Mar 21, 2020 at 23:42

What Is Naturism

na·tur·ist

noun
1. A person who appreciates the beauty and benefits of nature.
2. A nudist.
Origin: 1675-85

nud·ist

Word Origin and History for Nudism
Origin: 1925-1930, adjective and noun, from French nudist e or formed in English from nude (adj.) + -ist also see nudism.

na·tur·ism | nud·ism

noun

The practice of going nude, especially in places that allow sexually mixed groups, in the belief that such practice benefits health.

Some History of Naturism

For most of human history, nudity was a natural and normal part of life. People were nude when environment and conditions favored it.

The “bathing suit” is a very recent invention dating back only about a century. It is only with the advent of scientific advancement and industrialization that humans began to be ashamed of their bodies. As we began to replace the natural world with manufactured goods, we grew to see all that was not man-made as imperfect. The human body became an object of shame to be hidden and shaped by clothing.

The beginning of modern Naturism can generally be traced to the late part of the 19th and early 20th century in Germany and it spread then through Europe and to England. It was during this time that the health benefits of sunshine on the human body were re-discovered and the practice of taking “air baths” was becoming more common.

In these early days total nudity was often compulsory and total prohibition on alcohol and tobacco with the practice of vegetarianism and gymnastics, it is interesting that the “gym” comes from the Greek “gymnos” meaning naked as in ancient times that is how physical activity was done.

Thus this nude healthy lifestyle movement was called Naturism as it reflected a more natural engagement with our environment.

Many people decided that the practice was not as attractive as the theory, but while some of them deserted the cause completely, others noticed that the social nudity had a positive psychological effect which they all appreciated.

When people removed their cultural body armor they felt freer and less stressed than during their everyday lives. People were who they were, not what they pretended to be behind their textile uniforms, jewelry, and makeup.

This relaxed social ambiance became the hallmark of twentieth century social Naturism / Nudism.

In Australia when the First Fleet arrived in Botany Bay they found the Aboriginals naked and unashamed, sensibly attired for the warm Australian climate. However, those early settlers had brought their good old English morality with them, they knew better than the locals. It was indecent to be nude according to them. Apparently though, some of the British soldiers found the weather and the white sandy beaches just too tempting and often went swimming in the surf naked.

In 1833, “to preserve decency” the Governor put a stop to that. He banned sea bathing completely during daylight hours. It was not until 1902, after a lot of civil disobedience and many arrests, that this law was finally revoked.

Over the following decades people slowly found more and more freedom from the full “bathing costumes” of the time with arms and legs being slowly revealed until the 1930’s where what we consider the first modern bathing suits were accepted on public beaches.

The first Naturist/Nudist clubs in Australia were formed in the 1930’s and rose in popularity post World War II with soldiers particularly those who served in the Pacific having experienced skinny-dipping and wanting to re-discover the experience.

Thus clubs had a period of growth in the 1950’s and then again in the late 1960’s through to the early 80’s when a more liberal attitude to the human body was accepted. Nudity was on prime time TV with the soap “Number 96” and “The Box”. Pix and Post magazines were showing top free photographs of models and similar photos of a “Page 3” girl in the afternoon newspapers.

This was also the period of the free beach culture and politicians decided to designate legal nude bathing beaches, the first being in South Australia at Maslin Beach in February 1975. Other States followed suit and it was expected that more and more clothing optional beaches would be proclaimed.

Who would have thought that the late 1990’s and into the 2000’s would bring a swing to a more conservative attitude and unfortunately the momentum and tolerance of the naked body has not been forthcoming. It harks back to the original attitudes of the first British settlers that in what is the most suitable climate for nude recreation that being Queensland is still without a legal clothing optional beach.

A short essay on discovering the joys of Naturism, what is it, it’s benefits, etiquette, ways to enjoy it, what it is not, plus a short history. By Stuart & Lucia Whelan

Read online or download.

Source: Discovering Naturism

Maslin Beach, South Australia

Maslin Beach is a small coastal suburb in the south of Adelaide, South Australia. The small suburb is about 30 minutes. approximately 35 km (22 mi) from the City of Adelaide. Maslin Beach lies within the City of Onkaparinga local government area, and neighbors with the suburbs Moana, McLaren Vale and Port Willunga.

Maslin Beach is reached by Main South Road and is also serviced by Public Transport. If going by public transport I have found taking a train from Adelaide to Colonnades, Noarlunga Centre followed by bus to Maslin Beach main car park. There are 2 car parks, the main car park and a car park at the top of the cliffs. Midway between the beach and the top car is a shower and toilet area.

A Slice Of Maslin

A scenic view of Maslin Beach

In 1975, the southern half of the beach was declared Australia’s first official nude beach. Maslin Beach offers a stunning coastal line approximately 3kms (1.9 mi) long. Beautiful scenery including rich, multicolored cliffs. Another first and although not related to Naturism is the legalization of Same-Sex couples in 1974, which shows the progressive government of the time.

Annual Nude Olympics

Games Sponsor: Pilwarren

Annually until 2007, the community held the Maslin Beach Nude Olympics. Known worldwide, this fun filled event includes informal competitions such as the best bum competition, 3 legged races and more. This was a widely respected event within the community and worldwide. Footage of the days events was often filmed and quite often has enquiries from overseas television stations. I am unaware of why the event was finally canceled but commonly thought that insuring the event became too costly. There was an effort to organise the event again for 2010 but sadly did not eventuate.

With new sponsorship, Maslin Beach Nude Olympics was held on the 20th of January, 2013. Approximately 300 people of all shapes and sizes turned up to enjoy a day in the sun and nude to compete.

Events

Frisbee Distance Throwing Competition | Frisbee Accuracy Competition | Tissue Box Competition | Sack Race | Swap Swap Competition (Adults 18 Years Only) | Three Legged Race | Individual Beach Ball Race | Pairs Beach Ball Race | Baton Race | Raw Egg Throwing Competition | Do-nut Eating Competition | Combo Competition | Water Bucket Over The Head Team Competition | Water Fill Competition | Male Best Bum Competition 35 & Over | Male Best Bum Competition 18-34 | Female Best Bum Competition 35 & Over | Female Best Bum Competition 18-34 | Tug O’ War

Pelican Point Beach

Website: Pelican Point Nudist Resort

About 220 km north east of Adelaide on the Sturt Highway at Barmera is Lake Bonney, an off shoot of the Murray River. On the western shores of Lake Bonney is Pelican Point, a legal clothing optional beach adjacent to the Pelican Point Nudist Resort. Camping on the foreshore in this area used to be permitted but sadly this is no longer allowed.

If you like lazing in the sun, canoeing, sailing, water skiing, or just getting away from life’s hassles, all without clothes of course, then Pelican Point is for you. You will have to rough it a little as there are no facilities provided at all. If you want comfort then best you stay in nearby Barmera and travel out to Pelican Point for day trips, or better still at the nudist resort right next door.

To get to Pelican Point turn off the Sturt Highway 4 km west of Barmera into Morgan Road then a short distance later turn east into Ireland Road which will take you in to the clothes optional beach. This is the only way into the beach.

Sadly by reports the resort is rather run down and up for sale, it is hoped once sold it will remain a Nudist Resort.

Beachport

Website: Sunland Holiday Village           Website: Lake Saint Clair Nature Retreat

The imaginatively-named Beachport Beach, midway between the towns of Beachport and Robe, about 350 kilometres south-east of Adelaide. It’s a large beach, with huge sand dunes, an offshore reef that offers some protection from Southern Ocean waves, and the occasional treacherous current. To get to the part of it where nude bathing is legal, head to Sunland Holiday Village (which offers nudist camping, by the way) then take a walk over the dunes to a five hundred metre stretch of nude beach. Swimming there is reasonably safe and, so long as you stay out of the way of unprotected swimmers, there’s some good fishing as well.

Murrippi Beach

Enquiries: Whyalla Nudist and Social Club, Ph +61 8 8649 1574.

This beach was established in 1985 following a request from a local club for an area which would allow members to legally practice nude bathing. Visitors are welcome to use the beach, but should note that it is an undeveloped section of coastline, does not have facilities, is not signposted, and may be difficult to locate. The road is also unsealed and not suitable for caravans or large vehicles. A ‘mud map’ of the area is available upon request from the Whyalla Visitor Centre and it is strongly advised to ring the Whyalla Nudist and Social Club prior to visiting Murrippi Beach. Located: 12 kms along Mullaquana Road from the intersection with Lincoln Highway.

Warning: It is recommended that 4WD’s are used and that the drivers have some vehicle recovery skills and 4WD experience.

Maslin Beach Movie

IMDb: tt0229564

If anyone is interest, In 1997 a movie named “Maslin Beach” was released. The acting leaves much to be desired but it does not take away from the breath taking views of such a beautiful beach It is about a couple dissatisfied with their relationship discover true love one afternoon on a nude beach.

Synopsis: Financed outside the political funding system now controlling the Australian film industry, Maslin Beach demonstrates an interesting film making strategy – no costumes, no sets, one location and action contained within real time. The film features a huge cast of over forty performers, cameo performances by table top dancers, sex workers and opera singers – all performing naked for this seaside extravaganza. A day on a beach like no other in the world…

Genres:  Comedy | Drama | Romance