative letters to magazines and newspapers. Speakers must be available to address various organisations. It should no longer be necessary for most of us to conceal our opinions, as the climate of public opinion is now more liberal.

We may have to resist attempts to link us with various types of sectional interest or unconventional behaviour. Our sole criterion for membership is that applicants must be genuinely interested in supporting free beaches. We are not selecting as members only those with "conventional" or "normal" outlooks. Everyone is welcome, but the essential thing is that we respect each other's right to dissent, and refrain from causing annoyance to our fellow members.

It has been very encouraging to notice the wide range of interests and ages in the Free Beach Group. I see a main function of the group in the forming of social links. Some societies centre on material objects such as sports cars or boats, while others exist to enable their members to participate in sports. We would be more than just another pressure group - we are people who share the view that the human body is to be accepted as it was designed by the Creator, not as something to be hidden, flaunted as a sex symbol, or exploited for money. Many men and women feel very lonely and powerless against the pressures of our present civilisation. I hope that through the friends that have been and will be made through the Free Beach Group, there will be some measure of spiritual refreshment.'

In 1978, three years after the Free Beach Group was formed, founding chairman Robin Hoare wrote an account of the history of nude bathing, and the aims and intentions of the Free Beach Group. This article first appeared as a Newsletter Supplement.

'We start with

100,000 BC - 1820 AD (approx) People swam and sunbathed nude, with no fuss and no comment. Swim wear did not exist.

1820s Sea bathing became fashionable. Bathing machines were invented to provide concealment at resorts. Fashionable women caused a scandal by staring at men bathing. Moralists advocated 'bathing drawers' though these were brief at first.

1840s Women were wearing voluminous swimming dresses. In less populated places swim wear was still optional.

1900 Sea bathing became even more popular. Over the next fifty years swim wear became progressively briefer with fashion changes. Conventional morality held that "nude is rude". Nudist clubs were established for those who disagreed.

1950s Daring souls started to use isolated beaches for nude swimming.

1970s The climate of public opinion is at last changing. More and more countries establish legal "free beaches". None yet in New Zealand, however.

1975 A Supreme Court decision rules that nudity in itself, is not obscene. A hoped-for amendment to the Police Offences Act was lost with a change of government. The Free Beach Group was founded.

Hopefully we get out our crystal ball and see in New Zealand:

Late 1970s Increasing public acceptance of beach nudity, with ordinary uncommitted families "giving it a go". Local authorities establish legal free beaches.

1980 Crowds on free beaches, so that local authorities have to designate many more.

1982 Many swimsuit manufacturers go bankrupt. Nearly all beaches are shared by nude and togged bathers.

1988 Parliament approves free beaches. Sun clubs still exist, offering social and recreational facilities which are always needed in the urban situation.

Coming back to earth, what is the Free Beach Group doing, and what are our plans? Our present policy is simple:

1.  To place on a central register the names of as many people as possible favourable to Free Beaches.

2.  To provide local information on opportunities for nude recreation. This could include information on sun clubs.

3.  To encourage social contact between members, and the use of all suitable facilities.

4.  To make representations to central and local government urging the establishment of free beaches.

The Free Beach Group started in Auckland, and with very little advertising has quickly grown to several hundred members. Recently we have started to expand nationwide. Advertisements in the N.Z. Naturist have attracted more than a hundred keen folk, and in most areas we now volunteer local organisers. These have the task of inserting small advertisements in local media, contacting members in their area, co-ordinating information on beaches, and arranging local social outings. They will probably co-opt committees to help them.

Ultimately, we see FBG as becoming a federation of local groups. For the time being, all clerical work is being handled in Auckland, but we are prepared to change this if it seems desirable.

It may be helpful to consider some of the opposition we will face. First we have those who, with a genuine desire to improve our civilisation, wish to do so by repressive legislation, and who are for the most part completely ignorant of the facts of social nudity. Some of these may have hang-ups which cause them to react violently to the idea. There are other folk who are consistently conservative in outlook, preferring the status quo to any changes. There are possibly also those who have a financial interest in the matter, such as swim wear manufacturers, pornography purveyors, or motel proprietors near beaches.

The methods of these folk may be by misrepresentation of the facts, for example, Miss Bartlett's assertion about the reaction of the normal man to the sight of a naked woman, or statements that we are seeking the sole use of beaches.

Letters to the Editor

a) Our first conclusion must be that his copy of the sacred text, and of "Cruden's Concordance" must have some pages missing. Has he, perhaps, excised from his copy, that naive explanation of the origin of the execration in which the Holy Scriptures hold the blacks?

b) The Holy Scriptures come from another era, another milieu, where the women walk veiled, (as among the Mahomedan Arabs), and even for a man to go bare of torso is an offence, (as, among the Pakistanis).

c) The Jewish myths and folk law have no relevance to this day and age, unless understood mystically, as explained by the Fathers of the Christian Church - very definitely not as expounded by the likes of the fundamentalists of the BUNZ school from whom Mr Grant obtained his diploma.

A.E. Molony.

Dear Editor,

Some clubs are discriminating against prospective single members, especially males. I wish to put some of my personal views forward concerning prospective single members, who are human beings, and not all perverts as some naturists feel. I feel it is time Naturists learnt to accept other Naturists regards to their marital status, sex, age, or looks.

We as Naturists who are at times discriminated against, should not be discriminative towards single male members. We should welcome them as part of the Naturist family, after all what is a family? Yes, it is a group of people who accept each other.

Paul Soffe

Dear Editor

We thought it was about time somebody wrote in and complimented the Naturist team on the great job you are doing.

The Naturist is one of a few nudist publications that still produces a family orientated magazine. We like the way you use the photos to present a well rounded and complete pictorial essay on naturism. The article content is both interesting and informative, our compliments particularly to Jacob Creek.

It is obvious from the quality of the Naturist that you both spend a lot of time and energy getting it right, you should be hailed as heroes in our movement.

Frank & Graeme

Dear Naturists

Sooner or later someone had to ask the question: Are we, as naturists satisfied with the level of progress being made around the world by our Associations to whom we pay our money to campaign on our behalf for great freedom?

I believe the answer to this question is a resounding NO.

Of course, as I travel around the world, I realise that there are still many thousands of naturists who are happy with the low profile and who wish to remain part of a 'secret' society, fearful, no doubt, of their jobs or the ostracism by their neighbours. There are, however, I am pleased to say, many of us who wish to see a more militant stance from our 'leaders' The same level of activity that won women the vote, gained legal freedoms for gays and abolished (at lease in law) racial discrimination.

We've been at it since the turn of the century and, frankly, the record of freedom gains is appalling with still only the single legal beach (coastal) in the country with the greatest potential for nudism - the USA.

In Denmark, since 1976, naturists have had total and legal freedom to sunbathe and swim anywhere they so choose. When are we in Britain, the US, Canada etc. going to catch up.

The low level of activity so far suggests - never!

Should we continue to allow requests for segregated legal beaches or demand our human rights to present our bodies as we wish on any beach?

Should we continue to tolerate the time wasting and political backstabbing at Association level at our expense?

Is it time to demand, with a loud voice, our rights to be clothes free where we choose and insist that those who represent us honour their members wishes? I think so.

It is ironic that I propose a lobby group for internal pressure on our Associations around the world whereas, this time and effort should preferably be directed at Governments, religious organisations and all of those who wish to restrict our freedom. That is, however, what I do propose.

If, like me, you are fed up with the lack of progress and have positive ideas for advancement, write to me,

David Ball, Organisation for Promotion & Expansion of Naturism (OPEN), c/- Heritage Video International, 72 Moss Lane, Macclesfield, Cheshire SK11 7TT, England or P.O. Box 4447, Whittier, CA 90607, USA.

Dear Editor,

That extraordinary article, "Should a Christian Join A Sun Club?" by Mr Raymond L. Grant, was unworthy of space in a serious journal. I would refer the thoughtful reader to the following:

Gen 9.2 1-27: And Noah began to be an husbandman, and he planted a vineyard: and he drank of the wine, and was drunken; and he was uncovered within his tent. And Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father, and told his two brethren without. And Shem and Japhet took a garment, and laid it upon both their shoulders, and went backward, and covered the nakedness of their father; and their faces were backward, and they saw not their father's nakedness. And Noah awoke from his wine, and knew what his younger son had done unto him. And he said, Cursed be Canaan; a servant of servants shall he be unto his brethren. And he said, Blessed be the Lord God of Shem; and Canaan shall be his servant. God shall enlarge Japhet, and he shall dwell in the tents of Shem; and Canaan shall be his servant.

Ex 20.26: Neither shalt thou go up by steps unto mine altar, that thy nakedness be not discovered thereon.

Ex 32.25: And when Moses saw that the people were naked; (for Aaron had made them naked unto their shame among their enemies:)...

What has Mr Grant to say of these texts? I quote: "I looked up all the references in both the Old and New Testaments' to the words naked and nakedness" ... and he then proceeds to explain the "shame of nakedness" as meaning destitution, to the extent of not being able to afford proper clothing; or to euphemistic use of the word "nakedness" while prohibiting various forms of incest. Taboos against nudity, he says, date back to the Victorian era.

What are we to conclude from a study of the texts quoted at length above (coupled, of course, with those cited by Mr Grant)?

PALMERSTON NORTH SUN CLUB

At our AGM in September, we unanimously granted Life Membership to Audrey Gudsell, in recognition for the many years of service that she and her family gave to the Club. The beautiful grounds that we have today are the result of the efforts of her family and other pioneers in the early 1970's.

The shell of our new clubhouse is now complete. It looks very beautiful as it casts a reflection into the large pool. Our first social of the season, the Labour Weekend Spring Festival, provided us with a chance to celebrate the new building and give our thanks to the builders who have been working steadily over the winter. There were plenty of activities, including a smorgasbord, sports and games for fun and fundraising, and videos for the young folk during the evening socials. To top off the celebrations, a "Think Pink" champagne breakfast was the highlight of the weekend.

After the success of this year's mini- rally, we plan to hold another mini- rally and open days on Wellington Anniversary weekend. We have all the amenities, including two powered and watered caravans partially equipped for rent on a first-come first-served basis. We welcome visitors and members from other clubs to take part in our sports and socials.

BAY OF PLENTY SUN CLUB

Garry and I arrived back "home" from our 15 week tour of Northland, having just missed the deadline for September copy, hence no report in the last issue. The grounds were looking fresh and green and a new area of ferns, flax and shrubs had been planted out behind the clubhouse. A well supported working bee was held to chop down trees which were growing too close to the power lines or generally getting out of hand and resulted in a good supply of firewood for many months to come. Indoors the members had not been idle as a start had been made on completing the kitchen units and new curtains graced the lounge windows.

During the cold weather our resident custodians could have felt quite lonely and isolated but members who don't have too far to travel have made a splendid effort to come out to the club for pot luck teas around the fire, followed by a soak in the hot tub and I would hazard a guess that never before has there been such continuous social activity in the winter months.

The fish 'n chip shop in Matata should have noticed an increase in trade too!

We gather that the mid-winter Christmas dinner was a huge success attended by 39 adults and 23 children. We missed it but did catch Auckland Sun's on our way through and enjoyed their hospitality and warm welcome - thanks to you all. Birthdays provide a good excuse for get-togethers and a recent 60th celebration saw 56 people of all ages gathered in the clubhouse for a party dinner and a right royal feast it was.

Our half A.G.M. was scheduled for the following day and passed off fairly smoothly apart from a lively discussion on whether to allow dogs on the grounds, suitably confined and controlled. This would necessitate a rule change which requires a special general meeting to put the motion before the members and advance notice of this intention must be given: so no decision was made at this stage.

A number of maintenance jobs and improvements are planned for future working bees; one is to re-route our very popular water slide to allow the flow to return to the creek instead of continuing on through the grounds but this is not going to be as simple as we first imagined and needs further thought.

Great News! Our caretakers are now on the telephone and happy to receive calls from intending visitors. The number is Whakatane (076) 22-052, so the next N.Z.N.F. Annual Rally being in Christchurch, why not all you people who would have attended a North Island venue but can't make it to the South, come and spend your holiday at sunny B.O.P? You can ring for directions if you get lost or to check availability of camping space but we have never yet had to turn anyone away - the more the merrier!

The committee is hoping that if they give Rotota plenty of time to organise a team to play volleyball and/or other games, indoors or out, then, perhaps around February next, the contest for our "Ashes" trophy, which used to be known as the Roto-Bop Challenge, can be revived.

GISBORNE COUNTRY CLUB

The touch of spring in the air has been tempered with sadness this year with the deaths of two of our members.

Charlie was a foundation member of the Gisborne Sun Club and although he had not enjoyed good health for some time his death was quite unexpected. Murray's loss was a shock to us all, at 54 he had recently commented how well he had been since he and his wife had adopted a cholesterol free diet. His death from a massive heart attack was totally unexpected.

On a brighter note our A.G.M. saw a good attendance and the election of several new officers including Chairman, Treasurer and the addition of an assistant Secretary. We are hoping the new structure will make our administration more effective. Club membership is still very low but we are still receiving a satisfactory flow of enquiries from the public.

We held a Saunathon to raise funds for telethon and had a very good response from members but were disappointed in the response from the general public who were invited to join us. We are looking forward to a visit from Bay of Plenty Club in November and are preparing to receive them in grand style. We have had several enquiries regarding camping this summer and wish to remind everyone that we now have accommodation available on the grounds but please book early. We now have new phone numbers in our district so please make a note that we can be contacted at either (06) 867-8157 (P.R.O.) or (06) 867-3607 (Secretary).

FREE BEACH GROUP

After a well-attended AGM in Ponsonby, sixty-five members of the Free Beach Group headed up to Waiwera for our annual barbecue and hot splash. Several people had travelled all the way from Wellington and other parts of the North Island especially for the occasion.

The drive up was not the best, with the sun trying hard to shine between downpours, but inside, the pool was lovely and hot. We hurried into our bareskins and disappeared into the steam.

Nobody had brought a ball, so, no ball games! Instead, we just enjoyed the warmth, really good for aches and pains.

The aroma from the cooking wafted past as we sipped our drinks and nibbled on snacks and the leftovers from afternoon tea. Just when we could wait no longer our dinner was ready.

Steak, sausages, three different salads, and yummy potatoes baked in a special sauce, followed by cheesecake, tea and coffee. Good food and good conversation, then back into the pool to warm up again.

Whilst most of us set out on the long drive, some stayed overnight at the Waiwera motor camp, and had a quiet soak in the spa before retiring.

It was a great night for one and all.

CANTERBURY SUN CLUB

Question: What's the best time to have a meeting?

Answer: The morning after the Brass Monkey Ball.

Yes, Dr Who'n and his fellow time travellers are not fazed by the daunting aspect of fronting up on a cold winter's morning for team meetings.

The bonus of sitting around the fire amid the luxury of our carpeted lounge certainly made it more palatable. By the time we dragged ourselves over to the clubhouse the fire was lit and already the aromatic smells wafting from the kitchen suggested an interesting pot-luck lunch.

As many of you already know, The Canterbury Sun Club is a year round club and even though "Opening Weekend" is a month away at the time of writing, we have been very fortunate to have many enthusiastic people organising social and sporting events and even would you believe it - working bees over the last few months! All this and a rally under way.

I don't know whether to thank or abuse our Sports Officer for our club taking over the YMCA Sports complex last Saturday night. After squash, table tennis and badminton and not just one game either; I was in pretty poor shape on the miniten court the next day. Some people were even climbing the walls! Alps Sports I think they call it.

Spring is well and truly here in Canterbury and visitors to the club will find many of us out at the club during the week. I am now dubbed an "honorary member" of the "Thursday Geriatrics" (social mid-week miniten).

Not too far away in our calendar is our "Visitors Day". We hope to have lots of prospective members visiting the grounds and we will also be showing promotional videos.

Would you believe that the club is having a Brewing Competition? Talk about different! The "President's Choice" will be selected at the Rally by a panel of "celebrity judges" (a pack of hop-heads by any other name). If you haven't heard about it, get your Rally Registration Forms in and get your brew down now. This is Pineglades Mission Control ... over and out...

THE AUCKLAND SUN CLUB

The winter may have been long and wet but all was not gloom and doom at The Auckland Sun Club. Our monthly social gatherings were well attended. The most memorable thing about the mid year Christmas Party was the seafood soup. This was a real gourmet's delight made by our own Hank. This set the standard for the whole feast and every dish gave the same delight to the palate.

The "Murray Glade Meet" was an hilarious affair. This was a canabalised version of the 1990 Wellington Rally horse racing. There were three races on the card but another had to be improvised at the last moment to satisfy the punters. By popular demand a summer meet is to be organised out on the lawn.

"Neighbours Day" was a good exercise in public relations. Those families who dropped in for tea and a chat were pleasantly surprised at our clubhouse and grounds. A lot of them did not know that there was a nudist club in the neighbourhood.

Now that things are drying out a bit the grounds have been cleared of the winter's debris. It's amazing how many branches, twigs and palm leaves get strewn about in a few weeks. The lawns have had their first spring cut. Work has been started once again on the cobblestone path. The flower garden in front of the clubhouse has been enlarged and re-planted. The compost from last years lawn clippings certainly helps to break up the extremely heavy soil.

We should really re-name our club The Auckland Sun Club & Bird Sanctuary. Besides all the other birds that have been previously catalogued our most recent visitor was a cock pheasant. Not bad really as we are in the middle of a built up area.

WAIKATO OUTDOOR SOCIETY

Away we go again keeping the Waikato Outdoor Club on the Naturist map. We recently had a partial committee change and the new committee is now re-charged with enthusiasm for the coming year and have quickly swung into action preparing a calendar of social events for the remainder of the year. All are ready to tackle the challenge of keeping the club running smoothly for the benefit of all members and visitors. We are indeed extremely grateful for all the work the previous committee had done for our membership.

Although, over the winter months there has been much work completed at the clubhouse, you know, all those little finishing off jobs, it hasn't been all work and no play, many of our members have kept together attending the spa evenings at a member's home. We thank our hosts for their hospitality, even if one cold Sunday evening they were rudely awakened from their fire-side slumbers with the arrival of several car-loads of members to attend the spa. Now who forgot to heat it up? Never mind, an impromptu social evening resulted each enjoying each other's company.

Our members are now enjoying the new clubhouse, they deserve to take life at a more leisurely pace as many worked extremely hard in sometimes difficult conditions to meet established goals of having the building completed within the twelve month period. We did it but in doing so would like to take this opportunity to publicly thank all members of other clubs, New Zealand wide, who supported us both morally and financially. It's always good to know that when your chips are down there is support a-plenty.

We are all looking forward to summer, it will be great to get to the club, shed clothes and economic woes and enjoy a natural lifestyle, play sport, swimming or just relaxing in the fresh air.

NEW ZEALAND CLUB DIRECTORY

The secretaries of these clubs will be pleased to hear from genuine inquirers. Please enclose return postage.

new zealand

naturist

No. 135 December 1990

The New Zealand Naturist is the Official Journal published quarterly by the New Zealand Nudist Federation Inc. Registered at the Chief Post Office Wellington as a magazine.

Editor:

Graeme Brown

Business Manager:

Frank Murphy

Typesetting and Artwork by:

Ad Service, P.O. Box 22271, Otahuhu

Plates by:

Ellar Litho Graphics Ltd, East Tamaki

Printed by:

Aarkon Printing Ltd.
P.O. Box 38065, Howick

Distributed by:

Gordon and Gotch (NZ) Ltd

(Top)

AUSTRALIAN NUDIST CLUB DIRECTORY

This magazine is protected by copyright, no part of it may be reproduced. stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form by any means electronic, mechanical, photographic, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the prior written permission of the editor.

In our desire to present different points of view we publish articles and letters which do not necessarily represent the opinion of the editor.

All correspondence should be addressed to:

P.O. Box 2925,
AUCKLAND.
NEW ZEALAND

General inquiries concerning nudism in New Zealand, or overseas, should be addressed to the:-

New Zealand
Nudist Federation Incorporated
P.O. Box 1359. Wellington.
NEW ZEALAND

President: June Campbell-Tong
Wellington 356-918

Applications for membership of clubs should be made direct to the club secretary (See Club Directory)
 

PHOTO CREDITS

Freddy Karstensen - F.C. P10, B.C.

Les Olsen - I.F.C.

Leif Heilberg - P2, P5

Graham MacGregor - P3, P15, P21

Robert Broekstra - P6, P19

Doug Ball - P9, P11, P12, P17

Bill Baine - P13, P14

STATE ASSOCIATIONS:

Nudist Association of Victoria,*

P.O. Box 313,
Reservoir 3073

Nudist Association
of Queensland,*

P.O. Box 442,
Woodridge Qld 4114.

NOTE: The clubs marked with an asterisk (*) above are affiliated with the Australian Nudist Federation.

DEADLINES FOR COPY

136 March 1990 - 30th January 1991

137 June 1991 - 20th April 1991

138 September 1991 - 15th July 1991

139 December 1991 - 1st October 1991