It’s a Tuesday morning, the infinite blue sky of Byron Bay has opened up and the six naturists – four men, two women – have stripped down to their birthday suits for a quick dip in the buff.

This section of beach – an 800-metre stretch along the vast coastline – forms the only legal clothing-optional beach in the shire. Among those taking advantage of the opportunity to be out in the open is Duncan James, vice-president of Northern Rivers Naturists, who is something of an evangelist for “embracing the beach as Mother Nature intended.”

“Many of the beach users have described the clothing-optional beach as their happy place, a place where they can disconnect from modern day stresses, a place they can feel at one with nature,” he says.

There is, however, a metaphorical cloud on the horizon. On Sunday, Tyagarah is set to be stripped of its status as an official clothing-optional beach.

“I guess these values aren’t shared by New South Wales National Parks and Wildlife Service [NPWS], who are hell-bent on closing one of Byron’s last alternative community hubs and experiences,” James says.

  • Hugh_Jeggs@lemm.ee
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    4 months ago

    The Speedos were the French. They do love their budgie-smugglers for some reason

    • targetx@programming.dev
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      4 months ago

      It used to be required at a lot of camping pools because the longer shorts would take too much water out of the pool… nowadays it’s not often required anymore in my experience.

      • Hugh_Jeggs@lemm.ee
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        4 months ago

        It’s still required at pools because the downhill (VTT) bikers will wear board shorts, get covered in mud then try to just walk into swimming pools with them

        • Obi@sopuli.xyz
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          4 months ago

          I also remember being told it’s because they’re more hygienic (less pubic hair escaping). Always hated them though and would avoid places that enforced that.