The latest interview with naturists around the world comes from NSW, Australia

We are delighted to welcome J and T - Aussies to this project:

1 Tell us a little about yourselves and your part of the world.

I have lived for most of my life in the Sydney and Hunter Valley Regions of NSW Australia. We are currently living on a 56-foot motor cruiser in Nelson Bay.

I am a retired professional consultant but have ventured into several alternative pursuits over the years, including a nudist resort, a nudist B&B, and coffee plantation.

The Nelson Bay/Hunter Valley region is some 200 kms north of Sydney. It is famous for its fine beaches, natural resources and fine wines.

2 What was the attitude towards nudity and naturism in your home and upbringing as a child and teen?

Fairly strict catholic family. Certainly no nudism in practice or conversation.

3 How did you first get involved in naturism and what were your initial thoughts?

I was working for the State Department of Lands at the time the NSW government declared five beaches in the State to be legal for nude bathing, I was given the job of erecting signs on and adjacent to Samurai Beach to advise of the new status of the beach. My wife and I ventured down to Samurai the following day to find 30 plus nudists enjoying their newfound “home”. My wife and I decided to give it a try, loved it and have forever thanked the Government of that day for introducing us to this wonderful lifestyle.

4. Do you think that your initial reasons and attitudes towards naturism have changed since then and how?

I guess ‘reasons’ don’t come into our introduction to naturism. However, our respect for, and love of, the lifestyle has only grown over the years.

5.Tell us about your naturist adventures so far.

We have enjoyed many, many wonderful days at Samurai Beach – swimming, surfing, fishing and simply lazing in the sun.

Travels to nudist destinations in Australia have been a part of our homeland holiday schedules for many years.

Fortunately, we have also been able to travel to America and Europe to visit some of the large and small naturist facilities. And the couple of nude cruises we have taken with Bare Necessities have also been fun.

6. How would you best explain naturism to someone new to it and what advice would you offer to them?

I believe one of the first things to discuss is ‘body image’. We need to unfold people’s preconception that you must have the perfect body before venturing into social nudity. “Oh, I’ll give it a try, but I will have to lose some weight first”.

Also, very important for women is to try to ensure that their first experience of social nudity is in a comfortable, secure environment.

7. What do you think naturism has taught you about yourself and do you think it has changed you in any way?

I think in my youth I was concerned about my body. Not really my genitals as I didn’t really have too much opportunity to compare. Perhaps my general looks and stature.

Naturism brought all that back to the reality ... it is not the body or the ‘looks’ that define a person.

8. Do you think that there are certain people better suited to naturism and others that are not suited to it?

Perhaps I could single out those people who cannot disassociate nudity with sex as being unsuited to naturism.

9. How does your country consider naturism? How do the laws stand supporting naturism? What are the national and local opportunities like?

A survey conducted many years ago in Sydney indicated that some 72% of males were not offended by other people’s nudity. For females the percentage was 65%. These figures did not indicate whether or not those same people would participate in social nudity if given the right opportunity.

The American photographer, Spencer Tunick, has conducted large scale nude installations in Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne. We attended the photo shoot in Sydney, along with some 5,200 others, on the steps of the Opera House. The event coincided with peak-hour traffic coming into the city. I do not recall any hint of public objection at the site or following in the media.

The status of legal nude beaches in Australia varies from state to state. NSW, South Australia, Western Australia, Victoria and the ACT have legally designated nude swimming areas. There are plenty of unofficial nude beaches throughout the country.

10. How would you like to see the future of naturism developing over the next 30 years and do you feel these ideas are achievable.

I would like to think that the evolution of social media throughout the world will advance rather than hinder the acceptance of naturism as a legitimate lifestyle choice.

I am optimistic about the future, particularly when I see the great work being undertaken by ANW. Keep up the good work.

11 What are the biggest problems that naturism is currently facing? Do you think these are worldwide concerns?

One of the significant problems naturism has faced is the need for the media to keep the notion that nudity equals sex. Sex sells. Unfortunately, in the advanced countries where naturism has the best opportunities to advance, the media has the most power.

12. If the world was accepting of naturism - happy to take on a clothing optional policy in most situations - how do you think it would change the way society works - what positives could you imagine and do you think there would be any negatives?

Interesting question. Realistically I don’t think that your scenario would fundamentally change society. Whilst I believe there would be a strong up-take of people who would embrace the opportunity to live a clothing optional lifestyle, those seeking power, control, influence, etc. would retain clothing to support their narcissism and need for attention.

13. Are there any aspect of naturism that frustrates you or annoys you or you feel let down by? Are there any answers that you can think of to put these things right?

One of the local issues we need to deal with is that clothing optional beaches tend to attract voyeurs and perverts. Particularly where those beaches are a little isolated. For the most part the perpetrators are middle-aged men who slink through the adjacent bushlands and sand dunes. Whilst direct contact with people on the beach is not usual, their presence disturbs the genuine nudists and is off-putting to single women and of course those first timers to the world of naturism.

The short-term answer could be to restrict all access to areas outside the immediate beach environment. Increased patrols by police and National Park rangers could also be effective.

I think the long-term solution is to educate the general public on the legitimacy of the naturist lifestyle. Then perhaps we could achieve a more relaxed public attitude to the presence of clothing optional beaches and locate them within the urban environment rather than in the isolated locations we currently find them.

14. Has there ever been a specific day, location, venue, activity that at the end of it has made you think - this is naturism at its best?

A week spent at TENRR (Top End Naturist Recreation Retreat – NT Australia).

Modest but comfortable accommodation, private rural property with unique Northern Australia landscape, long walks in complete solitude, a great variety of interesting and entertaining guests, clear sun-filled days (30 degrees Celsius, no wind, low humidity) each and every day. Clothes off on arrival, back on 7 days later.

15. Do you speak to friends and family about your naturism? Do you have any tips to pass on to others?

Yes, we are happy to tell everyone about our love of naturism. We find that if you are upfront with people from the outset, talk about it openly and casually, it is very rare to be confronted with objection or a ‘shock horror’ reaction. By far the most common response is that of interest and/or humour.

We strongly believe that those naturists who attempt to hide their participation in the lifestyle are only making a rod for their own backs. When friends and family do eventually find out their little secret, they are immediately on the back foot – a common reaction seems to be “why have you been so secretive about your nude activities it if there is nothing wrong it”?

16. What five words would you use to describe naturism that people who haven't tried naturism may not have considered and what five words would you say doesn't describe naturism that those same people may wrongly consider to be true?

True

Normal: Naturists are normal people from all walks of life

Accepting: Naturists are non-discriminatory of race, colour and religion

Assortment: Naturists come in all shapes and sizes

Shrewd: Naturists cover-up when it’s cold

Environmentalists: Naturists experience a closer relationship with their environment than their textile colleagues.

False

Sex: Nudity does not equal sex

Abnormal: To the contrary.

Gym-Junkies: Some but not many.

Cult: Definitely not

Extroverts: Some elements but not all

17. If you were to close your eyes and consider naturism as an animal, a colour and a food item what three answers would come to mind?

Seal

Bronze

Coffee

18. Do you have any naturist regrets?

That we could not keep Bardots Resort going. Such a wonderful place.

19. Why do you think people should join ANW? What can existing naturists get from it and how about "newbies"?

The more opportunity there is for naturists to communicate and feel supported the better.

Naturists can expand their knowledge of their adopted community and discover new friends and new locations to enjoy.

“Newbies” will appreciate getting to know the naturist community and to become informed of the do’s and don’ts of the lifestyle.

20. If you could go anywhere in the world now as a naturist where would it be?

Probably France. We love the country, the culture, the history, the people and the wide choice of naturist facilities.

21. If ANW wasn't about naturism but something else entirely what other life choice/hobby/interest/passion...would have made you consider joining it?

Boating ... live aboard.

22. Many naturists incorporate naturism into the daily home life - how important do you think that is to naturists?

Not sure what percentage of naturists can, or would like to, enjoy being nude at home.

For us, it is very important. We have always tried to ensure that our homes are suitable for a naturist lifestyle. Fortunately, most have given us this opportunity.

Some, 100% inside and out, others slightly less so.

23. Do you feel sharing naturism has brought you closer as a couple and added to your shared lives?

Yes definitely. Our mutual love of naturism adds that special touch of excellence to our already beautiful life together.

Thank you for this opportunity to express some of our thoughts and ideas on naturism.

It has indeed brought back many great memories of our life within this wonderful community.

J and T

Thank you to J and T for sharing aspects of his life and naturism in this interview. 

ANW welcomes all who are respectful and interested in naturism and invite all genuine naturist organisations, clubs, events, venues and other opportunities to be part of the ANW community and work with us to encourage the growth and acceptance of naturism around the world. If you have any questions email Anna and Steve at [email protected]


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