MAY - JUNE 1991

Greetings Sun Lovers,

Easter weekend was a busy weekend for sane FBG members. While some were enjoying themselves up at Uretiti (see report later), others (approximately 35 members from Wellington, Auckland, Hawkes Bay and Bay of Plenty) were having fun at Rotota Sun Club.

From all accounts the people that went had a grand time what with nude bush walks, warm mud fights, walks along hot rivers and thermal pools. Other highlights included hangi type cooking using lobster pots down fumaroles at the back of the camp and a handball game between the "Lampton Quay Gang" and the "Queen Street Mob" - although no one is admitting to losing.

The club itself is in a very handy location - ideal for a stop over when travelling between Auckland and Wellington. There are plenty of camping sites available at $4/site and 2 caravans for hire. It is on the shores of the Waikato River and it is possible to make arrangements to get to Orakeikorako by boat direct from the camp.

They have a lovely clubhouse with the only reported problems being that it can be cold in the mornings and there were large numbers of wasps.

The people that went would like to say thank you to Rotota Sun Club for being such marvellous hosts.

 

URETITI BEACH EASTER CAMP:  The weather was with us - fine and sunny and a number of members turned up. Some stayed for a few days while others just called in for a visit. Due to the Rotota trip there were fewer than usual but we still had a great time including a barbecue with two sheep on the spit to which we were invited. There may be another such barbecue on Labour weekend. This is not a Free Beach event but is still a lot of fun.

 

TAURANGA HOT POOLS NIGHT:  We have been invited to join Rotota Sun Club on SATURDAY 18th MAY between 12:00pm and 4:00pm for their annual swim at Fernland Hot Pools, Cambridge Road, Tauranga. Price is adults - $4.00 children - $1.00. A BYO pot-luck dinner will be organised - please bring cutlery, glasses, plate (with food!) and your own drink. It may be possible to arrange billets for people with tents. Please contact Graham MacGregor on (075) 786 693 or Tom Lewis (09) 418-1890 (between 7:30pm and 8:00pm) if you want more information. Make sure you bring your ID!

 

PAPAMOA BEACH:  Good news! The legal nude beach signs have been re-erected and the disputes between the Maori land owners and the council have been resolved.

 

WINTER BARBECUE:  John and Fran have rebuilt their barbecue and made an all weather patio area. They will be hosting a Free Beach barbecue on Saturday 22nd June to celebrate the return of the sun after the winter solstice. The area is very private and suitable to strip off should the day be warm. Those members who have been to a barbecue here have had an enjoyable time. For reasons of space, numbers have to be limited so please ring Fran on new phone number 576-5219 if you wish to go. Bring your own meat and a salad or something to share. Time - any time after 4pm.

 

AGM AND WAIWERA POOLS:  The AGM is to be held on Saturday 24th August at the same venue as last year, again with a trip to Waiwera hot pools in the evening to follow. Unfortunately, due to new ownership, the cost of Waiwera has gone up to $25 a head and must he paid in advance. If you are interested in going to Waiwera could you please let the committee know as soon as possible so that we are able to estimate the numbers involved. Also we will be looking for new faces for the committee for next year so if you'd like to get involved give us a call and possibly come along to the next meeting.

 

 

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VISITING SUN CLUBS:  When going to visit a sun club PLEASE carry your FBG card with you so that you can show it if requested - you may be refused entry if you are unable to do so. This will ensure that bona-fide FBG members ONLY are responsible for the reputation WE have in the sun clubs. Also, PLEASE phone or write ahead and make arrangements for your visit - again, you may be refused entry if you don't! And remember that while you are a guest of a sun club you are on their territory and you should abide by their rules with regard to photography etc.

 

BEACH DIARY:  It seems that not all beach days are well patronised. The committee realises that in these more straightened times not everyone wants to travel to distant beaches. However the membership is spread over a largish area and we would like some feedback from people in the greater Auckland area as to what you want in the way of an Auckland diary for next summer.

 

SWIMARAMA:  Still looking for alternate venues.

 

BEACH LISTS:  We would still like to hear from people regarding beaches in their area so that we can ensure that the beach list is as complete and accurate as possible.

 

HOT POOL NIGHTS - RICCARDS:  Last Friday of each month, February through November. Come and join the fun 6pm to 10pm. Chinese and European takeaways on site. Riccards pool complex is the last on the left as you drive through Parakai.

Dates: 31st May, 28th June, 26th July.

Cost:   Adults $4.50 Children $2.80

Hosts: Hibiscus Coast Sun Club

 

SAUNA:

Sunday night is still sauna night so join us at:

 

PLACE:		Alladin's Bathhouse, 433 Richmond Road. Grey Lynn.
TIME:		Every Sunday from 5pm onward.
COST:		$6.50, includes free coffee, tea and fruit drinks.
SOCIAL NIGHTS:		Second Sunday every month: 12th May, 9th June & 14th July. BYO and a plate.
RESTAURANT DINNERS:		Don't forget we occasionally go off after the sauna to wine and dine in a city restaurant.

Contact: John or Fran 565-219   5765 219.

 

DEADLINE FOR NEXT ISSUE: June 1st

 

Your July - August newsletter is due out end of June.

 

COMMITTEE

 

Chairman	-	Tony Wilson	627-9726
Treasurer/Membership Sec - Jim Peddieson   559-9730* (ask for Jim)
Secretary	-	John Riggir	576-5219
Committee	-	Adrienne Jury	576-7519
		Roly Brett	576-2494
		Fran Riggir	576-5219
		Dave Hobart	537-5443
		Colin Walsh	266_5667*
		Tom Lewis	418-1890

Local Contacts:	-	Chris Arnold	CH  03-335-8337
		Doug and Peggy Ball	NU  067-33-393
		Bill Baine	WN  04-628-514
		Bernard Holibar	PUK 085-87-973
		Geoff Horn	WAE 058-35-192
		Gerald Robertson	CH  03-348-3195
		Wilf Tyrrell	CH  03-596-143
		Hugh Bowles	DV  0653-46-238
Roving Reporter:	-	Adrianne Caldwell	on safari

Please use numbers marked * with discretion.

 

 

SUBS FOR 91/92  The amount for next year's subscription will be fixed at the AGM, and you will receive a Yellow Renewal Form with your next newsletter. There is no need to pay until then!

 

 

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ACCOMMODATION:  We recommend the Waiwera Thermal Caravan Park for those who wish to stay overnight and drive home the next day. Caravans on site are available for hire at $10 - $20 per person. The park has full motor camp facilities, with a hot spa pool, small heated swimming pool and a store. Petrol pump on the main road. The caravan park is at the end of a side road on your right just before the Waiwera Pools complex, and fronts onto the beach. Please book early. The address is: Waiwera Thermal Caravan Park, P.O. Box 35, Waiwera, phone 0942-65-270.

 

EXTRAORDINARY GENERAL MEETING:  The EGM will take place just before the AGM to consider following changes to rules as suggested by the Chairman Tony Wilson.

 

1, To replace 2(a) under objects which reads at present as:

To promote the establishment of legal "Free Beaches". That is, public places where all those wishing to do so may swim and sunbathe without clothes of any kind.

With 2(a):

To promote, encourage and support the practice of recreational nudity in public places when appropriate and desirable, such nudity being at the discretion of the individuals participating.

Reasons:

With better appreciation of legal position of nudity in New Zealand committees of the Group in Past ten or so years have not sought "Legal" beaches as in essence all beaches are already FREE. The amended main object as above more accurately reflects the "broader brush" thrust of the Groups activities in recent past and foreseeable future.

 

2. To Chance 7(a) under Management from:

The business of the group shall be managed and controlled by a Committee consisting of a Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer and Committee members...

To:

The business of the group shall be managed and controlled by a Committee consisting of a President (who shall act as Chairman whenever such a position is required), Secretary, Treasurer and Committee members...

Reasons:

This is really simple "cosmetic". For various reasons people both within and outside of the Group always assume the Committee is headed by a President and refer to Chairman as President both in spoken and written word. This amendment simply keeps the record straight.

 

3. To replace the word Chairman with President in: Rule 8(a) - three times, Rule 14 - once.

 

FBG COMMITTEE: We are looking for new faces for the committee for next year so if you'd like to get involved and have some say in how YOUR club is run, give us a call and possibly come along to last meeting before the AGM (early in August).

 

FERNLANDS HOT POOLS DAY: This was greatly enjoyed by about 80 people of all ages. About 20 Free Beach members joined host Rotota Sun Club and friends from Bay of Plenty Sun Club, Waikato Outdoor Society and Supporters Group. The day was fine and the weather warm. Children played while others talked and caught up with old friends and sampled the delights from the pool tuck shop. It was a great way to spend 4 hours that seemed to pass all too quickly.

 

WINTER BARBECUE: John and Fran will be hosting a Free Beach barbecue on Saturday 22nd June to celebrate the return of the sun after the winter solstice. There are still some places available if you are interested. Those members who have been to a barbecue here have had an enjoyable time. Please ring Fran on new Phone number 576-5219 if you wish to go. Bring your own meat and a salad or something to share. Time - any time after 4pm.

 

BEACH LISTS: Thanks go to Bill Baine for suggesting a wording change to the beginning of the beach list - see Wellington newsletter. Jackie has informed us that she will be using most of this for future issues.

 

 

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SPECIAL REPORT BY RON AND MAUREEN:

NUDIST PARKS VISITED BY US IN 1990

June 15 - Aug (Their summer)

 

We found all the people very friendly and we were made very welcome. At some of the smaller clubs we were the first NZ visitors to their club. We were invited to join in pot-luck, dinners, wheeney roasts (barbecues), taken out sight-seeing, al so given directions for getting to places we wanted to go.

 

We didn't laze around in the sun very much. We found nudist parks a very good base on the outskirts of the big cities as we were able to drive to where public transport was available, park the car, and travel into cities the cities on public transport. In some places nudist parks were too far away so we stayed either in textile camps or motels. We planned our travels so as to arrive in the big cities on a Sunday.

 

In eight weeks we travelled 9200 miles in a rental car which we picked up and dropped off at Chicago. The (brand new) car cost NZ$3000 for the eight weeks. From Chicago we went into Canada but didn't stay at nudist parks as the weather wasn't quite warm enough.

 

All the clubs had a focal point where everyone met in the evenings, usually a large recreation hall also sauna, spa pools (these were in continual use in the evenings). They nearly all have tennis courts (as good as Stanley St.) volleyball, badminton, indoor games shuffle-board, horseshoes. Some have their own restaurants. Most have swimming pools with a six foot fence around for safety reasons. Most have offices equipped with souvenirs, books and miscellaneous items. In general we found the clubs that are privately owned were of a higher standard than the ones group owned.

 

PHOENIX NATURIST RESORT (NEW YORK STATE): 20 Miles from Saratoga Springs. 208 acres, 20 rooms for rent, camping and caravans. In winter this club is used for cross country skiing, bunny rabbits can be seen hopping around if you walk quietly. Easy to locate.

 

SOLAIR RECREATION LEAGUE (SOUTHBRIDGE): Almost on the border of Connecticut and Massachusetts - about 1 hour drive to Boston. 350 wooded acres. We were able to do a day trip to Mystic seaport (the biggest marine museum in the USA).

 

PINE TREE ASSOCIATION (MARYLAND): 35 miles from Washington D.C., 6 miles from Annapolis. 96 Acres. This place was very hard to find.

 

WHITE TAIL PARK (IVOR, VIRGINIA): About 1 hour drive to the historical Williamsburg, Jamestown, Basch gardens, Virginia beach. 47 acres. Very easy to find.

 

WHISPERING PINES (NORTH CAROLINA): 17 miles North of South Carolina. 28 acres.

 

CYPRESS COVE (FLORIDA): 260 acres (2000 members) and lots of visitors. There are luxurious hotel villas, some single rooms (cost $85.00 per night). We stayed in our tent for a week as this was so central for visiting Disney world and all the other attractions in Florida. Cypress Cove is more like a village with all its streets named, an armed guard on the gate 24 hours a day, a shop that sells more than most corner dairies - this was the only nudist resort to have a bar which was part of the huge restaurant. Many people have permanent accommodation and others stay for six months and head north for the summer as they can't stand the heat in Florida.

 

SUNBURST RESORT (MILTON, NORTH WEST FLORIDA): 20 acre park. Although we only stayed one night we found the people were very friendly. Easy to find. A motel on the grounds cost US$30.00.

 

LA PINES BEACH (SLIDDELL, LOUISIANA): 45 miles from New Orleans. 10 acres with 4 rental units, tent and trailer sites. The people were like one big happy family - they made us very welcome.

 

GYMNO-VITA PARK (PELL CITY, ALABAMA): 70 acres. This cam is only open at weekends to non-members. The people in this camp were exceptionally friendly and hospitable. We found this club the most difficult one to leave. It is a privately owned camp and the owner is in charge of the Alabama Zoo. 0n Saturday evening he gave a most interesting talk on spiders, even bringing along some specimens. We were told that he regularly gives a talk on animal and bird life. (Talks last about 1 hour).

 

FERN HILL CLUB (SOUTHERN INDIANA): 7 miles from Bloomington. 74 acres. We were invited to a pot-luck dinner the night we arrived, they even said grace before their meal. One of their main activities is golf cart derbies. Easy to find.

 

LAKE 0' THE WOOD CLUB (VALPARAISO NORTHERN INDIANA): 1 hour from Chicago. 200 acres. These grounds have a lake right through the middle, there are walking tracks through the grounds but a vehicle wanting to get to the other side has to go out the gate and drive in the back entrance. They all cooked together in the big kitchen and shared meals and had a sing song in the evenings.

 

We would recommend any of these nudist parks to anyone planning a similar trip. If anyone is interested in visiting any of these Places in the near future we would he happy to provide any further information you may require. We have a book published by the A.A.A. which has all the parks throughout America plus free beaches. Also, we have the names and addresses of some of the people we have met in the different places.

RON and MAUREEN

 

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FREE BEACHES AND THE BEACH LIST

 

Our beach list has become quite a comprehensive guide to the beaches of New Zealand, and I wonder if we appear to be grabbing every bit of unfrequented coastline and proclaiming it a 'free beach'. Between Waikanae and Wanganui almost every beach is listed, all jostling for space on the map. The list has developed into a catalogue of 'places you can go', rather than a short list of popular free beaches.

 

Our Rules say 'to identify suitable localities for nude swimming and sunbathing and to inform members and others genuinely interested of these'. Thus a 'beach' may be an ocean beach, the shore of a harbour or lake, or a shingle spit on the bend of a river.

 

In the early days FBG sought out remote or isolated places, but nudity on beaches is more accepted now than it used to be, and going to these places is likely to give the wrong impression. Hiding away on grotty beaches hardly promotes the message that nudity is okay and enjoyable. In any case, those who are happy to walk long distances, or over rough ground, can find hundreds of places for a quiet sunbathe, and it isn't practical to list all of them.

 

First and foremost we want places where we can relax without clothing, and not be hassled or make other people uncomfortable. Generally we prefer beaches which are not overlooked by houses or roads, although Breaker Bay and Taylor's Mistake, both traditionally used by nudists, have always been visible from the road and overlooked by houses.

 

If the aim of the Free Beach Group is to promote and safeguard nude bathing on the beaches of New Zealand, then we need to go to beaches where nudity is accepted, and where the promotional aspect is likely to be effective. Nice, accessible beaches, with us out there relaxing in the sun. After all, our best advertisement is our own bare bodies on the beach.

 

The 1991 Beach List includes updated information on South Island beaches, plus a number of new places in the North Island. It incorporates many suggestions offered by members, and I thank you for these. Your ideas are always welcome. Copies of the new book are available from Jim at $3.50 each. New members get their first copy free.

 

 

 

 

 

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	P.O. BOX 41-171 ST. LUKES AUCKLAND 3
	WELLINGTON  NEWSLETTER

May & June 1991

 

 

 

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	P.O. BOX 41-171 ST. LUKES AUCKLAND 3
	ASSOCIATE MEMBER OF THE NEW ZEALAND NUDIST FEDERATION INC. Christchurch Newsletter   MAY/JUNE 1991