The Naturist Beach Tribe

Our diversity helps build our community

One of the many things people wonder about before their first trip to a nude beach is, what is the crowd going to be like?  Fair question!

Peter Adderly

I think of the group of people at a nude beach as a tribe, a community. It’s different than a textile beach. Now, I’m not a beach snob here. I love the beach, nude or textile.  But the nude beach is something very special to me. A big part of that is the people. 

Nude beach goers are no different than textile beach goers. They are drawn to the beach for different reasons, have different objectives while they are there, have had different experiences, etc…. But the decision to go to a nude beach is a defining characteristic. They have chosen somewhere where they can be their most natural, truest self. They have rejected the idea that nude is wrong, inappropriate, or uniquely sexual. That’s unique. 

I’ll admit, I had some trepidation before my first nude beach trip. Even for someone who had used the terms “nudist” and “naturist” to describe many experiences over the years, the first time you walk nude along the sand, in front of one and all, it can be a fairly surreal moment. So, even the most diehard naturist takes pause, especially the first time. 

Probably my top concern wasn’t about me at all, but about those around me. Would my wife and I be out of place?  Would it have a sexual vibe?  Would it feel safe?  Would I be so out of touch with my fellow beach goers that I’d feel uncomfortable?  In actuality, those people, my fellow beach nudies, ended up not being an issue at all….mostly. In fact, they were one of the best parts. I say that because they taught me a lot about what kind of naturist I am.  Of all the people there, a few stood out. 

The Veterans — Not the military veteran. I’m referring to the nude beach regulars. The people that are there all the time, or pretty regularly at least. The people who have a different status than the rest of us, even though this is public land for use by all, equally. As regulars, you can tell that they have an investment in this nude oasis. Maybe they are “Beach Ambassadors”, formally or informally. It’s their “Cheers” (dating myself there), their haunt, their second home. They care for it and advocate for it. They are kind of like, the beach elders, regardless of age.

I recall on my first nude beach trip, when we arrived at the beach we made our way down the boardwalk, contemplated the landscape, participating in the “what land shall we claim as our own” procedure that faces all beach goers, clothed or otherwise.  I was immediately drawn to 3 figures about 40 yards ahead of us.  It was two men and one woman, probably in their 60s, playing bocce ball....not a tan line in sight.  

I was instantly drawn to these people. Their age was immaterial. They just looked like they had their stuff together. Werent they embarrassed? Were they aware they were naked?  Hadn’t someone explained to them that this isn’t normal, isn’t proper, isn’t appropriate?  Hadn’t they received the “nudity is dirty and wrong” memo?

Apparently they hadn’t. Because rather than the freak, weirdo, flaky monicker others would have placed on them, I instead looked on them with nothing but admiration. I knew I wanted to set up our beach homestead generally near them. Maybe some of their nude confidence and coolness would rub off on me.  I found myself watching them play their game, admiringly, maybe hoping for an invite, but at the same time terrified they might ask. I was too new.....A “cottontail” in nudist circles as indicated by my less than tan backside at the time.   I wasn’t ready to play with the kids that run the playground. But I was glad to be near them, picking up how they celebrated this experience. 

The Preener— I had heard about this guy, not this specific person, but the type. There were actually a few of them, but I’m lumping them into one representative person here. This is the person in the beach who REALLY wants to be noticed. They really want you to see them and note their nudity. They exist on non-nude beaches too, just minus the naked part. But they pick a spot on the beach to maximize their visibility and they pretty much never sit still. They pace back and forth, down to water, back to their towel, that they only sit on for scant minutes before getting up to pace again. In my experience, they are pretty much always men.  I don’t mean that to sound judgey or to paint all with the same brush.  It’s just what I have seen.  It seems like they really want you to see and admire them. 

Part of me can identify with the preener. I mean, who doesn’t want to be noticed and admired?  Well..... the bocce-ball playing veterans don’t. Would they have done anything differently whether or not I was there?  No. That’s the point. They are just some friends who meet at the beach. They happen to like participating in games of ball-tossing skill, au naturel. But the preener?  He is all about the fact that he is nude and that someone might be noticing. “Surely everyone must want to see me” he rationalizes. He hasn’t picked up on the fact that being socially nude, isn’t about the outside. It’s about the inside. 

I surprisingly found that I don’t mind the Preeners. They are just part of the landscape. If strutting around nude and being seen nude, brings them some level of enjoyment, that’s ok with me. In fact, I may even enjoy seeing their “show” of sorts. It’s part of beach people watching, that we all do some of, regardless of the type of beach. He’s not causing a problem in my book. He’s not harassing anyone. He’s just enjoying the experience as best he knows how. That’s ok. We can’t all be bocce ball playing nude cool cats. 

Now, that said, there is a limit to the preening — keep your distance, don’t push it, respect me and my space. If I want to enjoy seeing you nude, I will.  Rest assured, I notice you. I don’t need your assistance or you to go to any great lengths to help me notice you. Just do your thing, I’ll do mine. 

A part of me can identify with the Preener. Even if you've done it 50 times, being nude on a beach is fun and exciting. I get wanting to be up and around, celebrating it. So, I understand the draw. 

The Solos - Walking around a beach nude isn’t for everyone. I get that. I mean....I think it should be. The world would be a better place if non-sexual casual nudity, particularly on beaches, were a more common thing. But I digress...  Some people can end up solo at the nude beach, regardless of their relationship status. 

“The single male” is an oft discussed topic with in the naturist world. The general line of conversation — it’s a fact that there are more male’s who like to get their kit off than women, having an overwhelming preponderance of men can make women new to naturism or trying it for the first time much less likely to do so, those that come to naturism for the wrong reasons (exhibitionist, swinger, looking for a hook up) are pretty much exclusively male and other than the swinger....single. So, the single male nudist has a bit of a label, usually unfairly placed in my opinion. 

Some nudist resorts and clubs even establish policies for the single male — only so many allowed in at a time, must receive additional vetting, etc.... There are arguments on both sides of the coin so I don’t get too spun up about it. Personally however, I don’t think this approach is good for naturism overall. But that’s another topic. 

So, are there a lot of single men? It depends. Yes, there are certainly a few. But a lot? That hasn’t been my experience.  One of the bocce ball guys was there solo. But since he was hanging out with his friends, who could tell?  

I don’t mind the single male whatsoever, so long as their behavior isn’t a problem. Im not describing a long list of do’s and dont’s. I’m talking about standard social etiquette that would exist at any beach — give people space, don’t stare, don’t hit on people, don’t do “sexual stuff”, etc...  Bottom line, I’m happy to have them there. Sure a balance is great. But I wouldn’t look to exclude a naturist because of their gender and/or if they are there with someone. It’s a nude beach!  Come and enjoy!  

The Beauties — Pretty people exist in life.  Why wouldn’t they show up at a nude beach too? Some people tend to think nude beaches are full of overweight geriatrics. Well, yes, there may be some. But it’s actually a cross section of society. So, there is a little of everything, just like any other beach. 

Now, to me, the most beautiful people on the beach are the veterans, my bocce-ball players. I know...them again?!  Clearly I was quite enamored with them. I may form a fan club. But, to me, they were something to admire. That’s what makes them beautiful. 

On the flip side of the overweight geriatric thought is the fear that the other beach goers will look like Ken and Barbie.  Sure, Ken and Barbie may be there. But so will dozens of other body types — tall, short, skinny, fat, muscular, not so much. Some will have tattoos and piercings. Others won’t. Some will be smooth, some will be hairy. Some breasts will be large, others small. Some will be “perky”, some not so much. Some penises will be circumcised, some not. Some penises will be longer, larger, slightly different shapes.  Some will have scars and birthmarks. Pubic hairstyles may vary.  The list goes on and on. The key — they are all fine, all beautiful, all accepted. It’s for that reason that you may find more non-Ken and Barbie types on a nude beach. Here, they feel loved and accepted. 

Recalling an experience from a recent nude beach trip — A woman who, totally nude other than a cute sun hat, walked up and down the beach looking for shells. She was blissful in her nude experience. Not a Preener but definitely wanting to do this thing and enjoying every second of it. It’s just the vibe she gave off. She even asked her husband to take her picture, which he lovingly obliged. She was a large woman by any standard. But right then and there....I think she felt like the most beautiful woman in the world. I didn’t know her obviously but couldn’t help but be proud of her. 

The Voyeur — I leave this to last since this is the only negative I have ever encountered, but one that I can’t overlook, because they can be out there. Unfortunately, there were a few of them on my first nude beach trip. The guy who stood on the boardwalk just gawking.  The two younger guys, totally clothed, walking though, getting a thrill, grinning ear to ear. The guy looking at my wife and I as he attempted, and failed, to pleasure himself. 

The key is this — They are by far the exception. But admittedly, it’s something you may run into. I simply commit myself to not letting it get to me and ruin my naturist experience. What they do and how they act is a problem with them, not me. I’m not going to empower them to impact my experience. I pick my battles but I’m definitely willing to speak up, as I did with the pleasure seeker. But even then, I was able to be done with it and move on. I realize some cases don’t support that and some people may not be up for a confrontation. God knows no one should have to deal with that. But it’s a matter of prioritizing the positives, confronting the negatives, and being able to move on from the latter, not dwelling on it.

Simply put, nude beaches are amazing. Not just because of the landscape, the freedom, and the energy. But because of who you share it with. Whether bocce ball playing veteran, preener, beauty, or even the voyeur…..there’s enough room for us all, except for the voyeur perhaps. Our diversity coupled with our commitment, makes our tribe strong.