Should Canada have more official clothing-optional beaches?

Greg Fung floats in the water while taking part in a world record skinny-dip attempt at Wreck Beach in July, 2010. (Darryl Dyckn/The Canadian Press)Metro Vancouver's "clothing-optional" Wreck Beach has seen its usual influx of beach bums this season, but nudists in neighbouring areas are finding it harder to sunbathe in the buff.

Don Pitcairn, president of Surrey's United Naturists, said the signs to at least one popular spot, the Crescent Rock Beach in Surrey B.C., have been painted over.

That location had become "the de facto Wreck Beach for the Fraser Valley," he noted.

"When it comes to nude beaches, there's a lot of politics involved," Pitcairn told the Vancouver
Sun.

"There are a few people adamantly opposed to anything going on there, regardless of how isolated or how far you have to go to get there."

Advocates stress that nude is not synonymous with lewd, and is mostly non-sexual.

Gawking, insulting or photographing others is seen as a breach of nude etiquette.

"The idea is to let people sample what it's like to get out of their clothes in public and experience the sun as nature intended," said Judy Williams, spokeswoman for the Federation of Canadian Naturists.

Hanlan's Point in Toronto, like Wreck Beach, is another clothing-optional beach with official sanction, but many popular spots are unauthorized.

Some bold bathers congregate in the most remote area of Nova Scotia's Crystal Crescent Beach or on part of the shores by Québec's Oka Park.

Have you ever been to a clothing-optional beach? If so, have you shed all your layers?



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