Get back to nature club seeks new members

ID 132309/JOHN HAWKINS

ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY: Southern Naturally president Bevan getting back to nature at the club's open day yesterday.

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A Southland group threw open its doors and and its members dropped their drawers for the first of two open days yesterday

Southland's only naturist club, Southern Naturally, based near Otautau, is hoping to attract new members to bolster its numbers to help make ends meet.

Club president Bevan said membership had shrunk to 12 and it was becoming difficult to meet all the costs needed to keep the club running.

"Ideally we would like about six more people to join, but we'll see what happens."

Increased rates and electricity bills were beginning to take their toll, he said.

"Everything is going up."

Yesterday, four people visited the club and Bevan said all would be welcome for day two, today.

People of all shapes and sizes could come and "be who they were and as they were".

About 30 percent of the club's members were female and Bevan said it was important to even up the scale.

"We'd like it to be as even as possible because I'd imagine it could be a little intimidating if there was just a crowd of guys here, but I don't know - I'm not a woman."

He said being a naturist wasn't only a feeling of freedom without clothing, there were health benefits, too.

"It's great for vitamin D and it's good for both men and women in other more detailed ways."

Bevan said he understood it was a more unusual pastime, but that should not get in the way. "It's about respecting your body and respecting who you are," he said.

Day two of the open day will be held at the clubhouse on the corner of Guise and Aparima roads, otherwise the club can be contacted by writing to it at PO Box 5049, Invercargill.

- © Fairfax NZ News