King's Court
Kevin King


You don't have to go away to get a better look at problems within your own area, but sometimes 
it does help.
A recent trip to Vancouver and the world famous Wreck Beach shed some light on how simple it 
would he to bring to a close to the ongoing debate over the overexposed issue at Beaconia Beach,
 and on what makes most 'naturalists' want to bare all beneath the sunny skies.
The highlights of Wreck Beach are easy to see. Its location right off the University of 
Brittish Columbia campus makes it a natural drop in - and take off - spot for students, locals, 
and tourists alike. A signifigant drop in altitude from the street to sand is a reasonable 
deterrent to overcurious onlookers, while ample sinage revealing the beach is clothing 
optional means there can be no surprises.
Though lacking some of Wreck Beach's finer, and not so fine, points such as the saltwater of 
the Pacific Ocean and it's abundance of ships of all sizes, and merchants peddling pizza, pop, 
and beer in the buff, there's no reason Beaconia couldn't be a miniature version of the same.
Most respectful naturalists, you'd have to assume, would agree to a designated area of the 
beach in which they could bare all before the Lady of the Lake. After all,they've been 
populating areas of Beaconia for as much as two decades with only periodic problems. This 
would take care of the odd nudist who strays a little too far or belives he or she should 
share their gifts with all. Adequate signage, given thatthe inhabited area is a healthy hike 
down the beach through a rocky streach, would prevent the odd family from seeing more sites 
than they're interested in.
Assuming both sides can be reasonable, and why shouldn't we, it's a problem that could police 
itself with a minimum of governance, a favorite approach in St Clements, who are apparently 
considering that option since being approached by Sue Denorer about passing a bylaw banning 
nudes.
It was Denorer's complaint that brought RCMP attention after she, her partner, and her 
7-year old daughter had a close encounter of the naked kind in July. Grand Marais RCMP were 
forced to act, and have since been taking names of unclothed parties while waiting for direction 
from the Crown attorney's office. While public nudity is illegal under the Criminal Code, 
permission must be granted for charges to be laid.
It seems a simpler solution could be easily found with a litle communication and a minimum 
of effort.
And while the arguement of Denorer and others is perfectly valid, whether you agree with it 
or not, it's curious to note their biggest defence of going on the offensive is to protect 
their children from what they consider an offensive display.
While it's certainlty true some people simply wear nothing better than others (and with this 
being a wekly and thus ther being a greater chance you're eating while reading this, I'll 
spare you details on my own state of dress on the coast), it's difficult to see anything 
particularly offensive about being in the buff, sepecially for children's eyes.
Remenber, they learn what we teach through both actions and words. A harsh reaction to 
encountering a birthday suit on the beach could serve to deliver or reinforce a message 
that our bodies are something to be ashamed of, and not simply something to feel completely 
comfortable and confident with, even if you would like to loose a few pounds or add a few 
inches.
The majority of those, given that in every group there are those who give the rest a bad name, 
who do like to sunbthe nude are neither exhibitionists or voyuers.
There is nothing overtly sexual about being naked on the beach. The person is not baring all 
for the gratification of anyone other than thenselves. And though the odd pair of eyes may 
wander (strictly to check if others were looking in my case, of course), the human body is 
much easier to admire in a non-sexual manner when it is viewed in a completley natural state.
It's the skimpy cover that does everything but expose all that adds a sexual element, an 
element of teasing and tantalizing and the possibility that he or she may be interested 
enough to expose the rest to you and you only in privacy, which brings about the attention 
and the attention seekers.
One of the most blessed aspects of Manitoba is that we have an abundance of beautiful lakes 
and beaches to make up for the lack of topographical variety. As such, a simple solution 
that would allow each to their own could easily be found.

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