Sunkissed - Australian Naturists

Ladies, why wear a bra?

2012-01-15T18:32:00.001+11:00

How can anything that leaves these types of marks every day be good for you?

There is an excellent website called http://www.007b.com/ and this site challenges women to review their relationship with their breasts with one of the articles on the site dealing extensively with the question of wearing bra's.

From the 007b site:

Over 90% of North American women wear a bra, many without ever asking why. This article talks about different reasons women give for wearing a bra. Interestingly, bra wearing is not a necessity for most women for their breasts' sake; it is worn for cultural reasons.

That's an interesting statement I thought that the bra was needed to support breasts?

According to the site:

This is largely a myth: "...wearing a bra... has no medical necessity whatsoever", says Susan M. Love, M.D in her "Dr. Susan Love's Breast Book". This is similar to the myth that women supposedly need corsets to support their stomach muscles.

Now, large-breasted women may need the support from bras. Jogging and other active sports may be painful even for medium-breasted ladies. This is, however, an individual thing, so do what is comfortable for you.

In one study, large-breasted women removed the weight of breasts from their shoulders for two weeks, either by going braless or by wearing a strapless bra. Only one woman chose a strapless bra and all the others went braless. The researchers monitored the women for muscle pain and tenderness. Seventy-nine percent of patients decided to remove breast weight from the shoulder permanently because it rendered them symptom free!
(Ryan, EL, Pectoral girdle myalgia in women: a 5-year study in a clinical setting. Clin J Pain. 2000 Dec;16(4):298-303.

So again we have been conditioned that clothing or certain items of clothing are a necessity when really it is just a societal construct!

This site does women in particular and the population in general a great service by presenting a large number of photographs that demonstrate, what Naturists have discovered by practicing our lifestyle, that there is a huge range of breast shapes and sizes and all are normal.

In our clothes compulsory society where the body is constantly hidden from view, except in the hands of advertisers and pornographers, people have lost the idea what is a normal body shape.

We, as a society, have allowed the the female body and body parts to be sexualised and objectified all primarily in the name of profit.

Ladies, it is time to reclaim your body!

The Naked Truth - Northern Star Article

2011-12-28T16:48:00.000+11:00

Photo from the article

"EVER wish you could be as uninhibited and carefree as a naked child, totally free of inhibition and self-consciousness?

We all start out that way, but somewhere along the line we learn to cover up; we learn that our naked adult bodies are to be hidden under clothes, seen only by a chosen few.

But there are some adults - many adults, actually - who refuse to conform to the idea that our bodies are to be clothed at all times.

These people spend a great deal of time totally naked and totally at ease with it."

So starts one of the best articles on the subject of Naturist/Nudists lifestyle and resorts that I have seen in a long while. It was published in The Northern Star servicing the northern part of New South Wales, and thanks to the magic of the Internet is available to anyone at the following web address: http://www.northernstar.com.au/story/2011/12/17/naked-truth/

The author interviews the owner of a Naturist Resort "west of the range" although she does not name it and for research had visited North Belongil Beach in Byron Bay and King's Beach in Broken Head nude beaches.

The article contains positive messages and a bit of history of the movement well worth the time to read the article in full.

My favourite quote from the article is:
"For us it's not about taking our clothes off, it's about not having to put clothes on," says Carol."

Why is nudity so attractive to those that have experienced it?

2011-12-26T23:19:00.003+11:00

I must say that I find that the more time I spend naked the more I want to.

As I am reinforcing my natural state, I guess that makes sense. It is good for the body and the mind so any wonder it is so attractive.

When the weather is inclement on the weekends I really miss the trip down to Cobblers beach where I can be naked and enjoy the outdoors without the concern that someone may see me and be offended.

We are fortunate that our front garden which is behind a high wall gives us a private sun trap and so allows us a little outdoor space to be clothes free.

Does this experience and feelings constitute a building dependence on clothes free times?

Certainly the number of regulars that I see down at the beach all year round would indicate a strong attraction to the experience. However there is also a sense of community amongst the regular beach goers and that also adds to the motivation.

I must say that even if I was the only person on the beach, and while I would miss the social experience, I would still enjoy just being clothes free in a natural setting.

So I believe that once someone has experienced nudity in a natural setting and especially social nudity and finds it enjoyable, it is certainly a something that one looks forward to repeating.

Are you a proud Naturist?

2011-11-05T20:53:00.001+11:00

We no longer hide the fact that we practice a Naturist lifestyle, we don't shout it from the roof tops, but when asked "What did you do on the weekend?" I will say, I went to the beach which is almost immediately followed by which beach? To which I reply Cobblers Beach! The response that I get will either be, where is that? or isn't that the.....nudist beach!!??

To which I reply its clothing option actually, not that we wear any.

Now since adopting this practice I have not had one bad reaction. Some people are surprised, some ask questions, but overall the reaction has been positive.

Now I don't tell people who could use that information in a negative way, common sense still applies, but it does not take much to learn we practice a clothes free lifestyle.

As an example we have a "Wandering Bares" sticker on the car.

We have this "Shame Breakers" sticker on the front window.

And finally on the front door we have...

We make sure that we don't answer the door naked, so that we are not blacklisted at the local pizza shop, but more so if someone comes to the door unannounced and happens to see us walking around or doing some house work naked, they cannot say they have not been warned.

But the point that I am trying to make is that the more people who are not ashamed of our naturist lifestyle the more mainstream it becomes and hopefully the more acceptance there will be.

We have also had this T-Shirt commissioned that I am happy to wear.
It says "Get Sunkissed All Over @ Cobblers Beach, Mosman.

Again the more people that use our clothing optional beaches the more chance we have of keeping them!

Hello Spring!

2011-10-25T22:42:00.001+11:00

Well Spring has arrived and with it a taste of Summer. It is far more comfortable being naked at home in the evenings and the sun drenched days, when not at work, allow the body to be draped in sunlight.

From my point of view the best thing about this time of year is the fact that the full force of the sun is not yet out, so while we still need to be careful of sunburn the likelihood of being burnt after the first 20 minutes is unlikely.

People may say that as Naturists we are encouraging risky behaviour by our predisposition to going naked outdoors and to clothing optional beaches.

This however is far from the case! In fact it is the very fact that we enjoy the outdoors so much ensures that we have a good quality sunscreen and seek shade in the hottest part of the day.

However unlike the greater part of the population we, as Naturists, are far less likely to be vitamin D deficient. Our society has been so conditioned by the advertising of the last decades that people believe that to show the slightest piece of skin to the sun is risking certain death.

There is, however, a body of scientific evidence regarding the positive effects of vitamin D actually increasing the bodies natural immune system to fight off the more common and deadly cancers that society face being bowel and breast cancer. (Check out the book The Vitamin D Solution by Dr Michael Holicks PhD MD)

Therefore we all should get 10 to 15 minutes of sunlight each day just as the skin first starts to go pink and then apply covering or a high quality sunscreen.

So fellow Naturists enjoy the coming Summer.

How to live an Ethical Naturist lifestyle in a textile world.

2011-10-03T17:42:00.000+11:00

This is s question that everyone who has discovered the freedom of the Naturist lifestyle faces.

We are, by necessity, forced to interact in a textile/clothing compulsive world and unfortunately very few jobs are clothing optional.

So leaving the haven of our homes we put on the uniform of the textile and put in the hours necessary to put food on the table and a roof over our heads whilst, hopefully, enjoying the work we do.

But even the "haven" of our own homes is problematic, especially living in or close to the city.

In our own case we have just moved house and while the new property is more private than the previous townhouse, there is still no opportunity to lay out in the sun or work in the backyard as nature intended.

Frustrated by this situation I decided to review what options I had to minimize what I had to wear to be "legal". I could of course wear budgie smugglers (swimming costume) or shorts but that was too confining.

I then did some research on the Internet about loincloths, that's right ala Tarzan, with a view of buying or making something up.

Finally I came up with my own primitive design consisting of a boot lace and 2 chamois that covered both the front and rear to avoid the risk of upsetting the neighbours. The beauty of the design was that they allowed the greatest amount of freedom while being practical.

The chamois were chosen due to the soft and serviceable nature of the material. Also there was the added bonus of utilizing the chamois for the car if they didn't work out.

They were obtained from an auto supply store and I decided to select natural over synthetic material.

All up they cost me $20 each for the large size (I am not bragging I just thought that the larger size would give me more options).

I am please to say that they worked out well and while a little self conscious at the beginning met the need to preserve the body freedom that I desired whilst not offending the neighbours.

So much of being a Naturist is a state of the mind. The freedom of our bodies is the outward sign of the freedom of our minds, the relinquishment of the tension and stress that builds during the day.

That is why after a day in the clothing compulsive world We have the sanctuary of our home where we can shed our garments and allow our bodies and mind to be free.

May we all live naturally ever after.

LABIAPLASTY

2011-09-25T00:21:00.003+10:00

http://hungrybeast.abc.net.au/stories/labiaplasty

Back in March I asked the question - What is it about genitals?

I commented at the time that I had read with shock the increasing number of women that were having plastic surgery to "shape" their labia as they feel self conscious about labia that are perceived as being overly large.

In a recent episode of the excellent ABC programme "Hungry Beast" they have taken a look at this very issue and have challenged the censorship board as being a contributing factor to the myth of what female genitals look like. By their classification system publishers of so called soft porn regularly touch up photographs to a "single crease" in order to meet the "unrestricted" category for magazine distribution.

With the lack of opportunity for people to see each other naked and therefore witness the great variation of our anatomy, both male and female, people may well see there own genitals as not "normal".

This program should be required viewing for young women and a salient warning of the damage that our society's body taboo has on the populous.

A beautiful day in the city.

2011-09-14T22:56:00.001+10:00

Today was a beautiful day in Sydney, so I went to Hyde Park at lunchtime to catch some sun. I had a report to read and to comment upon so I took that with me. As I sat down at the base of one of the statues to work I decided, as it was so warm, to remove my shirt.

It is legal for me to do so , unlike the other 50% of society as we still do not allow women to go top free in this state.

Well after removing my shirt and enjoying the sun on my body I started to notice that I was starting to notice a number of people walking across the park looking in my direction and I got a distinct impression from their facial features that they did not approve!

If only they knew that I was really wanting to remove the rest of my clothing!

This started me thinking are we really so prudish in this society, a society that previously defined itself by its beach culture. What has happened to the bronze Aussie?

Giving this some further thought perhaps it was just because I was in business attire although looking around there were plenty of people in the park in shorts and T shirts but I was the only one who had taken his shirt off?

One thing that this experience has reinforced is that women are still bound by 19th century restrictions and that the "Top Free" movement that operates in the States and elsewhere in the world should open a chapter here.

As in parts of Canada and the USA where women have won the right to go top free not every women will use that right, it but at least they have a choice.

This photo shows how stupid such discrimination really is....

Well that's my rant for today and yes if it is another beautiful day tomorrow I will be heading back to the park and removing my shirt if I so feel like it.

The ignorance of clothing.

2011-08-23T21:55:00.000+10:00

Three gentlemen from the west along with a translator went to visit an Indian Holy Man to seek guidance.

They had attended such sessions in previous years but on this occasion the Holy Man appeared clad only in a loincloth.

Seeing this the translator suggested that in deference to the Western visitors the Holy Man may like to put on a robe.

The Holy Man reportedly responded;

"The world is full of ignorance and you wish me to add another layer of it?"

As Naturists we have out practical experiences to confirm the truth in this statement. As once we have experienced social nudity we know that clothing is indeed a layer of ignorance!

The largest organ !

2011-08-21T00:11:00.000+10:00

The largest organ on the body is your skin and yet we cover most of it with clothing!

Would we limit ourselves to only using 90% of our eyesight or 90% of our hearing when we could use 100%?

Of course not. Yet that is what we do with our bodies. Anyone who has experienced the joy of walking naked across the countryside or along the beach will affirm the experience.

Our senses are turned outward and we engage fully with our environment by feeling the movement of air on our skin, the warmth of the sun and the texture of the grass or the sand underfoot.

Why would we deprive ourselves of these experiences when they are so readily available to us?

I read a comment from Cec Cinder PhD, the naturist writer, the other day where he talks of the hypocrisies of human society where we hold in high esteem the nudes of sculpture and painting enshrining them in museums and galleries and yet a naked body outside these places would be arrested.

Oh that we were so comfortable with our bodies that we used clothing only for protection.

2011-07-28T22:20:00.000+10:00

VITAMIN D deficiency is putting Australians at risk of developing diabetes, a landmark study has shown.

The largest study of its kind found people with higher levels of vitamin D in their blood were less likely to develop type 2 diabetes than those with lower levels. It could lead to at-risk patients using vitamin D supplements along with diet and exercise to stop their development of the potentially deadly condition.

The study's co-author Ken Sikaris, a pathologist at Melbourne Pathology, said the research could have a big impact in slowing increasing rates of diabetes in Australia. "It's hard to underestimate how important this might be," he said.
Between a third and a fifth of the Australian population could be vitamin D deficient and rates were highest in the southern states, which received less sunlight, Dr Sikaris said.

The study, published in the journal Diabetes Care and presented by Dr Lu at a conference of the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists, retested blood samples taken as part of the major AusDiab study of risk factors for diabetes.

It found vitamin D deficiency was an independent risk factor, even after adjusting for others, such as weight and physical activity.

Read more: HERE @ SMH Online

Anyone who has experienced the joy of the feel of the sun all over their body will tell you the inherent benefits, both mental and physical of the experience. Of course Naturists are also mindful to avoid sunburn by applying good quality sun screen.

The "Slip, Slop, Slap" campaign run by government is again a case of a message of caution being taken to a message of fear, in this case the fear of melanoma. If one does some research you will find that some melanoma occur where the skin is not exposed to the sun.

Also in the book "The Vitamin D Solution" Dr Michael Holick states that the action of Vitamin D can actually help prevent internal cancers and even skin cancers with a healthy immune system and that sensible exposure to natural sunlight the benefits of increased levels of vitamin D are many.

Uniforms

2011-07-09T17:30:00.001+10:00

We as humans seem to love uniforms!

They have the effect of bonding people together, to make us feel included, unified, part of something larger than ourselves. Whether it is for a sporting team, a corporate office or a specific profession.

If we expand the view of uniforms we can include fashion because it does the same. If you are not wearing the "in" brand of running shoe then your not part of the "in" crowd.

I believe that Naturists also experience this sense of unity and inclusion when we all remove the shackles of our clothes and we see the similarities rather than differences in people.

Of course the Naturist "uniform" is accessible to everyone, it is our body that defines us uniquely as individuals and yet at the same time it shares the unmistakable hallmarks of being human.

As the senses are limited by the encumbrance of clothing, so being freed from them allows our senses to relate more fully to the natural environment, as we were intended to, and thus we feel closer to it also.

That is why the Naturist philosophy resonates so much with us as it uses this fact to reinforce the Naturist creed of respect for self, respect for other and respect for the environment.

Australian Naturist Survey

2011-07-05T23:23:00.002+10:00

How many Naturists / Nudists are in Australia?

No, I don't know either nor does anyone else, hence the need to have a survey.

Stand up and be counted!

This survey is the first attempt in many years to show how many people enjoy our lifestyle. So please support this survey today.

Go to Survey

Winter Sunshine

2011-06-18T19:49:00.000+10:00

After two weeks of rain and cold it was great to get out and enjoy the beauty and the warmth of the sun at Cobblers Beach today.

Yes, you had to keep out of the light breeze but the sun had sufficient warmth to make for a beautiful day reading and relaxing propped up against the warm rocks and viewing the sailboats out on the harbour. Unlike some hardy souls I decided not to take a dip!

Only about a dozen others were there to enjoy the mid-morning to early afternoon sun as the day only reached a top of 17 degrees, but that was more than enough for this sun deprived Naturist.

What could be more natural?

2011-06-18T17:49:00.002+10:00

As reported at News.com.au (click here for story) Diver Natalia Avseenko agreed to participate in an experiment designed by Russian scientists who believe that in order to engage with belugas she should swim without clothes as the belugas dislike artificial materials such as clothing and diving suits.

Being Naturists we already know if you want to engage more fully with nature remove your clothes!

A fun way of showing your support of Naturism

2011-06-12T12:06:00.003+10:00

From the online Naturist Shop (The Bare Boutique) run by The Bare Oaks Naturist Park in Canada the No Shirt, No Shoes, No Pants – No Problem! sign.

A variation on the classic sign. The same sign that is outside the office door of Bare Oaks Family Naturist Park.

The sign includes the "Bare Oaks Family" illustration by Australian Stephen Crowley who is the artist behind The Bare Pit, Loxie and Zoot and The Koala Bares. You can hear an interview with Stephen Crowley on the Naturist Living Show.

The sign is 10 inches by 10 inches on coroplast.

Cost: Canadian $19.99 + P and H

Click here to go to The Bare Boutique

I am a great admirer of Stephane Deschenes and the work he does, not only by representing Naturist values but also for the fact that he has shown a successful business model for the establishment and running of a Naturist facility. Therefore we are happy to support him by making his business more widely known.

Also we have purchased Naturist books from The Bare Boutique and can recommend the service especially with the Australian Dollar so strong!

A visit to North Swanbourne Beach WA

2011-06-09T19:32:00.001+10:00

North Swanbourne Beach Western Australia

One day laying naked in the sun on our favorite clothing optional beach looking out on beautiful Sydney harbour and the next laying naked on the sand enjoying the sun and looking at the Indian ocean on the other side of Australia.

I had the opportunity to visit this Western Australian Naturist Icon on a beautiful June day with a slight south easterly breeze. Knowing I was traveling to Perth I did my research on the FBA WA website and found that North Swanbourne beach was a legal clothing optional beach within 30 minutes of the CBD.

From the FBA WA website

Having access to a car and thanks to the trusty GPS I had no trouble finding the beach which is on the edge of a residential development and has carparking and a cafe that overlooks the beach and the ocean. I could not help but compare your average east coast clothing optional beach stuck in the remote corner of a national park down some steep access track.

The clothing optional section starts about 300m north from the surf lifesaving club and is clearly marked by this sign.

From the FBA WA website

It then extends north for, I believe. about 3 kilometers in front of a military firing range. Note this part is closed when the firing range is being used.

As usual I had my Naturist uniform with me and so could take full advantage of this beautiful day. Walking along the shoreline I reached the designated area, took a few more steps and then my T-shirt and shorts came off and I joined the 2 dozen or more local naturist who were also enjoying the sun.

One group obviously regulars had placed their windbreaks, I gather these are a prerequisite for this beach, to form a large compound and were having great fun enjoying not only the sun but also the company of like minded people.

As I took in the surrounds I wondered how this group of people were happy to sit in the sun naked and yet a few hundred yards away people were playing on the same beach rugged up in clothing?

Have we been misinformed, are there some instances where you are actually warmer naked? I have observed the same thing in Sydney a beautiful Winter day that sees us head for the beach and people rugged up with scarves and coats. Have they got the calendar mixed up with the weather forecast?

Some clouds did appear after an hour or so and took the edge off the day but the patches of blue sky that followed kept the temperature up.

With what looked like increasing cloud cover on the horizon I decided to bring my visit to an end and walked to the end of the clothing optional zone and reluctantly dressed.

I will never understand some people. As I am walking back along the beach about 30 m from the start of the clothing optional sign I saw a group of naked people (they were not naturists by my definition) 3 men and a woman, in a slight depression near the start of the sand dunes. One man appeared to be massaging the woman while another looked on.

It only talks a small proportion of the population to bring social nudity into disrepute. Why when there is 3 Klms of clothing optional beach were they naked contrary to the signs.

Here we have the closest situation that I have experienced of the European beaches that are tolerant of nudity and these "people" are putting it at risk.

I suspect that they have been warned off by the local naturists for I can see no other reason why they would not take their activities at least further up the beach into the clothing optional area. Then again they may get some perverse thrill by acting as they do.

As I walked further along the beach back to the car the sun again appeared almost like a final farewell as I prepared to do a couple of hours work in preparation for the following day.

Nude Gaming Party

2011-05-31T10:17:00.002+10:00

Yes this is another of those viral videos to get peoples attention and pass the word on about a new product or company. Yes it is exploiting nudism with its use of nudity to create an interest in the mind of the uninformed general public but.... in this case I'm not sure that this is a bad thing!

We read all the time in Naturist blogs and magazines of a concern about not attracting the "younger generation" well the producer of this clip apparently went to a Young Naturists and Nudist gathering and with some extra actors and friends shot this video. You can read an article about it on cnet here.

Who knows this video may introduce a whole new group to the joys of social Naturism. Just look and at the spread of "planking" in recent times.

Naturist Graphic

2011-05-29T16:46:00.003+10:00

Those that have been reading this blog before may notice the addition of a Naturist graphic on the right hand column.

I designed this when I was working on an entry for a design competition 12 months ago for the ANF as they were looking to change their logo. While I did submit a version of this graphic with a different message I felt that it was somewhat forced and I was not surprised that it was not selected.

But the original graphic as above I did feel captured our experience of the Naturist lifestyle, the feeling of freedom, the joy and the interaction with the environment.

So I made a "DIY" car sticker and thought that I would also display it on this blog and would be happy for others to display it, if they so desired.*

I would welcome any comments or feedback.

* A link back to this bolg would be nice.

The Ethical Naturist

2011-05-11T23:31:00.000+10:00

Stephane Deschenes from the Naturist Living Show in a recent podcast coined the term "Ethical Naturist". He draws a contrast between the "ethical" and the "recreational" Naturist as those that take the naturist values outside of the free beach or club and applies them to the everyday world is the ethical Naturist. The recreational Naturist just enjoys the experience of being naked in their chosen location and don't think too much about the philosophy.

You can still be an Naturist and be clothed - hey I'm naked under these clothes aren't I?

Back in my posting in October 2010 I proposed that there were 3 types of people that enjoy the clothes free experience the Nudist the Skinny Dipper and the Naturist.

From the descriptions that Stephane gives he has simplified this down to his 2 types, and uses the term Nudist and Naturist interchangeably as is increasingly common practice, especially in Australia.

In fact the ANF has recently changed it's name from the Australian Nudist Federation to the Australian Naturist Federation.

So we now have a new term in our Naturist lexicon. It's main function I believe will be to provide food for thought amongst those Naturists that are already "ethical Naturists" by action and attitude because the rest are happy just to continue to enjoy their clothing free time, and there is nothing wrong with that!

Sex on the beach

2011-04-09T18:04:00.000+10:00

These thoughts have arisen after reading and watching a post on The Diary of a naked wombat blog and then seeing the following NZ article that said:

"Residents between Te Hapua Rd and Peka Peka beaches have complained about increased "aggressive" nudity pushing locals off their beach.

The beach has been known as a gay meeting place for many years, with locals describing nude men "popping up like meerkats" in the sand dunes.

Residents say naturists, exhibitionists and voyeurs have added to the mix, resulting in couples copulating in public view, and other exhibitionist behaviour."See full article here.

I think that any sexualising of clothing optional beaches is a concern because it plays into the hands of those members of the public that are gymnophobic and want to see the few clothing optional beaches that we have, closed. They equate nudity with sex and therefore where there is nudity, in their minds, there are rampant sexual orgies.

What do I mean by sexualising? This is where any overt sexual activities take place on or near a designated clothing optional beach.

This whole perception is not helped by the fact that if you "google" Nudism or Naturism you pick up a lot of porn sites.

I remember reading in one of our Australian Naturist magazines an article about a naturist sailing through our beautiful barrier reef. He asked a young lady to join him as crew and she was happy to do so.

Then he added that he was a naturist and asked would that be a problem. She went away and did some research on the Internet and declined his offer because the majority of the sites she looked at were pornographic.

Therefore we must do what we can to decouple the idea of Naturism and sex.

Social Nudism in the past was primarily conducted at clubs that lay down a set of agreed rules that included appropriate behaviour and set clear boundaries of what was and was not acceptable.

When clothing optional beaches were legislated these same rules of behaviour, although largely unwritten, were adopted.

The Free Beach Association does have on its website:

. . . FREE BEACH ETIQUETTE . . .

The Naturist/Nudist community is a fantastic caring group of people from a diverse range of back grounds who are aware of the fragile balance and scrutiny their textile free family lifestyle attracts. This common sense approach to ‘free beach etiquette’ has been developed to ensure the growth, the safety and to facilitate a balanced acceptance of the textile free family lifestyle within mainstream society.

Stay out of dunes and re-vegetation areas
Obey regulations - National Park, life-saving, fire, fishing and parking
Don’t wander from established nude areas – this may risk the areas closure
No overt sexual activity - be nude not lewd – this just undermines our objectives
Don’t litter – carry out more than you brought in
Respect the property of others – ‘if your bum is bare cover the chair’
No unauthorized photography of others, especially children
Respect the privacy of others – allow others to have space – don’t stare
Come prepared & be sun smart – bring water, food, towels, sunscreens etc
Speak up for standards – carry copies of Free Beach Etiquette – report criminal activity to police

This guide should be on all clothing optional beaches right next to the "Nudity Permitted" official signs to ensure that all visitors to the beach know what behaviour is expected and what will not be tolerated by the other beach users.

I am not deluded enough to think that such a sign will be taken notice of, but a least it takes away the excuse that they did not know that what they were doing was in appropriate.

What is it about genitals?

2011-03-05T07:13:00.002+11:00

What is it that sets society ablaze about the sight or even talk of genitals?

I started to contemplate this question after reading an article in the Woman's Weekly Oct 2010, about Bettina Arndt the Australian sex therapist and writer.

In this interview Bettina talks openly about what she sees as the magnificence of the penis.

"I've always thought it's the most wondrous thing. The more you learn about the penis, the more you think it is extraordinary. It's this intricate mechanism. And I thought it was the most beautiful thing"

Although celebrated as part of the body beautiful in fine art, society still has this attitude that genitals should not be spoken of let alone seen?

We have read in the popular press of the claim the sight of genitals will scar children psychologically and therefore they must be protected from such a sight.

[A point of clarification here, I am of course not taking about masturbation in public or any overt sexually aroused state being displayed in an exhibitionist way.]

If this were true then like the Puritans we should not allow our children to take a bath naked nor look at their own naked form in the mirror!

There is so much concern nowadays over the issue of body acceptance and yet we perpetuate the myth that parts of our body are "nasty or dirty"!

Without reference to what other bodies look like, concerns are raised about the normality and adequacy of our own genitalia.

In my generation the change-room /showers for sport or gym was a reference point to see (indirectly of course) the variations in the size and shape of penises.

Nowadays I am informed that even this communal nudity is disappearing with individual changing stalls or overt modesty.

So is it any wonder that adolescent boys grow up with concerns about the size/adequacy of their penis when their only reference are the male actors on Internet porn sites!

Hardly a representative sample of the diversity that is the norm.

Likewise I read with shock the increasing number of women that are having plastic surgery to "shape" their labia as they feel self conscious about labia that are perceived as being overly large.

Given the large number of female Naturists that depilate their pubic hair it is quickly realised that some women have large labia majora, others not so, some have larger labia minora, others less so.

Therefore again the "normal" range is expansive.

One of the many things that social nudity has to offer society is the practice of total body acceptance, not only of others but of oneself.

From The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran

2011-02-07T23:22:00.001+11:00

On Clothes:

And the weaver said, "Speak to us of Clothes."
And he answered:
Your clothes conceal much of your beauty, yet they hide not the unbeautiful.
And though you seek in garments the freedom of privacy you may find in them a harness and a chain.
Would that you could meet the sun and the wind with more of your skin and less of your raiment,
For the breath of life is in the sunlight and the hand of life is in the wind.
Some of you say, "It is the north wind who has woven the clothes to wear."
But shame was his loom, and the softening of the sinews was his thread.
And when his work was done he laughed in the forest.
Forget not that modesty is for a shield against the eye of the unclean.
And when the unclean shall be no more, what were modesty but a fetter and a fouling of the mind?
And forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet and the winds long to play with your hair.

Australia Day Uncovered

2011-01-28T19:49:00.001+11:00

Image from http://mapsof.net

There is no better way to spend Australia Day (26 Jan), our National Holiday, than to share it with like-minded friends, on a picturesque beach over looking a beautiful part of Sydney Harbour, with a BBQ cooked sausage sandwich resplendent with a good portion of tomato sauce and washed down with the beverage of your choice.

All this and we were undressed for the occasion, just as nature intended!

Cobblers beach was fantastic, the water was clear and refreshing and we were treated to an unusual view when we arrived, just before 11am of a rare sea fog shrouding the harbour that gave a diffused filter to what was a very warm day. As the fog shifted and returned it revealed numerous brightly coloured boats out on the harbour nearly all flying our flag and with other patriotic paraphernalia. We even saw an inflatable boxing kangaroo on the bow of one boat.

The regular boats that moor off Cobblers and enjoy some clothes-free time were there, of course, and their occupants joined us on the beach for lunch.

At a rough count there were about 350 people on the beach and the adjoining grassed area, which is pretty much a full house. What was so great about this sight, once we had secured a spot on the beach, was that a lot of the people we did not recognise as regulars. There were quite a few families with young children all enjoying the day and as always the general feeling was laid back, accepting and friendly.

We hope that we see those that visited for the first time back as I am sure that they had a most enjoyable day.

It would have been great to take a photograph of the beach filled with people having such a great time and to send it to the detractors who like to describe clothes-optional beaches in negative, anti-family terms to a gullible public.

''In our zeal to protect children we are erasing them entirely,''

2011-01-09T20:09:00.002+11:00

I read the following article with some incredulity during the past week.

Is this where we are as a society?

I was speaking today with a friend on the beach and we discussed the apparent rise of the super conservative attitudes of the current generations and how that contrasts with those of the 60's, 70's and 80's. These earlier generations were far more open minded and liberated especially in the attitudes to the human body than current generations appear today.

Have a read of this article and see what you think.

The picture that was considered inappropriate. Photo: Del Kathryn Barton

Hospital charity rejects exhibition over boy photo Nick O'Malley

from the

Sydney Morning Herald January 5, 2011

A CHARITY exhibition of works by some of Australia's leading artists has been cancelled after officials at a major hospital rejected one of the works - a photograph featuring a child without a shirt on.
Echoing the 2008 furore over Bill Henson's depictions of children, officials of the Sydney Children's Hospital Foundation took exception to the image by Archibald prize winner Del Kathryn Barton of her six-year-old son, Kell.

Exhibition organiser Virginia Wilson said her board and the hospital foundation had decided to part company a month ago, leaving her to find a new charity to support. She insisted the decision was made mutually and amicably.

Another organiser, Patrick Joyce, an alternate director of Fairfax Media, owner of The Age, said he did not anticipate the concerns when he began work on the project, but defended the hospital foundation.

When the works started arriving it became clear they may not comply with the hospital's strict rules on images of children, he said. After discussion it was decided to find another charity ''to preserve the artistic integrity of the exhibition''.

Mr Joyce said it was difficult to estimate how much the exhibition, Out of the Comfort Zone, would raise, as the artists had been commissioned to work outside their normal media - painters had sculpted or taken photos, sculptors had painted. But given the calibre of the artists, he expected around $200,000 could be raised. ''It is an amazing line-up.''

Tamara Winikoff, of the National Association for the Visual Arts, said the decision was ''absurd and tragic.''

She said that after the Henson scandal, when photographs of naked children prompted media outrage and a police investigation, public authorities were scared to associate themselves with any images of children. ''In our zeal to protect children we are erasing them entirely,'' she said.

Ms Winikoff said nudity was being conflated with pornography, even though representations of nudity had been part of our artistic tradition throughout history.

The Henson scandal came after a series of similar incidents over the previous two decades in the United States, where groups - often Christian - attacked artworks, prompting failed police actions.

An early Henson exhibition was targeted in Denver shortly after a Robert Mapplethorpe retrospective was closed. A decade later groups were still calling for bookshops to dump books of these artists' works.

The Sydney exhibition will go ahead in March, with proceeds to be donated to another charity, Midnight Basketball, which runs workshops and tournaments for at-risk youth.

One of the prominent painters whose work will be included, Ben Quilty, said he had been notified about the change of charities, and was happy to stick with the project.

Other artists whose work will appear in the exhibition, include Michael Zavros, Nell, Lionel Bawden, Emily Floyd, Sarah Smuts Kennedy, Sam Leach, Tim Maguire and McLean Edwards.

Del Kathryn Barton won the Archibald prize in 2008 with You Are What Is Most Beautiful About Me, A Self Portrait With Kell And Arella, her son and daughter.
Food for thought!

Training Bras & Candy Cigarettes

2011-01-08T02:06:00.000+11:00

I have just witnessed a family waiting at the station for a train and their young daughter of about 7 years old was wearing a training bra with straps showing, as is the fashion.

What conditioning was I witnessing, I am sure at this stage that her chest has no need of support.

Was her desire to wear this article an attempt to claim a badge of womanhood, was she being manipulated by teen fashion or was it peer-group pressure?

As a father of 2, now adult, daughters I do recall the transition from little girl to young woman, but that was at puberty.

The manufacturers of brassieres must be clapping their hands in joy as the young embrace their product before they can make an informed decision as to its need.

Isn't this the same reason that candy cigarettes were banned! (NSW 1999)

There is a body of evidence that suggests that the wearing of a bra is a contributing factor to the development of breast cancer. Any thing that leaves the type of red marks on the skin after a days use cannot be good for circulation, especially around the lymph glands under the arms.

Simply, it would appear to this observer, that body freedom is being taken away from our children as we bow to this social conditioning that is encouraged by our clothing compulsive society.

It all makes as much sense as a bikini top on a 2 year old.

Oh, that's right..... that conditioning happens as well!

A Piece of History

2011-01-03T18:59:00.002+11:00

As reported elsewhere in this blog I have an interest in the history of the Nudist/Naturist movement particularly in Australia. So I was delighted to discover this report of the first annual convention of the Australasian Sunbathing Association in the US Sunshine and Health July 1941 issue.

Here is a excerpt from a copy of Sunshine & Health July 1941 magazine the whole of the magazine was originally posted at Diary of a Nudist - S&H 1941.

Click article to enlarge

Happy Nude Year 2011

2010-12-29T12:34:00.001+11:00

Best wishes for 2011

Nakation 2010 - Le Chateau Naturiste B&B

2010-12-18T18:19:00.001+11:00

We headed to Le Chateau for the last few days of our 2010 Nakation.

Le Château is our favourite Naturist B&B just 2 and 1/2 hours from Sydney.

It is like a mini resort with pool, tennis court, spa, sauna and gym. Of course there is also a sports bar with billiard table to enjoy the time honored tradition of "happy hour".

Overlooking Nelson Bay it houses a maximum of 4 couples in themed bedrooms one with an ensuite the others share a bathroom.

Our hosts Twiggy and Jim were as usual very welcoming and we met up with 3 other couples staying there who once again were delightful company reinforcing the diversity of people that have found the joys of clothes free living.

The reality of the end of this break away is now upon us and on reflection we have been fortunate that, although the weather has been patchy, the vast majority of our time has been spent clothes-free in some unique and very beautiful places.

I must say the prospect of being back in the air-conditioned office with suit and tie Is not appealing.

We trust that the reviews and information that we have provided will help when you plan your next Nakation.

Nakation 2010 - Amazing Wollumbin Palms Retreat

2010-12-12T19:58:00.004+11:00

Our next stop was Amazing Wollumbin Plams Retreat, booked as a surprise for my wife, nestled in the shadow of Mt Warning or Wollumbin its Aboriginal name. Another "Naturist friendly" resort.

We arrived and were shown the "Water Lodge" one of 3 lodges available on the property. This lodge has as its feature ceilings and timbers taken from the prayer rooms of a Royal building in Java and are reportedly 300 years old.

Surrounded by a verandah on 3 sides there is a kitchen/loungeroom with these vaulted ornamental ceilings, a breezeway which backs on to the rainforest and has a spa bath, BBQ and large table and chairs, then finally a bedroom again with the ornamental ceilings anf a king size bed suspended by chains from the ceiling.

Thankfully it is also tethered underneath so that it does not end up swinging too wildly when occupied ;-)

The bathroom had a shower recess that is full height glass on 2 sides that overlooks the forest and the creek that feeds a large dam that is in front of the lodge.

Our first night was not a good one as who would have known that my wife had an allergy to 300 year old teak!

Fortunately our hosts Cassey and Phil when told if the issue were able to make some changes and we moved for the following 3 nights to a lodge that was not made of timber but cut into the side of a hill that they call Earth.

This was a most unique experience and in many ways better than Water and it suited our Naturist lifestyle better by being even more private.

If you think of the Flintstone's house crossed with a 5 star lodge and you will start go get the picture.

From the bed you look out on to a delightful patio and lawn and then to a beautiful view if Mt Warning.

The lodge has skylights that protrude through the grassed roof above and next to where you park the car. Again there is an outdoor spa bath and also an external shower this time on a rear patio.

The inside bathroom is designed with a large grotto like shower recess that has a large inverted "U" shaped copper pipe arrangement with the shower head on the top and small spay heads down the side to provide a most unusual shower experience.

Before we leave the bathroom the toilet cistern has a fish-tank in the front section that is operated by an old fashioned lever that came originally from an English pub where it was used to pull beers.

Fresh baked bread is delivered daily and to provide the privacy of the guests it is delivered onto a table on the front patio via a hoist arrangement from the car park area above.

Although not inexpensive you will have a most unique experience without forfeiting the Naturist lifestyle. We can therefore recommend the Amazing Wollumbin Palms Retreat but would suggest a stay at the Earth lodge for the added privacy.

Heading south again we had another overnight stay at Sylvan Glade where we met a Melbourne couple. It never ceases to amaze me how friendly the people are that we meet at these Naturist B&Bs.

Nakation 2010 - Valleydale Cottage

2010-12-08T22:57:00.006+11:00

Time to dust off the clothes as we made our way south again for a return visit to "Valleydale Cottage" in the hinterland behind Byron Bay.

Although not Naturist (per se) it is very Naturist friendly.

We spent 10 days, in 2 x 5day stays, there last year and did the same this time but as 10 days in a row.

The cottage has a single bedroom large lounge/dining room, fully equipped kitchen, nice bathroom with two shower heads, wide verandas all round and a wonderful new spa. There is nothing like looking up at the stars, or if overcast feeling the light rain on your face, with a glass of bubbly in hand and luxuriating in a warm spa, it does't get better than this!

Set back off the road the cottage it is very private so the only neighbours that you have are the cattle that wander past on occasion and the birds that visit.

We are therefore free to live naked in this beautiful environment and to walk the acres with with all your senses opened out, feeling the sun and breeze or light rain on the body and appreciating being so much closer to nature.

At dusk we would sit on the veranda and watch the sky change, the cows moving to their favourite spot for the evening, the noisy friarbird making his last visit to the grevilleas, the night sounds starting up and the call of the BBQ as we start to think of our evening meal.

One of the nice things about Valleydale Cottage is that there is no TV or DVD and phone reception is only available on the veranda at one end and then can be patchy. Now while this may be seen as a negative, it is in fact liberating especially for someone who is on call 24/7 in fact it is a relief. The great thing is that you really start to appreciate the conversations that arise without the background static of a TV.

All to soon it appeared (in a timeless sort of way) that it was time to leave. So we phoned our hosts Chris and Rosy as we left the cottage to say goodbye until our next stay.

10,000 HITS

2010-12-06T23:23:00.000+11:00

Thank you to all our readers.

We hope that we have added to the positive information on and for our fellow Naturists and those that are considering trying Naturism.

Nakation 2010 - boBRENE on Tamborine Naturist Retreat

2010-12-03T21:49:00.003+11:00

We next headed to a Naturist retreat called boBRENE that we had heard great things about located near Mt Tamborine in Queensland.

Their website had stated that there was a variety of accommodation available and a phone call the previous day had secured us a stay on their luxury cottage.

We were fortunate as you normally have to book in advance but as we were staying mid-week we were in luck.

After the 5 1/2 hour run from Bowraville we arrived at boBRENE about 5 pm having followed the clear directions and our trusty GPS (that we have named "Bitch'n Betty")

What a delightful find, Bob and Rene gave us a big welcome from the spa which as we found out later was their customary spot at that hour of the afternoon.

Extricating himself Bob showed us the cottage and we settled ourselves in to what really is a home-away from home. All modern conveniences including sound system, TV / DVD Espresso Machine and on the front veranda a BBQ and beautiful Spa. After the drive a spa was certainly welcome.

The next morning we were greeted with light rain but warm enough to be clothes-free. Out the cottage window we saw a wallaby and joey nibbling on grass only metres away. A quick grab of the camera and we got some great shots.

In hindsight there was no hurry as these "locals" visit regularly which is a real joy although not when they eat Rene's Grevillea plants.

The bird life is also amazing King Parrots, lorrikeets, crows, ducks and many more.

With only a small part of the property developed I took a brief stroll in the bush clad only in sandals. I have spent many hours over the years bush walking but until today had not experienced the absolute joy of walking through our beautiful Australian bush as nature intended.

As with all our Naturist experiences how quickly one feels comfortable clothes-free in environments that have in the past just presumed to be clothed.

A couple from New Zealand arrived and on our last night we enjoyed a BBQ with them plus Bob and Rene at the games room using a wood fired BBQ a most enjoyable evening to conclude our stay.

Thanks Rene and Bob we plan to have a return visit to boBRENE as it is such a beautiful location with great amenities and hosts.

Nakation 2010 - Sylvan Glade Naturist B&B

2010-12-02T22:55:00.000+11:00

Nakation 2010

We arranged holidays for most of November and decided that we would again head north from Sydney and to experience as much clothes-free time as possible, to revisit some places that we found last year and try out some new ones.

We have decided to give a brief summary of each of the places where we stayed during our Nakation with the view to assisting readers to plan their own naked getaway!

With a very wet end of October and start of November we decided that we needed to be flexible. With heavy rain up and down the coast we delayed our departure by a day. So over the next few posts we will look at a these naturist or naturist friendly places to stay.

Finally heading off we decided to overnight at Port Macquarie and then head north chasing warmer temperatures and the Sun.

The second and third weeks we had booked but the first week had became "flexible".

We had a list of Naturist places with us so we decided to make some phone calls.

Sylvan Glade Naturist B&B

Last year we had stayed at Sylvan Glade a naturist B&B at Bowraville so we contacted Maureen and Lindsay and fortunately they had a night free so we look a leisurely run up to Bowraville which is almost exactly halfway between Sydney and Brisbane.

Sylvan Glade is a beautiful home set on acreage and on the side of a hill over looking a picturesque valley. There are 2 rooms available both with ensuites and there is an in-ground pool and beautiful spa.

It was good to catch up with Lindsay and Maureen again and with a clearing sky we caught some sun in the afternoon then had a BBQ dinner with some most enjoyable conversation.

Breakfast is always a joy at Sylvan Glade with a beautifully cooked breakfast served on the veranda with the morning light playing on the valley below.

Ties that bind

2010-11-05T20:06:00.000+11:00

I guess it is fair to say that my generation has grown up with the use of ties, from Primary School, through High School, the Air Force Cadets all had the requirement to wear ties. When I started work ties were the expected business dress along with a suit.

All my heroes growing up wore ties. If James Bond could wear a tie in Jamaica and not break a sweat how could I complain about wearing one on a stinking hot Summer day in Sydney. I just figured you had to be hot to be cool! (well an attempt at suave at the very least)

Video still of Sean Connery as James Bond, 007, in 1963's From Russia With Love.

Why then over the last 12 months have I been quick to remove this long time companion article, as even through the "dot com boom" I kept wearing a tie almost like a badge of honour. When that period came to an abrupt end and a conservative dress standards again became in vogue, I felt quietly justified.

Now unless you have external meetings a tie is optional and I have been going without it!

So again why the change in attitude?

Well I believe it is a result of our Naturist lifestyle, I can see now that clothes are a mask and I want to be free of these. A tie in particular is a fashion accessory and a badge of rank and I would prefer to be seen for who I really am, not what role I have or job I do.

So I now carry my tie in my suit pocket and wear it only when necessary.

Now if I could only not wear a suit or anything else for that matter, but I fear our office is not ready for that, unfortunately.

Relaxation

2010-10-31T18:55:00.001+11:00

“Nudists believe that they have discovered a variation of human society, the importance of which goes far beyond the abandonment of the figleaf.”

Magnus Clarke from Nudism in Australia Deakin University Press Victoria Australia 1982.(p 11)

I don't think that there would be many that would argue that there is an abundance of STRESS in our lives particularly our working lives.

In todays commercial world we are constantly contactable, with laptops, mobile phones, mobile e-mail then if they miss you on all that, there is also voice mail and with all that comes the subtle 24/7 work week.

Is the last thing you do at night check your Blackberry? What about social networking sites, feel compelled to keep your social status updated?

We have been sold the lie that we can multi-task and we therefore load ourselves up with too many tasks and then feel stressed when they are not completed within an unrealistic time-frame.

All this came home to me when I was relaxing on our clothing optional beach this weekend and I felt that familiar comfortable feeling of the sun on my whole body, the light breeze keeping the temperature comfortable and the sounds of the waves and our beach friends as they conversed with each other.

Laying there I felt my entire body relax, and then after a few moments it relaxed even more, then even more after that! It was so noticeable just how much tension I had been holding in my body and it reminded me again how fortunate that we discovered this Naturist lifestyle and what a great antidote it is to this stressful work-a-day world.

Wandering Bares

2010-10-16T16:53:00.001+11:00

We first saw a "Wandering Bares" sticker on a Winnebago owned by some, now nudist friends. I asked where they got the sticker and they said they crossed path with a nudist who was selling the stickers.

Now about 12 months later we have tracked down the creator of these stickers, John & Joan Clarke and have bought and now proudly display our own Wandering Bares sticker on our car!

We asked John what was the history behind the creation of this sticker and here is the response:

John writes:

To begin with, I am a nudist from way back in the early seventies, When I ,with wife and 4 kids joined the old Woodlands, out of Liverpool, Sydney.

Unfortunately, My wife died from breast cancer at 35 years old, leaving me with 4 young children to raise.

Fast forward then to 1986, where with the kids now all with jobs, me up on the Gold Coast, where Joan and I met and became an item. Although Joan had always been textile, she very easily adapted to the nudist lifestyle with me.

In early 1994 we settled on the secluded 40 acre bush block, now called Teatree Park, just out of Agnes Water, Qld. We lived in a caravan while I built our little cottage. When we moved into the house, we kept the caravan area tidy, and made it available as a camp area for travelling nudists. We did a lot of travelling to nudist resorts and beaches. Agnes Water beaches at those time was very secluded then. That was the main reason I had purchased this block in this area.

In 2002 we set off in our little Nissan poptop to travel to Darwin. Along the way we encountered a lot of the "Grey Nomads", as we camped each night in free bush camps. We discovered that the "Campervan and Motorhome Club Australia, had held their Annual Convention at Barcaldine the previous week, and a lot of Motorhomers were also on the way to Darwin.

Quite often as we shared a drink or two with these nomads, I would eye off some of them and think, "look at that couples tan. I bet they're nudists." Politeness, and fear of offending would deter me from asking them straight out. It was because of this that I would think,"wouldn't it be good if they had a sticker on their vehicle that would identify them to other nudists". I decided I would apply myself to trying to make this happen.

Upon our return home, I immediately joined the C.M.C.A. As they instigated various "chapters" in different districts, as well as special interest groups, such as "The Solo's" (nomads travelling alone), and the "Hi-Fi" group for the radio enthusiasts , I wrote to them proposing a nudist special interest group. It didn't even rate a reply. On making inquiries, I was told there were too many old prudes in the executive to even consider it. I decided to "go it alone"

I experimented with a few different designs and caricatures, running them past other nudists at various clubs and resorts, as well as friends, but none seemed to have that "bling" that would really catch on.

Finally, I formed a picture in my mind of what I thought would be an attractive logo. I went to a local graphic artist and went through some design books until we came across the little bear. I had her fill in the changes I wanted, the staff and bundle and such, until the "Wandering Bares" was created.

I liked it so much I forwarded it on to a local sign printer to print 100 stickers to test the reaction.

They immediately struck a chord with all I showed it to, and so the "Wandering Bares" were born.

They took on very well with many single male nudists. They found that it didn't come over as being "in your face" with prudes who would judge them as deviates or such because it was easily explained away to the curious as just a funny sticker that didn't know how to spell "bear". At the same time it was immediately recognised by other nudists they may meet on the road.

They have now been sent to nudists, not only all over Australia, but have sent small orders to the U.S.A. as well as the U.K. and of course N.Z. One description of the sticker that amused me was from an American couple who sent an order for the little "Hobo Bear".

It had never occurred to me that it could be seen as a "Hobo" nudist.

During our trip around Australia in 06-07 we encountered the stickers in many strange places. Not surprising I guess, as we always sought out secluded places to camp along the road, just so we could be in "uniform" while camped. We rarely used caravan parks. It was either nudist places, or out in the bush.

Anyway, that is the story of the little nudist bear.

Thanks to John and Joan for taking the time to share your story.

If you would like your own Wandering Bares sticker to proudly tell "those in the know" of your clothes free preference then send John and Joan a cheque or money order for $5 plus a self addressed envelope to:

J & J Clarke

619 Murphy Road

Captain Creek

QLD 4677

So keep an eye out you never know when you will spot a Wandering Bears sticker!

Nudist, Naturist or Skinny-Dipper?

2010-10-12T23:09:00.001+11:00

Is there a difference between a Nudist, a Naturist or a Skinny-Dipper?

All enjoy the freedom from clothes or coverings and quite often in a social setting so from an outsiders view there appears little if any difference.

There is also a cultural aspect to this discussion, here in Australia the terms Nudist and Naturist are commonly used interchangeably where elsewhere the two terms refer to specific differences in lifestyle choices. Even here in Australia in the past the Naturist was seen to be a vegetarian, with no smoking or drinking and who practiced calisthenics every morning.

In our experience the difference is as much in the mind of the practitioner as it is in the observer.

From our conversations with others who enjoy going clothes-free we would propose the following in today's Australian context:

The Naturist - will seek to be clothes free at every appropriate opportunity and holds to a philosophy that provides a framework of meaning for enjoying the naked activity.

The Nudist - will also seek to be clothes free at every appropriate opportunity but purely because they enjoy the experience and that is enough to meet their needs.

Finally the Skinny-Dipper -this person just enjoys to swim and sun bathe clothes-free. They confine their clothes free activity to the beach or pool and spa.

And all of the above are valid and share an important aspect, that is the clothes free lifestyle is enjoyable!

So where do we stand on this topic?

Well as can be seen from the title of this blog we think that Naturist best describes our lifestyle choice. As such we can fully align ourselves with the International Naturist Federation definition of what Naturism is:

"Respect for self, respect for others, respect for the environment through the practice of communal nudity."

However whether you are a Naturist, Nudist or a Skinny-Dipper revel in the enjoyment of your clothes-free time and be proud of your pastime or lifestyle choice.

Hopefully there will be plenty of opportunity this year to enjoy a clothes free Summer!

Sexploitation films

2010-09-18T22:47:00.006+10:00

In listening to Stéphane Deschenes’ Naturist Living Show on the topic of the sexploitation films of the 30's, 40's, 50's and 60's he had an informative interview with Mark Storey author of Cinema au Naturel a comprehensive genre study analyzes both the good and the bad in nudist film and video from the 1930's to the present.

I decided to try and track down Mark's book on the subject. Unfortunately it is out of print however there are a number of websites out there that talk about the era of the Nudist films.

In the 1938 film “The Nudist Racket”, some excerpts appear in right margin of this blog, the commentary is so politically incorrect that it makes a modern viewer cringe as the voice-over makes fun of a larger woman with low brow, school boy humour. The antithesis of the Naturist view of body acceptance.

There is no doubt that the majority of these films were simply "skin flicks" dressed up as documentaries on the nudist lifestyle.

In the 50’s and 60’s the “nudist camp” was the excuse to show large amounts of attractive female flesh woven around a weak and predictable storyline.

Today they are a cultural curiosity and a window into a bygone age. Particularly looking at the club facilities that were in use at the time.

The characteristics of these films are that more often than not they are shot on location at an exotic nudist facility, usually Florida or Miami, with overcast skies. This is due to the fact that they were almost always shot in winter.

The other interesting observation is that the "nudists" almost all have strong tan lines and it is obvious that they are have not been exposed to "all over" tanning.

The volley ball matches in the earlier films are always interesting to watch due to the fact that they could not show the hint of genitals so the team facing the camera would be wearing shorts!

Likewise around the pool everyone would carry something, a magazine, a hat or a strategically placed towel.

As anyone knows who have visited a naturist/nudist resort towels are often carried but to sit on rather than for any other purpose but in these films although carried they are rarely used for this purpose.

It has been an interesting diversion to look into this period of film making and I wonder how many converts to nudism these films produced. I would guess very few for while they carried a pro-nudist lifestyle message they were obviously voyeuristic in nature.

1st Nude Anniversary!

2010-08-28T23:03:00.000+10:00

Well it is hard to believe that it has only been 12 months on the 29th August since our first tentative steps into the Naturist world because it feels like we have been living this lifestyle for ever!

This is especially so as we have been visiting the beautiful Cobblers Beach in Sydney right through this past year and have made some wonderful friends on this little piece of paradise.

We have also had the opportunity to visits some wonderful Naturists Resorts and again meet people that we now call friends.

We have now become advocates for the Naturist lifestyle through this Blog and, as appropriate, we have made our discovery known to our textile friends and family members. The more people who try this lifestyle, the more that will appreciate the freedom that is the Naturist life.

Anyone who takes the plunge will benefit physically (it is such a pain to wear a swimming costume and it is great to feel the sun all over), emotionally (stress drops with your clothes and you can truly relax) and we have also found a spiritual aspect (a sense of Unity) that we have written about just recently.

Thank you to all the people who have made our journey so welcoming and we look forward to many more years of enjoying the benefits of the Naturist life.

Fitness

2010-08-21T20:47:00.000+10:00

Not sure if others have found this but since adopting the Naturist lifestyle I have got more in touch with my body. I have a better respect for it and I am not over eating as much as before, selecting my foods with an eye to healthy alternatives (like apples when the mid morning munchies strike) and getting back into doing my exercises in the morning.

These exercises are called The Five Tibetans that “stimulate full energy flow through the chakras and enliven corresponding nerves, organs, and glands. They also tone and strengthen the major muscle groups, contributing to a strong, resilient physique.” No, I don't look like Charles Atlas and I am still carrying some weight but I know that I feel better and fitter when I do these as opposed to when I don't.

Once you are familiar with the exercises, practice of the Five Tibetans will take about 10-15 minutes daily and are best done in the nude of course.

The Five Tibetans are ideally practiced 21 times each. Oddly enough, there is no need to exceed 21 repetitions, as the desired energetic effect of the Five Tibetans is achieved at that number. There is no harm performing a greater number, but it simply isn't necessary.

Most people need to work up to that number of repetitions, so don't be concerned if it is difficult to practice the full complement from the start. It takes nearly every beginner a month or longer to work up to the full 21 repetitions.

In the beginning, start out with 10 or 12 repetitions of each exercise. Build your practice at your own pace. You will be doing yourself a great deal of good by practicing any number, and there is a lot of satisfaction to be gained from working your way up to 21 times each.

Take your time, practicing daily and with as much precision as possible. Even as you are building up to 21 repetitions of each exercise, you will start to feel stronger and more energetic.

Enjoy and remember to take them nice and easy this is not a bone crunching workout it is a gentle morning wake up call for your body. No aches and pains afterwards: if you do have any pain, reduce the repetitions. After doing these for 2 months I definitely felt a positive difference.

PRECAUTIONS: Seek your doctor's advice before beginning if you have any of the following

conditions - pregnancy, recent abdominal surgery, unmeditated high blood pressure, hiatal

hernia, hernia, hyperthyroidism, vertigo, seizure disorder, severe arthritis of the spine, lower

back pain, neck pain, weak abdominal muscles, shoulder or leg stiffness or weakness, multiple

sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, fibromyositis, carpal tunnel syndrome, chronic fatigue syndrome.

You will find full instructions for

The 5 Tibetans

as a separate page at the top the this blog.

The experience of Unity through Nudity.

2010-08-08T19:24:00.007+10:00

According to the Judaeo - Christian Scriptures:

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. (Gen 1:1)

According to the book of Genesis, God then created animals, fish, etc and the pinnacle of creation, mankind, formed in the image of God. Adam & Eve the archetype humans are conversing with their Creator in a state of pure unity, naked and at one with their environment.

Painting by Titan, titled 'Adam and Eve'

We then move to what is known as “the fall” when they were then tempted to eat from the tree “of knowledge of good and evil” against the Creator's instruction. The outcome was a loss of unity and a state of separation not only from God, but also from each other and the environment.

This loss of unity was symbolised by the invention of coverings to hide what was different between the male and female body.

Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves. (Gen 3:6)

The practice of Naturism can restore that original condition, even within a now imperfect framework.

By the removal of clothing we have the opportunity to see each other without that level of separateness and we soon realise that we are more similar than different and that the human body comes in multiple variations of the ONE theme.

Clothing hides the similarity and brings about undue attention to parts of the body that become tantalisingly hidden. Thus rather than providing “modesty” clothes provide a socialisation of the erotic, which is the ultimate separation.

For eroticism to exist there needs to be an observer and the observed, which in this case becomes an "object" to be played with in the mind of the observer.

Therefore the observer sees nothing in the way of sameness or unity only the desire to possess the "object".

It is not only Judaeo-Christian Scriptures that carries this message of Unity lost. There is also an Indian philosophy that we study called Advaita Vedanta. This philosophy has at its essence that all of creation is one, that in truth, we and all creation are manifestations of the one single Absolute. According to this philosophy one of the tasks in life is to recognise the unity and live accordingly.

We find that Naturism teaches respect for self, respect for others and respect for the environment and as such moves us to reclaim an appreciation of Unity.

How is this for a TV Ad?

2010-07-24T22:59:00.002+10:00

TVC - France-espace-naturiste- directed by Jerome PY- shortlist Cannes fest 2005 from Jerome PY - Director on Vimeo.

I for one would like to see this advertisement on Australian TV supporting the cause of Naturism. It was a TV Commercial for;France-espace-naturiste- directed by Jerome PY- and was shortlisted at Cannes fest 2005.

Sunkissed’s Sydney Winter

2010-07-18T20:44:00.002+10:00

It is July 18 and although the shortest day has passed and the sun is bringing more warmth with each passing day, the days are still short and the nights are still cold. However the weather yesterday and today has been just beautiful with blue cloudless skies and warm temperatures (19 c).

So armed with our towels and hats we set off eagerly to Cobblers Beach for some clothes-free time in the sun. The beach was quite busy, as was expected, with everyone taking the opportunity to get out in the sun and there were about 4 or 5 boats moored off the beach also taking advantage of the great day.

Yes, the water was cold and it was only the brave that ventured in for a swim but quite a few went in for a quick plunge and returned to the warmth of the beach.

From the beach you can look across Middle Harbour to Balmoral Beach and while Cobblers was crowded there was scarcely anyone on the beach at Balmoral. I have noticed this before on our winter trips on sunny days and put it down to the fact that Balmoral beach is more exposed to the prevailing winds but there was hardly a breath of wind today.

So the question is, are clothes-free beach goers a more “hardy lot” or do we just appreciate every opportunity to get onto the beach and enjoy some clothes-free time?

I think it is definitely the latter.

I know in our case we really appreciate the time that we spend on the beach it is like a mini-holiday as we can fully relax. There is just something magical about feeling the sun and breeze on the whole of your body and being surrounded by the natural beauty of the bush, the brilliant crystal clear sea, the colourful spinnakers of the yachts on the harbour and the deep blue of the sky.

Is it any wonder that we long for any opportunity to visit such a special place whenever the weather allows, whatever the season.

Discovering Naturism after 50

2010-06-26T14:53:00.006+10:00

As latecomers to the Naturist lifestyle we wondered if there was a trend of people discovering Naturism later in life?

In our case we discovered the freedom of being clothes-free when I happened to see a reference to our local clothing-optional beach on a map. This prompted some further investigation on the web and finally a visit, with a certain amount of anxiety I must say, and finally that wonderful moment where I shed my physical clothing and a whole lot of psychological stuff as well!

This experience was so potent that on my arrival home I was beaming and my wife was keen to experience my newfound freedom for herself. So having found a family friendly beach we set off.

She did say that she probably would only go topless but on arrival and after removing her top, I asked if she felt over dressed and she nodded and removed the rest of her clothes.
A short time later and we were enjoying the ocean as God intended.

We had some holidays planned shortly there after and I found a small cottage in the Byron Bay hinterland that was noted as nudist friendly due to it's private location.

So having booked the cottage we then needed a stop over and we selected a naturist B&B (Sylvan Glade) at Bowraville as our first experience of social nudism in a non-beach setting.

As it turned out we were the only ones staying at the B&B so it was a nice gentle introduction, made even easier by our hosts.

Sylvan Glade Pool

On our return we planned to break up our trip by stopping a couple of days at Bowraville and the 3 days at a new naturist B&B (Le Chateau) at Port Stephens.

This was where we met and spent time with a number of like-minded couples in a nudist environment. The thing we noticed about these experiences was the total acceptance and genuine friendship offered both by the hosts and the other guests that allowed us to be comfortable with who we were.

Le Chateau

Returning home we continued to attend our local clothing-optional beach and as regulars over time, we have got to know some wonderful people.

The interesting thing is that a lot of the people we have met are in their mid 40s to mid 50s. Some have been involved in the lifestyle for many years others like ourselves are relatively new.

I read with interest a posting to one of the Naturist online forums where a woman involved in the lifestyle made the suggestion that women on reaching 40+ reach a point where they feel a lot less pressure to conform to the airbrushed ideals of the fashion magazines. If they can start to find an easy acceptance of their bodies then armed with this mindset they are ready to discover the full liberation of Naturism.

We have met a few families and they are bringing up their children in the naturist environment. But I would imagine it will become more difficult as the children grow and demands on their time will be increased.

Hence, we have heard of people leaving the lifestyle that they had discovered in their 20's & 30's, only to pick it up again when the children had grown up.

The last group of late adopters are the grey nomads, retired now, mobile and chasing the sun. These may have been part of the counter-revolution of the late 60s and 70s traveling from nudist resort to nudist resort in their caravans and mobile homes.

So now in our 50's we could be part of a growing trend that may see a strong revival of people looking for more opportunities for social nudity whether at a beach, resort type facility or traditional club.

Why clothes?

2010-06-18T23:48:00.001+10:00

Wowsers

2010-06-14T00:16:00.003+10:00

Our Lost Olympus 1931 - Norman Lindsay

The term "Wowser" was frequently used by artist and author Norman Lindsay, who fought many battles with "Wowsers" over the so called "sexual content" in his art and writing.

The Australian writer C.J. Dennis defined it thus:

'Wowser: an ineffably pious person who mistakes this world for a penitentiary and himself for a warder'.

Normal Lindsay (1879 – 1969) was arguably one of Australia's greatest and prolific artists, as an illustrator in pen and ink as well as a painter in water colours and later in oils. He also etched copper plates with intrinsic details and subtle shadings that was an equal to any of the European masters. In this he was ably assisted by his wife Rose who physically printed the images using a large press and provided quality control to ensure that the images were all clear and a perfect representaion of Normals work. Around 50 images only would be made from each plate.

All this plus over 12 fiction and non-fiction books, garden sculptures that were for his own amusement comprising his favourite subject the naked female form.

And that is where the wowsers stepped in although highly popular and successful during his life Norman Lindsay's work was constantly under attack. Not only did his subjects appear naked but he also depicted pubic hair!

Crete

Art publications that carried his images were considered obscene in some circles and the publishers were even raided by the police. Although never arrested himself he was often concerned about the possibility.

From the late 1800's through to the 1960's he saw moral attitudes change, albeit very slowly, but even in the late 1960's Australia was only just coming to grips with the issue of nudity. Local Nudist magazine Solar was still re-touching photos it was not until 1971 that Solar and The New Zealand Naturist was able to show nude full frontal photographs. The wowsers had been silenced or at least slowed down.

Of course in the 1970's as the Free Beach movement gained momentum we saw the rise of the conservative wowser element again.

Nymphs Bathing in a Forest Pond 1919

It seems that the Australian population has still has a wowser element that ebbs & flows in strength. The culture has been open to increased graphical violence, legalisation of pornography, blatant sexual imagery in advertising and yet the issue of wholesome social nudism is still a major issue for the wowser element.

Magnus Clarke in his work Nudism in Australia talks of the incomplete metamorphosis in Australia about the acceptance of nudity he says "there are still individuals for whom the body is a mysterious and unexplored expanse of flesh which hangs from their necks. Given that they have managed to ignore it for so many years the probability that they will now do otherwise is slight." These are the wowsers!

The Price of "Beach" Is Eternal Vigilance.

2010-05-22T13:08:00.002+10:00

I have adapted this well-known truism to the ongoing vigilance required to protect the clothing optional beaches that Sydney now enjoys.

As we have seen in recent times Sydney’s Mosman Council has again petitioned the State government opposition to revoke the clothing optional status of both Cobblers and Obelisk beaches when they get into power after the state election next year.

The Mosman Daily, local newspaper, has been reporting the debate and on their website they have invited public comment. The overwhelming responses were from supporters of retaining the current status of these two beaches. This was no doubt as a result of a call to action that went out on Naturist websites.

The attack on the beaches was a thinly veiled effort with the thrust of the argument running along the line that there was an increase in antisocial behaviour, because of the beaches clothing optional status. This antisocial behaviour, largely anecdotal, revolved around acts of public sex in a nearby bushland and “strange” men loitering around the nearby oval and public toilets. It was also noted that he area around Obelisk Beach has been referred to as a “Gay Beat” on some Gay websites.

As one Naturist observed this position makes as much sense as banning cars to stop drunk drivers!

This is the same type of campaign that the previous Mayor of Mosman started to run the 2007.

The situation is that the beaches were enacted by state government legislation and therefore the zoning was taken out of the control of the local council. So in order to change the legal status of the beaches. A motion would need to be put to State Parliament, and then passed to amend section 633 of the local government act.

It was pleasing to note that the opposition local member made the following public statement in the Mosman Daily:

North Shore State Liberal MP Jillian Skinner said she would not push for legislative change to outlaw nude bathing at Obelisk and Cobblers until she got word from police that lewd activity in nearby areas had become a major problem.

“If I get strong lobbying from the police, residents and the council who are genuinely concerned about illicit acts occurring near these beaches I will lobby for it,” Mrs Skinner said.

“I don’t condone that behaviour, it’s very worrying ... but at this stage I haven’t heard from many people.”

Don't let the statement fool you, Mosman Council will continue to lobby State politicians to try and have the clothing optional status of our beaches removed.

I would urge all Naturists to write to their local member of Parliament in support of the maintenance of, not only these two clothing optional beaches, but of all beaches that are designated clothing optional in the State.

The last thing that we can underestimate is the power of the “wowser” element within our society.

Jillian Skinner, has made it clear that she is looking for feedback from the community before taking a position on this matter. So I would encourage you, if you have an interest in maintaining these beaches, to write, e-mail, or call your local member and make your position known.

Nudism in Australia.

2010-05-01T13:56:00.006+10:00

I have recently obtained a copy of Magnus Clarke’s book Nudism in Australia, which was published in 1982 as a scholarly work exploring Nudism as it was in Australia from its early days through to what was then the present day (1982).

I am finding this book interesting on a number of counts, firstly I have memories of Australian society growing up in the 60’s through to the early eighties so I can relate to the times referred to. I also am finding interesting the history of the movement, which was brought to Australia, like so many aspects of society, initially from England and then later influenced by the European immigrants.

I also find it interesting that the movement has had some difficulty in developing an underlying philosophy, particularly as I tend to think in these terms and relate to some of the aspects of my experience of the lifestyle in more philosophic terms.

Here is a quote from an Australian Nudist Magazine – “The Australian Sunbather” that opened each issue between 1949-50 with this “creed” one can see how the movement is trying to articulate the common ground that all nudists share. Without doubt it is also a statement for the public at large to show the wholesomeness of the movement to counter the sensational accounts of social nudism in the popular press at the time.

Contrast this with the International Naturists Society’s definition of Naturism adopted by the 14th Congress in 1974.

Naturism/(Nudism*) is :

“ a lifestyle in harmony with nature, expressed through social nudity, and characterised by self-respect of people with different opinions and of the environment.”

*[I will have separate article of the differences and commonality of these two terms.]

The predominant feeling in the book seems to be that Nudism rather than something that one believes is more something that one does!

Speaking from my own experience this very much is a personal disposition and the experience of removing ones clothing in a mixed social setting, can be a simple or a life changing experience depending on ones own state of being.

For others while it may be a psychological release and newfound freedom they do not articulate it that way instead just revel in the feelings and enjoy, and rightfully so!

What ever the impact on the individual, social nudity is a powerful sociological force and some will wish to ascribe a philosophy to it.

Historically we have seen the importation of a German model that had its focus on group physical fitness, a vegetarian diet with a prohibition on tobacco and alcohol.

Other clubs adopted a more Greek and Olympian theme on which to base their club and gatherings without the more rigorous mandate on diet etc.

Finally over time we see a blended version of all these thoughts that came to pass with a focus on leisure, organised games and the social activities of BBQs and alcohol accepted (in moderation) accepted as just as important part of the Nudist lifestyle.

This of course reflected the changes in society attitudes outside of the movement, the changing work patterns in Australia and an increase in general affluence.

Until next time:

What is an Australian Naturist wearing this winter?

2010-04-10T22:06:00.006+10:00

With the sunshine weakening and the days getting shorter, the Australian winter approaches and for the beach going Naturist the opportunity to go naked in a natural setting will reduce.

So what about social gatherings with fellow Naturists as the temperatures drops what is the correct "dress" for winter?

Obviously we are not crazy enough to do without the protection of clothes in winter when needed, but are there any guidelines?

Luckily there are some great guidelines on the Bare Oaks Family Naturist Park website (Bare-Oaks Policies) that I think summarises a common sense approach for social Naturists.

These are:

Clothing should be worn only for protection.

Experienced Naturists know that most body heat is lost through the upper half of the body.

When cool, Naturists put on a shirt – not pants.

When cold the whole body is covered.

So as the weather gets colder and if you attend any Naturist gatherings then use the above guidelines and you wont go too far wrong. Of course everyone has a different internal thermometer and so if you feel cold don't suffer it, dress for your comfort.

The Bare Oaks website has an interesting article on what the owner believes to be the reasons why "clothing optional" does not work. You may or may not agree with him but it is a thought provoking article. Click here

World Naked Bike Ride 2010 - Melbourne

2010-03-22T22:35:00.000+11:00

The crowd hit Parliament House. Photos: Richard Serong

NAKED cyclists invaded central Melbourne Sunday 21st March 2010, with 130 riders stripping off to protest oil dependency and highlight bike safety.

According to organisers, the two-hour Melbourne World Naked Bike Ride was the biggest in the southern hemisphere, surpassing the 50 cyclists who took to Melbourne’s streets in last year’s event.

It is the first year the cyclists haven’t been accompanied by police. Spokesman Senior Constable Marty Beveridge said there were no units assigned to the riders this year.

World Naked Bike Ride organiser Heidi Hill was glad “Melbournians are finally becoming less prudish,” and said the ride had moved from more of a naturist theme to a bike safety theme.

Ms Hill said the aim this year was to show how vulnerable cyclists are on the road. “Pro-bike safety is the overhwelming theme this year”, she said

Ms Hill said there was no sexuality involved in the event and that “as soon as you get your gear off, people need to be themselves.”

Melbourne’s oldest rider was 75.

The riders set off at 3pm in Fitzroy at the Union Club Hotel and went through Lygon St, Carlton, Russel St and Bourke St in the city and ended up at Parliament House.

“People were gobsmacked, they were running out of buildings to see us,” Ms Hill said.

She said as they rode past, onlookers had a smiles on their faces. “We didn’t upset anyone”, she said.

At the end of the ride, the cyclists were overjoyed, yelling “On ya bike!” and “Nude is not rude!”

Ms Hill hopes Melbourne’s 2011 ride will be even bigger, and she hopes it will be as big as the London ride, which over 2,000 people took part in.

Leader Community Newspaper - See article here

Isn't it nice that the major papers didn't pick this up and run with it and the usual sensationalist skew that we have come to expect.

Well done to the organisers who have shown another non-sexual display of nudity this time with positive public message.

Oops, break out the "blur tool" we can't have the unsuspecting public seeing nipples or genitals!

Clothing or Covering / Fashion or Farce

2010-03-16T21:36:00.003+11:00

Looking through the eyes of a naturist clothing takes on a completely different place within our world.

Corporate attire has always been a uniform. The suit and tie, even in the heat of an Australian summer, is more attuned to the prescriptive uniform than the commonsense covering of the body for practical purposes.

With the rise of equality of women in the workplace this was reinforced as woman donned suits, thus perpetuating the same corporate uniform.

Other forms of subtitle uniform can be readily seen in the clothes of our adolescents as the baggy low-slung pants predominates and practicality has no place.

This leads us to fashion, the multi-million dollar industry founded on discontent, social pressure and change for change sake.

The often-flaunted justification for clothes, that of practicality, is seen for what it is, a fabrication.

When clothes are essential for protection from the elements or within a hostile environment, this is perfectly clear. For example for heavy clothes for a European winter, the welders gloves and apron, the use of hats in summer and shoes to protect the feet one’s feet.

The rest of the time, the only explanation is “modesty”. This societal construct is based on opinions formulated by society’s “centres of influence” who fail to see that the human body is anything beyond sexual.

There is also an element of power and manipulation in keeping the population clothed as it reinforces the differences and segregation within society. How can anyone deny the commonality of the human form and see that regardless of colour, shape, age or beliefs, we are in essence all the same.

The social construct of “modesty” can be best typified by the colonial attitude, when zealous missionaries instructed the natives in tropical climates to dress like themselves.

Why again was there no differential between nudity and sex? Surely the connection is in the mind of the beholder, not the naked person.

If this were not the case then at every nude beach or social nude gathering men would all be walking around with erections? This does not happen, why? Because of context!

There is a fundamental difference between the sexual environment between lovers and being at a barbecue with a group of friends. It is also the same reason that in a clothed work setting when a man is introduced to an attractive woman, he will not spontaneously have an erection!

In reality a social occasion in a clothed setting can be more sexually stimulating than a naked one. This is because of the titillation effect for example, a low-cut dress, hinting, what lies beyond stimulates the imagination and that is what causes arousal.

Conversely in a naturist setting, once initially observing the whole person, you can then put that aside and concentrate on the meeting of the person with freedom from distraction and innuendo, allowing for a more genuine interaction to take place.

Addicted to Boob Jobs

2010-03-07T18:52:00.002+11:00

Addicted to Boob Jobs -Lifestyle You Channel, 6 March 2010

wikipedia.org - Dr. Placik Breast Augmentation

Last night I was watching this British produced documentary through the eyes of 26-year-old Fashion Journalist Louise Roe. Addicted to Boob Jobs looks at women who are not satisfied with having just one boob job but who are choosing to return to the operating table again, again and in some cases again.

During the course of this show, it became clear that the women interviewed were considering additional surgery were doing so for “themselves”, not for their boyfriends/husbands, although their partners were supportive.

There was one woman who had one augmentation and now wished to go up an additional cup size. Divorced with two children, and no man in her life, her comments were that she wanted to feel better about herself and had identified that large breasts would be the end to this.

Kate Merrony, 20, a glamour model and Mum from Bournemouth admits that one boob job just isn’t enough for her. Even though Kate’s first boob job has made her an E cup she still isn’t satisfied with the size and wants to go even bigger.

Anne Marie Hart, 24, had her first boob job eighteen months ago which took her from a b cup to an e cup she now wants larger breasts that she believes would help to pursue a career as a “glamour model”. Clearly, she felt that had enhanced breasts were not good enough and larger implants would make a difference.

The interviewer, in her side comments. rightly pointed out that it reminded her of pinning your happiness on the acquisition of a new car, then after a few months, one then realised that the feelings associated with the acquisition of the car had passed, they then started to plan for a “better” new car, to achieve this elusive happiness.

The show goes on to document the ordeal, that is involved with not only traditional augmentation surgery, but also a less invasive process called a boob jab, where a substance is injected into the breast tissue, under local anaesthetic, and then moulded into shape, like plasticine. This then last about 18 months until the product is obviously absorbed into the body ?

Diagrams of cross sections of breast implants, subglandular (left) and submuscular (right)

British and Australian television networks are to be applauded in the presentation of shows such as these as unlike the American networks there is no issue showing a nipple during these informative procedures. The viewer observes the true graphic details of the augmentation procedure, where the incision is made, the old implant removed, and then more breast tissue removed to accommodate a larger implant The interviewer, who was allowed to watch the procedure had to leave the room at one point, and understandably so.

Chest X-ray showing bilateral breast implants

What was abundantly clear was that the perceived issue that these women are trying to address is more psychological than physical.

Now from a naturist perspective, the whole aspect of body acceptance is confronted within the first experience of social nudity. The great freedom experienced, when one sheds your clothes in a totally accepting social setting, allows one to be comfortable in one's own skin.

Now I realise that this is a “chicken and egg” situation as one must have a certain degree of body acceptance to take the plunge and remove your clothing in the first place. However, having done so, one realises the infinite diversity and infinite combinations that makes up a human form and we can then celebrate the variations rather than compare to some conceptual "perfect image" that is, in fact, an illusion.

On our local beach, we see all sizes and shapes of bodies, and yes, breasts in all their variations, including enhanced and reconstructed. There are also scars, birthmarks and stretchmarks, all on show, and all totally unimportant.

In the naturist setting, we have the rare opportunity to see people for who they are, rather than what they look like. It also gives us the opportunity to appreciate all body shapes, sizes and ages. Plus, putting a spotlight on the truth of who we are, that we are much more than our body.

Over the course of this month the same Lifestyle Channel, will run a number of programs that will show the folly of perfect body image, particularly in the eyes of the young. They were supposed to be airbrushed magazine industry are unhealthy body shapes of the runway models and other false images that are put forward as aspirational “real” men and women.

What a pity that this society is so gymnophobic (anxiety from nudity) for a greater acceptance of public nudity, and therefore exposure to it would create a new body acceptance of the whole population.

Spenser Tunick in Sydney

2010-03-01T23:27:00.002+11:00

A crowd in excess of 5000 people gathered at the Sydney Opera House just after dawn today, defying cool temperatures to put together an installation titled Mardi Gras: The Base.

Tunick is known worldwide for his large-scale installations comprising of nude people posed and photographed in varying formations and patterns. In addition to the temperature which hovered around 20 degrees Celsius, the models also had to contend with a crisp breeze coming from Sydney Harbour, heralding the first day of autumn.

Read more here...

Great to see such a display of non-sexual nudity!

From Clothesfree.com

2010-02-28T21:40:00.001+11:00

Thought this one sums it all up!

Mmm...

Had to grab some shorts when the Pizza man arrived tonight.

But I'm in no doubt, I am a Nudist!

News Item - 27 Feb 2010

2010-02-27T23:22:00.004+11:00

From an article in the Sydney Morning Herald "Another Sydney Cover up" -- Click here for link

Professor Doug Booth, author of Australian Beach Cultures: the history of sun, sand, and surf, said the utopian ideas surrounding public nudity, and particularly nude bathing, held by young baby boomers have been thoroughly rejected by their offspring. Even Speedos are now considered indecent.

In the past 10 years he had noticed ''a remarkable conservatism which reveals itself in attitudes towards bathing costumes''. ''I think it's a combination of social hysteria around paedophilia and a fear of technology and what technology can do now,'' he said.

Even a statue of a naked child on the beach can cause angst and have to be covered, as happened with an entry in last year's Sculpture by the Sea exhibition.

Mr [Bob] Reed conceded in this climate, the movement was having trouble attracting new recruits.

'''Most naturists are the naturists who were nude in the 1970s and 1980s. This is who [the police are] harassing now - people in their 50s, 60s and 70s.''

Is this true?

On many different naturist forums there are postings asking "Where are all the young people?"

One of the most sensible responses that I have heard comes from Stéphane Deschênes* owner of Bare Oaks Family Naturist Park in Canada, who reminds us that the young 20 somethings make up but a small part of the population so they may well be represented in appropriate numbers based simply on this point alone. Second it is normally when people are in their 30's with some stability that the naturist lifestyle becomes more attractive and affordable. *see link to Naturist Living Show

So don't close the lid on the coffin just yet!

From my experience at Cobblers Beach, our "clothes optional beach", I have observed a good mix of ages. On any given weekend you will see a good cross section of the population from 20 somethings to 80 year olds.

Yes the majority of people are in their 40's and 50's just like in the general population. The really great thing about our local beach is that we do have families come down regularly and the whole beach has a real family friendly atmosphere.

Are all these people naturists or are they "skinny dippers"? To me it does not matter yesterdays skinny dipper can be tomorrows naturist.

If the popular press is to be believed the younger generations are environmentally aware what better entrée to the naturist movement if only they can break the bonds of the body-image demons.

As they say in the classics time will tell.

News Item - 23 Feb 2010

2010-02-27T17:17:00.006+11:00

VIDEO: Naughty nudes

Click above link for the video report of this article.

At Little Congwong Beach at La Perouse nudists who frequent the picturesque beach on the northern edge of Botany Bay have become the subject of a National Parks and Wildlife crackdown.

Little Congwong has been an unofficial haven for naturists for 50 years. However, complaints from some locals saw police raid the beach on Sunday and threaten nude bathers with fines. On 22 February, the sun lovers were defiant, returning to the beach despite warning signs and the police raid according to Chelsea White of The Daily Telegraph.

It really makes me wonder about our current society and what makes the sight of the naked body so threatening!

The beach in question is isolated and has a traditional use by naturists, granted it does not have legal status as a nude beach but with the small number of legal nude beaches within the Sydney area (3) you would think that the government and local council would create another one.

If there is overt sexual activity undertaken by members of the public then bring the full force of the law onto them and allow the genuine naturists enjoy the environment in a natural state.

Why this Blog?

2010-02-27T14:43:00.006+11:00

Our local legal clothes optional beach.

This blog will capture the irregular posts of Sunkissed an Australian Naturist couple as we continue to explore the naturist lifestyle and the questions and experiences that arise.

Although I may speak in the singular at times in this blog the recorded comments will be reflective of our shared views, questions and observations.

We have been attracted to this lifestyle by the freedom found in removing the clothes and with them the self imposed and society imposed repression and stress that we have carried around with us for so long. We also wish to explore and gain an understanding of the philosophy and history of naturism. To this end there are a great many sources of information on the Web and as we explore these we will endeavour to note our discoveries here in our blog.

This blog has also been brought about by the excellent blogs that I have read and this has encouraged me to try my hand and to add in some small way to the body of knowledge available on this highly beneficial life style.

I therefore have provided links to those blogs that I have found particularly interesting and helpful in the panel to the right.