Naturists bare their interest
It was a cold day and club members were wearing clothes, which is unusual when you realise they are naturists.
The South Canterbury Sun Club members meet every second weekend of the month, sit around naked and socialise.
They bring their own caravans to sleep in, staying on the former Tripp Settlement School grounds. There’s a pool, tennis court, a couple of cabins, lounge/kitchen and ablution blocks.
The members, all over 50, would only offer their first names as they do not want to be ridiculed by people who do not understand their desire to be close to nature.
Potential new members undergo a trial period and then have to apply to join. They may get police checked and could get turned down even if they have no convictions if the existing members don’t feel comfortable with them.
‘‘Ballet is pathetic to me but it’s what some people want to do,’’ she says in defence of the club.
She became a naturist through her husband and it took a few years before she felt at ease
undressed in front of other people. He liked wandering around their garden in the buff and it progressed from there.
‘‘Men don’t have any trouble getting their kit off compared to women,’’ Chris says.
Ross explains how being nude is like skinny dipping for the first time and then never wanting to wear togs again.
‘‘We don’t judge on appearances; everyone is the same here.’’
There is a no swimwear rule in the pool but those rules are bent if young people feel uncomfortable.
Heather says they all have the commonality of naturism and her life is a lot richer for meeting such people.