Anyone who has been to a nude beach on a sunny summer weekend can attest to the popularity of clothing-optional (CO) recreation. In fact, a 2000 Roper Poll revealed that fully four out of five Americans today support nude sunbathing at places accepted for that purpose. Additionally, half of the people polled felt that special and secluded areas should be set aside for people who enjoy nude sunbathing. And the poll also showed that one of every four adults in the United States has skinny-dipped or sunbathed nude in a mixed-gender social setting. That's 51 million Americans...not counting the numbers of youth that have enjoyed the same experience.
Clothing-Optional recreation is nothing new, as evidenced by this ancient
Being nude is not illegal; in fact there is no federal law prohibiting nudity. However, there are state and local laws and ordinances that can affect one's right to be nude under certain circumstances. Most of these laws are centered on infractions such as creating a disturbance or disorderly conduct, rather than nudity itself. For instance, you would most likely be stopped for walking naked down a busy street in downtown Portland. But being nude in itself is not a crime unless it is done with the intent of causing sexual arousal. (This is something to keep in mind for those unenlightened folk that feel nude beaches are open game for sex; you can be nude all you want, but the minute you perform any sexually-oriented act, you can be arrested.)
Although the focus of ORCOBA is the preservation and welfare of Sauvie Island and Rooster Rock, we felt a page needed to be devoted to the concept of clothing-optional recreation in general. There are a couple of reasons for this. First, there are a lot of people that have heard about nude beaches, and are interested in experiencing them, but aren't sure what to expect or how to act, and we hope to make them feel more comfortable about naturism and help them realize they are not alone in their interests. Another reason for this particular page is the fact that there are many people that seek out nudist venues for the wrong reasons, thinking they are simply places for naked people to get together and do whatever they feel like. The ideas behind naturism are completely lost on them.
Officially-designated clothing-optional beaches are a rare commodity. And we are extremely fortunate to have two of them to choose from in the Portland area. To carelessly let them be taken away would be a travesty. The biggest threat to our beaches is to tolerate the thoughtless actions of those that use the beach for sexual gratification. That not only drives away countless numbers of would-be nudists that would otherwise enjoy the beach for the right reasons, it also gives fuel to those that want to close the beaches down.
Clothing-optional (CO) recreation is about freedom, body acceptance and rejecting the unhealthy notion of shame. It's about being one's self.
The concept of naturism is summed up quite well in this excerpt from an article by Fred Foldvary:
"Naturism is the philosophy of living in harmony with nature. This includes an affinity and respect for wildlife and the natural environment, an attempt to live a healthy lifestyle with natural foods, and the acceptance of the human body as naturally good and wholesome, hence a rejection of the culture of lust and shame regarding the nude human body. The latter belief by itself is, of course, nudism, the belief that there is nothing wrong with not wearing clothing, and a lifestyle that includes nudity."
It's not about sexual gratification, voyeurism or exhibitionism. Those activities merely exploit nudism, and people that partake in these activities in a nudist setting are not nudists or naturists. The power of the internet has been a major contributor to the "skin = sex" philosophy that has malignantly spread through our culture. Do a search for online nudist groups, for example, and you will likely find that three-quarters of them are porn sites, or promote a sexual focus in their group. And more disturbing yet, the word "nudist" has been commonly used, even by the media, to refer to adult-oriented activities such as exotic dancing establishments.
Some may ask, "why can't social nudism be a sexual thing?" Well, there are several reasons:
It's illegal to do so. As mentioned elsewhere, public nudism is not a crime, but public sexual activity is.
Social nudism is meant for all ages, children included. Sexual activity in a setting where children have a right to be is not acceptable.
Social nudism was established long-ago as a non-sexual, body-positive lifestyle. READ MORE The recent trends involving sexual activities in settings intended for social nudism is simply an abuse of the resources intended for nude recreation.
One thing that should be kept in mind by those that go to the nude beach for sexual reasons...their activities become everyone's business, since they are in a public place.
It is doubtful that you'll find very many nudists that are opposed to, or are offended by human sexuality. In fact, nudists, by virtue of their open-minded, well-grounded, accepting philosophy, embrace human sexuality as much as anyone else. They just respect the fact that sex doesn't belong in the social nudist setting. Naturists commonly have an even healthier attitude toward sexuality, since they are more comfortable with themselves and their bodies. Naturists can enjoy sexual interaction with their partner without feeling self-conscious about their nudity.
The attitude that nudity implies sexuality is the biggest misconception that nudists have to fight. As a result, you may find some of them to be overly sensitive to the issue. Nudity is not synonymous with sex, and understanding that distinction separates real nudists from those that only exploit nudism.
Children are born nudists, and have an intrinsically healthy attitude toward the unclothed human body. Children raised in a nudist environment learn and accept that boys and girls, men and women, are all shaped differently, and have different parts. This is normal to them, and therefore they don't develop an overwhelming curiosity over naked bodies...it's just no big deal to see naked kids or adults of the opposite sex. They also develop acceptance of their own bodies and a respect for others' - in short, there is nothing to be ashamed of, so why cover it up when you don't have to? And statistically, children from a nudist environment have a much lower rate of teenage pregnancy, suicide, eating disorders and other signs of low self-esteem.
Naturism is founded on family participation. Children in naturist families learn to appreciate the body as part of their natural environment. They grow up with healthful attitudes and accept the physical nature of both sexes and all ages without fear or shame.
Any true naturist venue, event or organization welcomes children and families. And the beach is a perfect example. Of course, it is up to parents to decide whether nudism is an appropriate environment for their children. But those that choose to include their children in their visits to a nude beach invariably find their children developing a healthy attitude toward the human body, both their own and others'.
This principle emphasizes the importance of protecting and maintaining our clothing-optional beaches as safe environments for children and adults alike, and doing what we can to fight the tendencies of those that can't respect the principles of non-sexual nudism.
Please check our Reading Room page for additional related articles.
Your first time
Everybody takes this step sooner or later. If you haven't already, don't sweat it. You'll probably be planning your next trip before you leave the beach after your first visit. But here are some basics to keep in mind, regardless of which beach you choose for your first visit.
As far as stuff to bring along, the standard beach items are a good start (although you may need more sunscreen than you might otherwise use on a clothed beach!). It's a good idea to bring enough food and water or beverages with you to sustain yourself and anyone you might bring along. You'll want a large beach towel or blanket. Unless you are planning other errands that day, it's best to leave large amounts of money at home. Vehicle break-ins are uncommon, but why give any potential vandals any more than you have to? And taking money out onto the beach with you won't serve any purpose. For the most part, your belongings will be safe at your spot on the beach should you decide to go for a stroll. You'll find that nudists watch out for each other, and if you're recognized and accepted as a fellow nudist, your stuff will be safe. It doesn't hurt to ask someone at a neighboring spot on the beach if they would mind watching your things while you go for a walk; that's also a great way to start making new friends and becoming part of the beach network.
Generally, the same common-sense guidelines for behaviour apply in the naturist world as in the clothed world. Be polite and respect the rights of others. A good reference resource is the BEACH ETIQUETTE GUIDE.
Gawkers...and lurkers...and pervs...oh my!
Okay, there can be an occasional down side to public, clothing-optional beaches...the well-known fella commonly called the "gawker". Gawkers are to nude beaches what moths are to a porch light. Fortunately, they are just about as harmless - merely an annoyance more than anything else. They are known by several euphemisms, "bushwackers" being one of the more popular, endearing terms. They all basically describe the same person...that lone, creepy guy that stays back among the margins of vegetation bordering the beach, peering out at the view, apparently thinking he's being inconspicuous. For the most part, they stay to themselves, and naturists have come to tolerate their existence since they aren't really breaking any laws by just being there. The more brazen ones may actually follow single women around the beach, maintaining what they think is a discreet distance. And then you have the occasional desperate soul out there that resorts to gratifying himself physically...usually trying to remain hidden, but occasionally being open about it - as if he thinks he's turning everyone on by his performance.
Rarely does such an individual pose a real, physical threat to anyone, but nevertheless they can spoil a wonderful, relaxing day at the beach if we let them. So, since they are the intruders, it's best to ruin their day instead. That's easily done, by any of several means. "Newbies", first-timers and women are the most likely to be made to feel uncomfortable by the "undesirables", and are the focus of the suggestions and tips presented here:
Find a spot near other naturists, rather than an isolated distance away. Gawkers often avoid populated sections of beach, since it increases their chances of being detected, and possibly approached. The last thing they want is to be identified and confronted.
If you know someone is focusing their attention on you, ignoring them often spoils their fun, since some of them get a thrill out of getting a reaction of any sort. If they persist, staring back at them every so often will sometimes scare them off, since they don't like to be identified. Or you can pick up and move to a spot that makes it more difficult for them.
Make a point of carrying a whistle with you, perhaps on a lanyard around your neck. You may never need to use it, but the sound of a whistle on the beach will bring instant help to you location. And if a gawker even sees someone with a whistle to begin with, he'll think twice about doing anything to upset them.
Many members of this group identify themselves with a yellow flag as a way to be recognized by other members. (These flags will soon be available with the ORCOBA logo). Anyone with a yellow flag on the beach should be considered a "safe spot", and someone you can approach for help for any reason. Don't hesitate to call upon them, even for something as simple as a place to sit down for a few minutes, if you ever feel uncomfortable or threatened. For more information about the ORCOBA yellow flag program, click here.
Being nude is not illegal; in fact there is no federal law prohibiting nudity. However, there are state and local laws and ordinances that can affect one's right to be nude under certain circumstances. Most of these laws are centered on infractions such as creating a disturbance or disorderly conduct, rather than nudity itself. For instance, you would most likely be stopped for walking naked down a busy street in downtown Portland. But being nude in itself is not a crime unless it is done with the intent of causing sexual arousal. (This is something to keep in mind for those unenlightened folk that feel nude beaches are open game for sex; you can be nude all you want, but the minute you perform any sexually-oriented act, you can be arrested.) 
Nudism, families and children 
