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.

  • khannie@lemmy.world
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    4 months ago

    Fully agree though as a broad rule but there’s an age of innocence that needs respecting IMO. I got told by an older boy I knew when I was just 8 and honestly that was not great. My own barometer is that if you still believe in Santa we’ll have the talk later.

    Funny story - Our eldest had some broad strokes when we sat him down but thought from the playground stories that you used a condom if you wanted to get pregnant. I was very glad to clear that little misconception up.

    • threelonmusketeers@sh.itjust.works
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      4 months ago

      got told by an older boy I knew when I was just 8 and honestly that was not great

      Yeah, that’s probably not the best way to find out.

      there’s an age of innocence that needs respecting IMO

      I’m not sure I necessarily agree. I had books like Visual Dictionary of the Human Body within reach since I was a toddler, so I don’t recall the ideas of “sex” or “where babies come from” ever being a big deal or a shocking revelation.

      if you still believe in Santa

      Funnily enough, I don’t think I ever believed in Santa either, so I guess your barometer checks out :)

      • khannie@lemmy.world
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        4 months ago

        Funnily enough, I don’t think I ever believed in Santa either, so I guess your barometer checks out :)

        Yeah, fair enough. I suppose that’s unusual in the West if that’s where you’re from.

        I mean it depends on your background a bit. I don’t think kids who grow up on a farm have any doubt.

        • girlfreddy@lemmy.caOP
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          4 months ago

          My rule of thumb is if the kid can ask a cogent question (just not the Why? or How come? ones) then they deserve an honest answer.