BlueBoy
09-06-2005, 08:27 AM
Hi All,
I have been reading and enjoying all of the posts. This is my first time posting and I thought that I would share what I found in a local newspaper today ( a fairly conservative one too) Anyway here goes.
More Maritimers going to nude beaches, campgrounds
By Kevin Bissett
Canadian Press
The Maritimes are known for chilly nights and foggy mornings but, despite
the goose bumps, the region is becoming a popular destination for nudists.
Secluded beaches and a number of new, nude-only resorts make the area an
ideal place for naturists to doff their duds on a summer day.
"The basic, fundamental reason people want to be naturists is because it
feels great," said Stephane Deschenes, president of the Federation of
Canadian Naturists.
"Most Canadians have gone skinny-dipping at some point, generally in the
dark, maybe by themselves, and they'll report that it really feels great and
they really enjoyed it."
Jim Woycke, author of the book Au Naturel: The History of Nudism in Canada,
says naturism appeals to those looking for a simpler life.
"There's a lifestyle kind of appeal to naturism that looks away from hectic
vacation activities to something that is more relaxing, is not terribly
expensive, and feels good, especially on a hot day."
Mr. Woycke, a professor of history at the University of Western Ontario,
says naturism got its start in Europe in the 19th century when people would
discard their tight, constrictive clothing and participate in sun and
fresh-air therapy for their health.
"People got sick of the diets and exercise and the rules and regulations,
but they appreciated the freedom of being out in the open and they found
they lost all the fashion-conscious hang-ups when nobody was wearing any
fashion," said Mr. Woycke.
"There came to be a social liberation that people liked, and that became the
dominate characteristic of naturism."
While many parts of Canada have large naturist clubs and officially nude
beaches, Mr. Deschane says people from Atlantic Canada have been
underserviced.
"We did a survey in 1999, and that survey indicated that there are about
three million Canadians have a naturist mentality, and if you go a little
further to naturist leanings, you get up to six million people," he said.
"I believe the growth in naturism in the Maritimes is because of more places
opening up."
A couple in Cavendish, P.E.I., is taking advantage of the growing market.
Gary and Linda Lowther opened the Oasis Resort in 2003, and this year,
expanded with a 12-site nudist campground.
"So far this year, we've had visitors from across Canada, the eastern U.S.
and Europe," said Gary Lowther.
"Weather is the biggest factor. It is very important in any business, but
even more here."
The campground is like any other, with serviced sites, a pool and volleyball
nets.
The only distinctive feature is the fence to keep peekers out.
"Our visitors here are as varied as anywhere else . . . There's young, old,
middle-class, upper-class," said Mr. Lowther.
He said the suites are set up for couples, while the campground attracts
more families.
Some of the visitors are first-timers to nudism, while most have been to
other resorts or beaches on holidays in the southern U.S. or Europe.
Mr. Lowther said most of the newcomers are from Nova Scotia and New
Brunswick.
Nova Scotia has the Bluenose Naturist Club and the popular Crystal Crescent
Beach near Halifax, which is frequented by sun worshippers.
In fact, Halifax was home to the first recorded naturist in the region.
Mr. Woycke said there are stories about a band leader in the 1940s who would
take his all-girl orchestra out to an island off Halifax harbour on the
weekends to traipse around in the buff.
He said New Brunswick had a nudist club near Hartland, called the Maritans,
in the 1940s and '50s that attracted military personnel.
A small nudist campground is now operated near there.
Mr. Lowther said he expects there will be other operations like his through
the region as it gains acceptance.
"It was a little unique for here, but hey, everything changes, everything
goes ahead," he said.
Walter Wyand, spokesman for the Cavendish area Tourist Association, said the
Oasis and the nude campground have been very discreet.
He said many people in the Cavendish area would be hard-pressed to find it.
"It just seems to be a part of the community that has obviously fitted in,"
said Mr. Wyand.
"It has had no impact from a public point of view, but I'm sure that people
who stay there are having an economic impact."
It's an impact Stephane Deschenes says governments in the region should
build on.
"I think government should be setting aside beaches for nude recreation
because it is good for tourism, and according to our survey it's what
Canadians want, but have no place to go."
I have been reading and enjoying all of the posts. This is my first time posting and I thought that I would share what I found in a local newspaper today ( a fairly conservative one too) Anyway here goes.
More Maritimers going to nude beaches, campgrounds
By Kevin Bissett
Canadian Press
The Maritimes are known for chilly nights and foggy mornings but, despite
the goose bumps, the region is becoming a popular destination for nudists.
Secluded beaches and a number of new, nude-only resorts make the area an
ideal place for naturists to doff their duds on a summer day.
"The basic, fundamental reason people want to be naturists is because it
feels great," said Stephane Deschenes, president of the Federation of
Canadian Naturists.
"Most Canadians have gone skinny-dipping at some point, generally in the
dark, maybe by themselves, and they'll report that it really feels great and
they really enjoyed it."
Jim Woycke, author of the book Au Naturel: The History of Nudism in Canada,
says naturism appeals to those looking for a simpler life.
"There's a lifestyle kind of appeal to naturism that looks away from hectic
vacation activities to something that is more relaxing, is not terribly
expensive, and feels good, especially on a hot day."
Mr. Woycke, a professor of history at the University of Western Ontario,
says naturism got its start in Europe in the 19th century when people would
discard their tight, constrictive clothing and participate in sun and
fresh-air therapy for their health.
"People got sick of the diets and exercise and the rules and regulations,
but they appreciated the freedom of being out in the open and they found
they lost all the fashion-conscious hang-ups when nobody was wearing any
fashion," said Mr. Woycke.
"There came to be a social liberation that people liked, and that became the
dominate characteristic of naturism."
While many parts of Canada have large naturist clubs and officially nude
beaches, Mr. Deschane says people from Atlantic Canada have been
underserviced.
"We did a survey in 1999, and that survey indicated that there are about
three million Canadians have a naturist mentality, and if you go a little
further to naturist leanings, you get up to six million people," he said.
"I believe the growth in naturism in the Maritimes is because of more places
opening up."
A couple in Cavendish, P.E.I., is taking advantage of the growing market.
Gary and Linda Lowther opened the Oasis Resort in 2003, and this year,
expanded with a 12-site nudist campground.
"So far this year, we've had visitors from across Canada, the eastern U.S.
and Europe," said Gary Lowther.
"Weather is the biggest factor. It is very important in any business, but
even more here."
The campground is like any other, with serviced sites, a pool and volleyball
nets.
The only distinctive feature is the fence to keep peekers out.
"Our visitors here are as varied as anywhere else . . . There's young, old,
middle-class, upper-class," said Mr. Lowther.
He said the suites are set up for couples, while the campground attracts
more families.
Some of the visitors are first-timers to nudism, while most have been to
other resorts or beaches on holidays in the southern U.S. or Europe.
Mr. Lowther said most of the newcomers are from Nova Scotia and New
Brunswick.
Nova Scotia has the Bluenose Naturist Club and the popular Crystal Crescent
Beach near Halifax, which is frequented by sun worshippers.
In fact, Halifax was home to the first recorded naturist in the region.
Mr. Woycke said there are stories about a band leader in the 1940s who would
take his all-girl orchestra out to an island off Halifax harbour on the
weekends to traipse around in the buff.
He said New Brunswick had a nudist club near Hartland, called the Maritans,
in the 1940s and '50s that attracted military personnel.
A small nudist campground is now operated near there.
Mr. Lowther said he expects there will be other operations like his through
the region as it gains acceptance.
"It was a little unique for here, but hey, everything changes, everything
goes ahead," he said.
Walter Wyand, spokesman for the Cavendish area Tourist Association, said the
Oasis and the nude campground have been very discreet.
He said many people in the Cavendish area would be hard-pressed to find it.
"It just seems to be a part of the community that has obviously fitted in,"
said Mr. Wyand.
"It has had no impact from a public point of view, but I'm sure that people
who stay there are having an economic impact."
It's an impact Stephane Deschenes says governments in the region should
build on.
"I think government should be setting aside beaches for nude recreation
because it is good for tourism, and according to our survey it's what
Canadians want, but have no place to go."