# 162 - September 1997 

When I think back to my first foray into 'organised nudism" I cannot help but feel how very lucky I am that my life has taken this path over the last 14 years. On many occasions I would take my two young children for a picnic and a "swim in the nudd" at a wonderful swimming hole under the Stratheona Bridge at Pleasant Point. It wasn't long before we literally stumbled over the grounds of the South Canterbury Sun Club who at the time leased a block of land just over the stop-bank.

Of course when I eventually visited "Pineglades" a year later, I did not take much convincing to move house (or rather caravan) from my home town of Timaru, and the grounds at Rolleston became my home base off and on since. The subsequent purchase of a lovely roomy bach at "Pineglades" has enriched my lifestyle in a way that many of my textile friends find hard to understand - until they visit me! It has also enabled me to play host to many of my extended family from within the nudist movement. Now a "townie" purely for economic reasons I relish the opportunity my rear section enables me to continue my relaxed way of life around my home in Christchurch.

We had a pretty casual attitude to nudity in our family and I find it strange that neither my older brother nor my two sisters enjoy clothes free living with as much enthusiasm that I do. I used to swim a great deal and many a time left my togs on the raft at Caroline Bay and continued to swim around in the nick. Lucky for me nobody nicked them!

During my early teens I became. involved in the local pipe band and continued this interest and enjoyed the fellowship of several thousand others well into my adult life. Now, the thought of donning all that clobber and marching around in the sun turns me pale. I still enjoy listening to pipe band music and used to think that New Year's Eve with the pipe band was just the "bees knees". That was until I went to my first nudist rally and I haven't looked back since, nor have I missed one.

Very much a social animal, at last I had found my place in life. I became a "rally freak". Not only was all my spare time centred around Pineglades and other nudist clubs and venues, but the rally became the highlight of my year.

Somehow or other I always found the time and the money to go. The appointment of Delegate for the Canterbury Sun Club was mine purely by default, as the person originally intended for the post was unable to travel to Auckland that year. Suddenly there was a whole new dimension to this nudist thing.

Soon afterwards I became Secretary for CSC which unleashed my penchant for writing. Further involvement in club administration over the years gave me a few extra strings to my bow and as the saying goes "the more you put into something, the more you get out of it" is certainly true for me.

This is part of the "serious fun" that I enjoy so much about club life and is also the one and only place on earth that we do not have to wear restrictive clothes when playing sport. Let's show an example to others that this is the only way.

But being a nudist, if I must stereotype myself for the benefit of this article, is not just about going out to the club for the weekend and dropping your knickers. To me it is much more than that. It is an attitude towards the whole acceptance of your body and that of others in a natural sense. It is an honesty, for what can we hide? We do nothing for which we are ashamed. It is a sensuality and yes, let's not kid ourselves, even a sexuality which others will deny. In fact over the years many have gone to great lengths to convince the public that nudists are just not sexy. Well they're wrong! I don't mean that we are all at it behind the bushes as the public are purported to perceive us, but it's a sure bet that a good healthy sexuality can only be enhanced by the nudist lifestyle.

For so many (women in particular) the whole experience of divesting themselves of that former veil of modesty opens up a whole new world of self esteem and confidence in themselves when introduced to communal or social nudity. Whether it be at a club such as Pineglades or any of the wonderful beaches and tramping areas around New Zealand that offer this freedom, the change in attitude is remarkable.

Whilst I respect other peoples freedom, I feel we should not allow our freedom to be restricted by old fashioned prudery, extreme conservatism or hypocritical moral ideas. We should be aware of the responsibility we have as nudists to protect this freedom for ourselves, our children and others worldwide.

If I have a mission as National President, then it is that clothes free recreation become an accepted and valued choice among New Zealanders. That clubs and free beaches be an essential area for safe social nudity enjoyed by singles, couples and families alike. To be part of mainstream community activities.

Go Natural - clothes free recreation. It's a lifestyle and we should be shouting it from the rooftops.

Kay Hannam

President NZNF

Photo: Brian Williams

As with most new members and visitors to "Pineglades" I was encouraged to play miniten and it wasn't long before I was hooked. From someone who had only played tennis half a dozen times as a teenager, playing miniten became a real challenge and many of you will have witnessed the passion (not to mention the aggression) I now have for this pastime.

Word had got around! Each evening had a different theme and most passengers dressed accordingly. There was tropical night with grass skirts and little else, flower child night when flowers appeared in all sorts of unexpected places, a toga night, just like the Romans but without the orgies (as far as we knew), Carnival night with gorgeous head-dresses and lots of sequins, and country and Western night when a whole lot of passengers had remembered their boots and Stetsons but forgotten the rest of their costumes. A good time was had by all but we couldn't help thinking that the dresses owed more to exhibitionism than to naturism. They certainly weren't for the strait-laced. Some of our pioneers would have turned in their graves.

Talking of evening gatherings, those not determined to swell the coffers of the Regency Line in the casino had a choice of several types of music to listen or dance to in the various bars and lounges. The main entertainment was in the Regency Lounge with compeered SHOW-TIME, involving singers, dancers, comedians, a magician, parlour games, audience participation, and a talent show. The most riotous was the fancy dress competition with over three hundred and fifty official entries, apart from dozens of others in the audience who dressed up for the fun of it. Every imaginable variety of dress and undress was on show and some of the body painting was beautiful. The highlight was a hilarious judging ceremony with a triple comedy act between two Bare Necessities staff and the Cruise Organiser. The crew entered into the spirit of the cruise. The Norwegian girl on the Purser's desk said "We've had a lovely time. You complain less. You smile more. And you are fun to have around."

We had four ports of call and it was fortunate that naturists are more resilient than most. The first was at the desert island of Little San Salvador in the Bahamas about a hundred miles southeast of Nassau. We anchored in an idyllic bay with silver beach fringed with palms and crystal clear water gently lapping the shore.

Aboard the 'Regent Rainbow'

She was young; she was blonde; she was from Macclesfield. As we lay under a cloudless sky on the sun deck of the Regent Rainbow steaming at 17 knots over a deep blue sea a hundred miles off the coast of Cuba, she approached us in her waitress' uniform with her tray at the ready:

"Would you like anything to drink?" She was just one of the three hundred and fifty or so crew of the Regent Rainbow who catered for our every need. "What do you think", we asked, "when you were told you would be having nine hundred naked people aboard?""We didn't believe it! But you are such lovely people. You are so nice. Everybody should take all their clothes off!" We had made a convert!

We had set sail from Tampa in Florida for a nine-night cruise on the Regent Rainbow, a 25,000 ton Greek pleasure cruiser, six hundred feet long, registered in the Bahamas and chartered by Bare Necessities Tour & Travel Company of Austin, Texas.

She had a Greek captain, European officers, many of them British, including the head waiter from Liverpool, and a crew reputedly representing 42 nationalities. The chef was French and the variety and range of food lived up to their reputation: we dined in style, if not in costume.

On the second evening we were invited to dine with the Captain, a pleasant Greek gentleman on the verge of retirement. His choice of wines was excellent and he told us much about his ship and his plans. He was going to retire to his birthplace on a small island in the Cyclades, off the coast of Greece near Athens. Although he had been used to seeing a few naked bodies on the beaches, he had never expected to have 900 on his ship. But he was adjusting to the idea! The story would stand him in good stead for a meal or two when he got home! Other cruise captains had cast a few envious remarks. One day we passed the Captain's original ship and it came in close with passengers and crew lining the rail.

Then came the snags; to get ashore one needed to take the ship's tenders. But the boarding platform jammed and it was all of two hours before the first tender could get away to take passengers to that tantalising beach. Even then, the landing jetties on shore had collapsed and people had to clamber off the tenders chest deep into the sea to scramble ashore. Fortunately, few had clothes on to soak or cameras to ruin. But one can think of better ways of landing on a desert island. Nevertheless, most people thought it worth the effort to spend the day on such a magnificent beach.

Next stop was La Samaná in the Dominican Republic on the island of Hispaniola. We berthed at a long jetty by a freight terminal where a forest of palms concealed a village of tin huts and, surprisingly, an airstrip. As we watched, pelicans swooped and dived for fish between the ship and the shore. Excursions had been laid on to the new nudist resort at Club Paradise, through the forests to the beach at Las Terrenas or on a boat to see the humpback whales and visit the National Nature Conservancy on an island offshore. There was confusion. Local pickets objected to some of the coaches which had been chartered and blocked their passage.

Some coaches went to the right beaches with all the food on board whilst some went to the wrong beaches with no food on board. Some were held up by armed police for reasons which were difficult to fathom. Some independent souls went off on their own.

But they were intercepted by police who demanded bribes for giving them directions. However, all worked out in the end with surprisingly little agro and the ones who went to the Nature Conservancy saw a whole school of humpback whales and an assortment of flying fishes. Those who missed out on refreshments on the beach were well fed as soon as they got back to the ship by a remarkably flexible kitchen staff. But a few tempers were frayed nonetheless.

After a day at sea, our next port of call was Ocho Rios on the north coast of Jamaica. Excursions were laid on to Bonham Springs where one could bask by tumbling water falls amidst lush tropical vegetation; to Prospect Beach, four hundred yards of soft, white coral sand with a local reggae band; or a sight-seeing tour of the region around Ocho Rios itself, taking in the spectacular Dunn River Falls, a series of cascades hundreds of feet high, the Fern Gulley gorge with towering tropical trees on each side, and the Shaw Park Gardens, a riot of tropical colour overlooking the Port and harbour of Ocho Rios.

The next day was very different. We landed at Grand Cayman, a civilised island, clean, neat and tidy, free from beggars and where traffic drove on the left! In short, British Territory! The tours offered were spectacular and went without a hitch. Experienced divers could take 300-seater boat fully equipped with snorkelling equipment to see some of the beautiful reefs and sunken shipwrecks around Grand Cayman.

The less adventurous could dive the easy way inside the Atlantis Submarine going down to 150 feet below the surface to inspect the living tropical reef off-shore with exotic fish, beautiful corals and sponges and all the strange creatures that inhabit the depths. Finally, a coach tour around the island took in the beaches, the rock formations, the turtle farm, the colonial buildings, the museum and visited Stringray City, the most famous tourist attraction of the Cayman Islands. The only disappointment was that we could not take in all four.

On our last day at sea we skirted the western tip of Cuba and sailed overnight back to Tampa. But it was not without celebration. The restaurant staff dressed up and carried round a cake and banner, singing the while. The restaurant manager made a little speech of thanks, saying it was a voyage he would never forget. Finally, after dinner on that last night, there was the amateur talent show in the Regency Lounge. A whole variety of acts and talents took part and the lounge was packed to capacity. Not only did passengers entertain, but the cruise director and excursions organiser took their clothes off to great cheers to join in the fun. Snags there had been, but it was a happy crowd which disembarked the following morning at Tampa and very many of them have already booked on next year's Winter Cruise on the Dolphin IV.

By Paul Taylor.

Photos: Paul Taylor

ORCHARD SUN CLUB

POLAR PLUNGE

We were the advance guard. Three of us. Otago naturists determined to find joy in unexpected places. Even to enjoy swimming on a grey, moody June Dunedin day with a maximum of 10° Celsius.

An hour before the plunge we trundled a cart load of wood across the paddock to the beach. No wind. Great. We chose a spot for the fire on the sand near a protecting rock. Snug. The women and the bloke got the fire going and gathered driftwood, enjoying the sound of surf and the smell of wood smoke.

We found carrying and chopping wood hot work so off came the clothes. The cool air on our bodies was exquisite. As well as the glee of being nude on a gloomy midwinter day, not to mention the pleasure of fire warmth from top to toe, it was all here - earth, water, sky and fire. And we industrious primitives at one with it.

Soon others began to trickle down to the beach. The nakedness was infectious and the intending swimmers stripped too in preparation. One such standing by the fire was heard to say "Ah, it's great to warm m'self without having to lift the kilt". A certain cheeriness and levity grew and at one stage the nude ones formed a welcoming archway for the new arrivals and there were outbursts of spontaneous song. Sachiko, a Japanese backpacker who had been invited for the event, was intrigued.

Soon the moment came. Like penguins standing on an ice floe unsure of the water we looked from the warmth of a sheltered fire to the sea. Then we ran and plunged, and laughed and sang and played and hugged before waddling back to the fire.

Photos: Winston Reid

Then... back in again, just for the hell of it! Soon, a little more chilled, we began to need the fire. A winemaker among us brought out a Thermos of mulled wine and tiny glasses for each. In good southern tradition we warmed ourselves both without and within.

None of us was in a hurry to dress, such was the gentleness of both the gathered people and the day, so we mingled and talked, nude and clothed for almost an hour.

Reluctantly we dressed, tidied the beach and doused the fire. As we walked from the beach up to our host's house for afternoon tea, we were filled with an uncommon pleasure at the fun and bonhomie we had found together, knowing once more that our naturist instincts are good and wholesome and knowing too the satisfaction of finding joy even in the cold and unexpected places.

by Mack

[Part 1] [Part 2]

In our June instalment, we started to examine ancient Greek philosophical notions with the concepts of the mortal body and the immortal mind or soul. The purpose of life was to prepare for eternity by living a pure life. But how?

Pythagoras, the mathematician, taught that leading a pure life meant repudiating sexual desire. He called it a "fury of the soul" and although he didn't advocate total abstinence, many of his followers did.

Plato took things a stage further in teaching that ideas (soul) were superior in character to matter (body). He claimed the soul was hindered by physical needs and desires. To Plato, ideas were perfect but matter could never hope to reach that level.

He extended his dualism to love. Sacred love was "agape" and profane love was "Eros". True happiness could only be found through "agape", the non-physical (platonic) love which could lead to self-mastery an end to the disease of physical craving. Plato wrote, "Copulation lowers a man to the frenzied passions characteristic of beasts and for this reason sexual desire belongs to the lowest element of the mind."

Greek and Roman (and eventually, Christian) philosophers followed Plato's lead. For example, Diogenes the Cynic said all desires and appetites not necessary for maintaining life should be renounced. Sex was unnecessary.

Zeno was a little more practical. He believed instincts and emotions weren't a problem if they were kept within bounds. So, marriage was acceptable if its purpose was procreation but passion (even in marriage) was wrong.

Seneca, a contemporary of St Paul's, urged the Romans to love with judgement, not affection.

In other words, the head should control the heart. This contradicted Jesus who taught that the good person is ruled not by reason but by the passion of love for all humanity.

Yet, it was the Greco/Roman ideas that Paul brought into Christianity. He was the new religion's missionary to the known world and new churches recognised him as the expert when they came up against issues they couldn't resolve themselves.

Meanwhile, the Jews, by and large, retained their traditional ideas. Even during the medieval era, the Rabbi, Rachmanides wrote, "The Lord created all things in accordance with his wisdom and whatever he created cannot be shameful or ugly." I suspect he was more in touch with Jesus' own attitude than Paul or any of his subsequent disciples, such as .the infamous St Augustine.

Most historians believe Augustine, whose "Confessions" read more like bragging than penitence, effectively established the Christian Church's position on nudity and sex. Like Paul, Augustine brought his previous belief system, Manichaeanism, with him when he converted to Christianity and overlaid that on Paul's ideas. Mani was a Persian philosopher who taught, similarly to the Greeks, that there were two eternal principles, light and darkness, God and matter. There was also reincarnation for laymen. The elite priestly class escaped being reborn. The Christian church, not surprisingly, rejected Mani and his beliefs.

However, Augustine managed to make those Manichaean ideas fit into his version of Christianity when he converted and it was his narrow attitudes, partly inspired by personal guilt, which became incorporated into western civil law from the seventh century on.

That was the start of the idea that the state should enforce moral good by making activities the church decrees as sinful illegal. Conversely, throughout history, the state has used religion as an excuse for laws which are questionable but seen as politically expedient.

Next issue we'll look at what happened in the Reformation to loosen attitudes a bit, thank goodness!

Photo: Les Olsen

Since his letters were written before the Gospels, there was nothing in writing for him to refer to, so it suited Paul to incorporate ideas and philosophies which were already familiar to his new converts, as long as they didn't run counter to his understanding of what it meant to be a Christian.

Since he was working within the Roman Empire and Greece, and tended towards misogyny, he could comfortably adopt their attitudes to nudity and sex, especially when he was determined to make Christianity as distinctive as possible from Judaism.

Moved a year or two ago. Back to suburbia. Met a new neighbour. Their house looks right over our backyard.

"I'm a naturist," I specified, after long enough chat to assess him as an okay guy rather than retired farmer. "That okay with you?"

"Oh - that's not going to worry me. Previous tenants used to go topless." He seemed to offer by way of explanation.

"And the missus" I ventured.

"No, can't see her worrying either . . . I'm a Mason," he added after a pause.

"Oh! Really." I responded, playing for time, trying to conceal the shock. "What does that mean, when it comes to the crunch? I thought you weren't supposed to let on about that, to outsiders."

"Oh no, it's not really like that at all, it's not the secret society that people think."

"So, what do you do, apart from have cloistered meetings?"

"Well, we do all sorts of things for the community, and we look after our old folk with retirement homes and the like."

The conversation continued for some time. I was fascinated.

Now I have some idea of where the Masons are at. I was intrigued. Like an active member, there's nothing like talking to an expert; to assess the truth, the meaning, the value, of a subject.

"Would you be interested in going along to a meeting sometime?"

"Ah well," I mumbled. "Maybe sometime, but not right now thanks all the same." My palms seemed to be getting sweaty. Not sure that I could see myself involved with an esoteric, ritual based, secretive colony that feels it has to operate in sequestered isolation.

We haven't spoken that much since then. Oh, we wave, as they glide down the drive alongside. And sure enough: it doesn't seem to make any difference whether we're dressed or not.

Well, that's not quite true, on reflection: I feel their waves are actually warmer, when we aren't dressed. (Well, the smiles seemed broader.)

Anyway, as is its wont: curiosity waned.

Then, last night, I saw an item on the telly. The Masons were having an open night.

They were inviting all and sundry to their meetings - and there they were, disported all over the telly!

Well, I thought, those uniforms don't look that intimidating. The people seem quite a cheerful, middle-of-the-road lot. The visitors look interested. Why not go along and have a look for myself? I don't even have to wait for a fine day (or be female).

Right, I thought, next time I'll enquire further. Now the Masons can claim to be "As seen on TV", they have the street cred to deserve some of my re-kindled interest.

However, in lieu of being asked again; how can I make my own enquiries? They don't seem to be in the phone book. Never seen an ad for them in the local freebie rag. No evident 0800 number.

Oh well, I'm not really sure what they could do for me anyway - I mean, it's not as if there's a fine to pay.

We still wave with mutual cheer as they float past us, basking in the sun - so what's another couple of years, or decades, between enquiries.

by John Lowe

About eight years ago, I wrote a piece about a wonderful holiday at the Croatian naturist resort of Valalta.

Well, there's been a lot of water under the bridge since then and, for me, a couple of heart attacks and two triple heart-bypasses. This all happened within a year of my returning to Sydney to live after my retirement. Since recovering, I've kept up my friendship with the crazy Hungarians I met at Rovinj and although visiting them a couple of times in Budapest, I haven't found time to discover the Sydney naturist scene.

"Egeszegedre" conjures up for me long, pleasant evenings and not a few breakfasts, soaking up gallons of excellent Yugoslavian wine. Those of you who read my story all those years ago may remember that Egeszegedre is the Hungarian word for "Cheers", "Mud in your eye", "Prost", and all those words and phrases we use when raising our glass in a toast to friendship or whatever.

Last year, 1996, I decided to make my come-back to naturism and in June I set off to India, then England, Finland, Estonia, Austria and Germany.

After swanning around Neuschwanstein I eventually caught one of those magnificent continental inter city trains direct to Budapest.

My friends live on the outskirts of Budapest in the mediaeval township of Szentendre. It is situated on a bend in the river Danube and its many attractions include glorious churches, ancient buildings and magnificent restaurants.

Having heard of a burgeoning naturist movement there and in particular at Siksosfurdo, we had planned to spend a few days in Szeged, in the south of the country,

With their little Lada laden to the gunwales with all the camping gear for four people, we set off soon after eight in the morning, with the temperature already in the mid-thirties, giving a foretaste of things to come!

Our first objective even before erecting the tent was to find a drink, and here we struck gold! There is a small shop which served large plastic containers holding about a half-litre of wonderful cold beer.

And boy, did we need the beer; the temperature for the duration of our stay remained in the high thirties, and for the first time in my twenty-odd years of naturism I got sunburned!

We very quickly made friends with our next-door neighbours, the Pozsar family. This robab1y would not have happened had I not been with a Hungarian family, as my experience is that the Hungarians are among the world's friendliest people but the language barrier makes even the simplest communications difficult. However, Mum and Dad and the two girls readily agreed to let me photograph them and I believe our friendship with them probably made their first venture into naturism a happy one. We were also befriended by an English couple enjoying an extended and wide-ranging holiday. They played small accordions, which I thought just as well, as the bellows on the full-size version could do one a nasty mischief with no clothes to protect you!

The great majority of campers were Hungarians although there were a few Germans and Italians. Activities included volleyball, table tennis, wind surfing, dinghy rowing and watching endless games of soccer on the TV in the sheltered relaxation area near the buildings.

There is a small flying-field not far from the camp and the receptionist spent quite a while organising for me to hire a Cessna four-seater for a twenty minutes flip around the camp area. Three of my friends were able to come with me, and for the immense pleasure their first trip in a small plane gave them, the hire charge of 100 Deutschmarks was little enough.

We spent a day in Szeged, enjoying the sights and the shops with extremely cheap purchases and a memorable meal at a pavement restaurant. This cost me less than half what it would have done for a similar meal for four in Sydney.

Szeged was settled between four and five thousand years ago. In March, 1879, all but three hundred homes were washed away in a great flood and a number of foreign cities helped with the reconstruction.

Today the city boasts huge buildings and plazas of almost every type of architecture. In the summer vacation as we found it, it was a pleasant place with a number of cultural events one would expect to find in a university city.

All too soon it was time to pack up say goodbye to our new-found friends and begin the long ride back to the north. Still extremely hot, the journey was made marginally worse when, after dark, we got caught up with the traffic streaming back from Lake Balaton, the favourite summer weekend resort for people from all over the north-west of Hungary. The guest house, hotel and camping accommodation is huge and there is a well established naturist resort at the southern end of the lake. We reached Budapest after a nine hour drive.

The next day it was time for me to catch the train to Vienna, for a couple of pleasant days before flying to London and back to Australia. As a first, tentative venture back into a way of life I had enjoyed for twenty years before I became a member of the Zipper Club, it was a great success even though I stupidly forgot to take precautions in the baking sunshine and was badly sunburnt. Hungary has many beautiful places and lots of history and marvellous old buildings and I would commend a visit to anyone who has not been there. Apart from the friendliness of the people, Hungary is at the present time very cheap and the naturist way of life readily accepted, with more and more resorts opening every year.

I'm hoping to make a return visit to Rovinj again, in 1998.

All article photos: Derek Blew

Some lucky people even barbecue on other evenings!

We even go to the Club in the winter but people don't take their clothes off, except in the sauna: they come and play snooker or pool in what they call the ballroom, but they move the snooker table out when there is a party so that people can dance and enjoy themselves. There are lots of different social events and entertainments in the winter months so members can enjoy the Club all year round. My Grandad and Grandma play cards or scrabble with some of the other old members and usually sit out in the loggia where it is warm.

The Clubhouse is over 100 years old, which is even older than my Grandad! It has 10 bedrooms where members and visitors can stay and use one of the kitchens to make breakfast and other meals.

When you come to visit us, Mummy says you will be staying with us and we will go to the Club whenever you want but, if you have any friends who are naturists who belong to the naturist organisation in your country or are members of a recognised naturist club, and if they would like to visit and stay (it is very cheap, just £12.50 per person per night or £65 for a week and there are reduced prices for children) tell them to write to: The White House, P.O. Box 1026, Warlingham, CR6, 9FJ, Surrey, England.

The sun has just come out and Daddy says we can go to the Club for a swim now. I hope to see you here soon.

Lots of love

   Petrina

Photo: Doug Cousins

Australian and New Zealand families have responded to our request for photos depicting their enjoyment of nudism at secluded outdoor locations.

The exhilaration of going nude at the beach is captured by the Rastick family of Sara and David with their children Benjamin and Laura whilst holidaying on a north Waikato beach during their recent holiday.

Photo: Bill Shelley

To play unencumbered by clothing is one of the great joys of life in the outdoors. To write in the sand with driftwood or to relax with giant lollipops as the photos opposite show is a childhood memory to be treasured forever.

Outback Australia is ideally suited to family naturism also and the recent development of clothing optional naturist facilities throughout Australia has bought this relaxed lifestyle to the fore in every State.

River Island Nature Retreat is the idyllic setting for Daryl to enjoy the company of his son whilst his wife Sue on this occasion records the moment so that it may remain forever as a photographic record of their enjoyment of family naturism at their favourite leisure resort.

Alpine Lakes and The Orchard
Sun Club Inc.

I had never done "it" before. Every year I hear excited talk about others doing "it". How wonderful, exhilarating, sensuous it seemed. People go mad about it, like spring fever, only it is mid-winter. Well, I thought, I like exhilarating, sensuous excitement and I have sometimes thought I'm mad so I decided why not do "it" too.

Before driving out to Bill's organic farm at Taieri Mouth Beach, we loaded up the car boot with some firewood. Upon arrival we transferred the wood, paper and kindling into a large home-made wooden barrow and began the challenge of navigating the paddock and the narrow, slippery muddy track down to the beach. In a sheltered corner the "boy scouts" built up a fire while I trundled the barrow around the beach in search of some more combustible material. No mean feat that, and certainly no chance to feel cold. Soon the generated heat from within was enough to allow me to discard my cumbersome clothing.

I hadn't even done "it" yet and already I was feeling those exhilarating sensuous emotions; feeling selfish for enjoying so much great freedom when the hordes of people we expected weren't here to share it too. The rolling white surf was beckoning but I wanted to show some restraint. After all, one can't do "it" alone, surely, it must be shared with others to get the full benefit. In time more souls arrived and when the first one broke away and fled towards the great white ocean all restraint broke loose.

IT is . . . there are no words to describe "it" at first. All that I have heard over the years hardly gives justice to the experience I had of charging away from a fire, down the sandy beach and into the freezing waves of seawater and doing "it" au naturel.

That being a reward in itself, we were further rewarded on our return to the fire with offers of hot mulled wine, rum and raspberry and hot vege soup. Then, not being sure that my experience was really real, I just had to follow others in for a second time. Yes, I would recommend it to any nudist willing to give the old body a thorough shake up.

Textiles do it too you know. On my drive home I thought perhaps I'd do "it" again next weekend with the local textiles. Then I thought, nah, it just wouldn't be the same their way now, would it.

Maureen

Taranaki Naturist Club Inc

The biggest event that happened to the Taranaki Club in the last month was the granting of the Resource Consent for the Club to operate as a naturist club and hence be the Top Tourist attraction in Taranaki.

The Club has an established clubrooms, with landscaped gardens and a swimming pool. The facilities for camping were used extensively over the past summer with many people enjoying the grounds each weekend.

Recently .more landscaping has been done and a new barbecue area is soon to be developed.

The AGM was held on 27 July 1997, and the new committee looks forward to an exciting coming season.

Canterbury Sun Club Inc

The AGM is over, the new committee members have been appointed and now is the time for all committee members to think, "How am I going to do it?" and for all other members to think . . . well "How are they going to do it?"

With these words, our newly appointed newsletter Editor Rob Leenheer introduced a new look Pinecones complete with photo call for the new committee, a feature item on arguments and observations in support of nudism, special 60th birthday wishes for Mrs Miniten, Beryl Wilkinson, a new look social calendar, crossword puzzle and even a contribution from a well known European nudist correspondent Dr Roman Hans from Germany addressed to Mein Frenden fon te Kenterbury Sun Klup sharing his personal experiences with us from a journey through the South East Pacific.

Mid-winter and no less than 14 (fool)-hardy souls were awarded Certificates of Achievement for the Polar Bare Plunge, some more than once and others taking painstakingly forever. A friendly invitation to a couple of the local breakfast radio hosts who had been pictured in the buff on the backs of buses and in television adverts gave us a bit of fun air-time as well. Regrettably they were unable to accept our invitation.

The previous evening, many of us enjoyed the festive atmosphere at the mid-winter dinner held in the clubhouse. A leisurely soak in the spa-sauna followed by hot pumpkin soup especially prepared by our gourmet chef Richard was just the ticket to round off a really happy weekend.

Up and coming events at Pineglades programmed by our enthusiastic social conveners Phil and Sue include the annual Brass Monkey Affair, this time a 60's and 70's theme complete with Juke Box. Scones and Scandal, Pizzas and Speeches, Hot Dogs and Humour, Pancakes and Prattle and even a Bavarian Night just to name a few, are some of the fun social times ahead at Pineglades. Why don't you join us?

Kay Hannam

Rotota Sun Club Inc

It is 20 years since the first visit by nudists to what is now Rotota Sun Club. These were the organisers of a trust, set up to purchase land in the thermal area to create a nudist resort with all facilities. Originally called Geyserland Leisure Park, part was leased to Rotorua Sun Club - later renamed Rotota (Rotorua, Tokoroa, Taupo).

Financial difficulties saw the land in danger of being sold, and lost to nudists. Rotota took on debts to save it and later purchased the balance of the property from GLP Trust in a generous purchase agreement.

Rotota, and nudists everywhere, own a debt of gratitude to those who made the first trip in by boat 20 years ago and to those who put money into Geyserland Leisure Park Trust and bought the land initially.

Even in the middle of winter it is a great place to be!

Our Club is organising the National Campout, 29 December 97 to 2 January 98 and we look forward to hosting as many naturists as possible from within New Zealand and overseas.

Enquiries to Club Secretaries or to P.O. Box 5171, Westend, Rotorua West, New Zealand.

NUDVAN Club Inc

Who are they? Never heard of them. So let's sort it out. The Nudvan movement is not a new idea. The movement is very strong in the United Kingdom and have been very supportive and helpful with the formation of the NZ Club. Some Senior Executive Members of the NZ Federation have been very helpful also. We are bound by the NZ Federation Rules regarding membership and new members are vetted and accepted by committee in the normal way.

Generally this is not a problem as many are members of clubs already and a lot have been in the past, but because of their situation have left the club scene, but still wish to keep in contact with the movement. A number of members have joined as a result of being Nudist Club Members and also Motor Caravan Association Members and enjoy the best of both organisations.

We recently held our AGM at Kevin and Joan Sampsons. They have developed a five star camping ground named Katikati Naturist Park and are very gracious hosts. They have developed this complex for nudists and deserve everyone's support. We wish them every success.

So what are the benefits of joining the Nudvan Club you may say. As the name implies we are nudists who like to travel. We enjoy the freedom of travel and meeting up with old friends in clubs throughout the country. We are not tied to visiting the same place time after time. The Nudvan Club is fully affiliated to the national movement so it is kept informed on national matters.

You do not have to own a motor-home, tenting is also accepted along with caravans. It is envisaged that as numbers grow activities can be organised on a regional basis, in the meantime the committee will adopt a steady as she goes policy.

We have fielded many enquiries from prospective members who wish to join a club and where it is appropriate have been referred to a club in their area. Hopefully we will no be bogged down with a lot of rules and regulations but rather enjoy each others company from time to time and continue our lifestyle. I do hope this article may help you understand something of the Nudvan Club and what we are about.

Enquiries: P.O. Box 10053, Mt Maunganui, New Zealand.

Neil Stammers

Auckland Sun Club Inc

Special Auckland Sun Club greetings go out to fellow NZ Naturist readers everywhere! Isn't it great that we're now well on the right side of the shortest day? Summer's on its way.

Visitors are very welcome to enjoy our regular spa and sauna evenings. Every Sunday, 1600hrs till 1900hrs. Just $3.00 per person for that relaxing shower, sweat, soak and socialise session. These have proven very popular for members and visitors alike. See you there.

We are also able to cater to visitors who wish to stop over a while but do not have their own caravan/tent etc. A comfortable powered camper sleeping 2 or 3 is available for $20 per night (includes camping fee of $6 per adult). Guests need to provide own bedding, towels, food. Enjoy the full cooking, ablutions and laundry facilities in the clubrooms.

To reserve, simply contact Malc and Sheila. Come spend some time with us!

Word has been received from our Belgian friends, Marianne and Ivan of Antwerp (pictured, back cover issue 160) who toured New Zealand late last year and stayed on to enjoy the Rally. Also from Adi and Torit Niv of Jerusalem, prime movers in setting up a naturist organisation in Israel. Both couples asked us to pass on best naturist regards to all the nudists they met here.

We now have a letterbox at our roadside entrance - you can (snail)mail any camping, accommodation or spa/sauna session enquiries directly to our caretakers Malc and Sheila at 755A West Coast Rd, Oratia.

Like to email us? Club PRO, Peter Moosberger, is now on the net. How about all you other cyberspace capable naturists out there send Peter an "E" with a view to creating a local naturist email directory? This could lend itself nicely to an exciting new era of improved inter-club and club Federation dialogue. Let's know what you think. Some scanned naturist pix to exchange? Attach one or two to your email if you wish!

moosberg@sinesurf.co.nz

HELP! - The Tasman Shield's
gone walkabout!

The Federation is trying to locate the Tasman Shield. It's a joint ANF-NZNF trophy awarded for Australia versus New Zealand competition. The NZNF has made several enquiries with our counterparts in Australia. We are aware that it was won by Kiwis at four-aside banquet during the ANF Convention '96 (Sunshine Families Nudist Club, Old Dec 1995/Jan 1996) but possibly the trophy was not present at the Convention to be awarded. The ANF believes that a couple from New Zealand took the shield home with them from the Roscoe Club, Newcastle Convention (Dec 1993/Jan 1994). That seems to be the last time anyone's seen it in Australia.

If anyone has any information that might help locate this trophy, it would be appreciated if they could contact the Federation Secretary or Editor of NZ Naturist.

Photo: Les Olsen

Dear Editor,

I have been following nudism for two years and have just joined the Supporters Club and would like to get a copy of these back issues of NZ Naturist. No 97, 98 99, 100, 101, 102, 103, 107, 108, 110, 111, 119, 160.

I am also after issues No 1 to 95 if possible. If anyone can help, my address is S. Wilkes, 727 Main South Rd, Templeton, Christchurch.

Interested Reader

S. Wilkes

Dear Editor,

I have just spent the most relaxing holiday in years at Opoutere. I can tell you that after holidaying for years at Cap d'Agde while I lived in England that New Zealand really is a paradise for naturists. Opoutere is just about the most beautiful beach I have visited in New Zealand. I was so taken by its beauty that I wrote this poem.

What a Place

What a wonderful place this is

A spot that the sun has kissed

With its clear deep blue sea

The beach here is clean and free.

A place to sit back and relax

Forget about that urgent fax

To while away an afternoon

Sunning on a sandy dune.

They call this place Opoutere

And I am very happy here

What a wonderful place this is

A paradise for Naturists.

Yours naturally

M. Chivers

Dear Editor,

I enjoyed reading Doug Ball's article on Nude Cruising (Issue No 160) and the surprised locals. It reminded me of an incident last year in France. With a group of friends we were caravanning at La Haute Garduere, in Provence. This quiet site is remotely located in a forest, the grounds attached to the site are extensive and area ideal for naturist walks.

One afternoon we were walking .uphill along a rough rocky track when we were confronted by two late teenage boys on mountain bikes descending at high speed. Despite us jumping to one side, the boys with wide opened mouths and staring eyes, fell off the bikes in front of us.

The shock of being confronted by six middle aged naked people clad only in walking boots had been too much for them. My wife and her friends maternal instincts took over and they proceeded to help the boys to their feet and tend their grazed and bleeding knees and elbows. The boys took fright, grabbing their bikes and still with opened mouths and staring eyes ran off down the track.

Undoubtedly they will "dine Out" for the rest of their lives about their confrontation with a tribe of naked people and the women whose dimensions will grow greater each time they tell the story as each year goes by.

We found out afterwards that in typical French style the authorities had routed an official mountain bike track across the land owned by La Haute Garduere. The site owner shrugged her shoulders and said "In France it happens".

I am looking forward to visiting New Zealand - even if it is in the winter.

Yours sincerely

Roy Liddington

England

Dear Editor,

For some years I had a regular subscription to NZ Naturist and you were good enough to print one or two letters of mine in that period. For some reason I cannot quite fathom I let the subscription lapse at the end of 1993 although I did get news and views of the Southern Hemisphere via Australia Sun & Health.

However, on looking back through my old copies of NZ Naturist I am surprised how fresh and true they are to the pure spirit of naturism, and regret the loss of this point of contact with your country.

I have now taken up a fresh subscription and look forward to hearing of all the changes and advances that have occurred in recent times. One things for sure, my first issue of 97 will certainly take my mind off all the shenanigans and blustering associated with our General Election for a new British Parliament.

Best wishes for a scintillating 97.

Yours faithfully
    W (Billy) Budd - London

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. 162 September 1997

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:

Les Olsen Tel/Fax (09) 444 5015

Business Manager:

Laurel Olsen

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.

(Top)

AUSTRALIAN NUDIST CLUB DIRECTORY

All correspondence should be addressed to:

P.O. Box 101014,

NORTH SHORE MAIL CENTRE,

AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND

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

The Secretary NZNF: Peter Moosberger
P.O. Box 74-257, Market Rd PO,
Auckland 1005
Tel/Fax 09-520 0796
Email: mooseberg@sinesurf.co.nz

President: Kay Hannam
Tel/Fax 03-383 6023

North Island VP: Mike Kelley
Tel: 09-836 3610, Fax 09-836 3657

South Island VP: Christine Turner
Tel: 03-337 3464

Applications for membership of Clubs should be made direct to the Club Secretary (see Club Directory).

PHOTO CREDITS

Brian Williams P1

Paul Taylor P2, P3

Winston Reid P4, P5a

Les Olsen P6, P21

Graham Macgregor P7

Derek Blew P9, P10, P11

Doug Ball IFC, P12, P13

Doug Cousins P15b

Peter Moosberger P18

Robbert Broekstra FC, BC

Bill Shelley P16a, P17a

DEADLINES FOR COPY

163 December 1997 - 1 October 1997

164 March 1998 - 20 January 1998

165 June 1998 - 20 April 1998

166 September 1998 - 20 July 1998