The prospect of bathing in moonlight dressed in the bathing suit they were born in attracted about 60 first-time nudists to South Brighton Beach.

The Canterbury branch of Free Beaches holds a Skinny Dipping Down a Moonbeam event every year to celebrate the international day without bathing suits.

Many people at the event on Saturday night were first-time skinny-dippers, said organiser Beatrice, who did not want her last name used because it was part of naturist culture to use only first names to avoid prejudice.

"They really enjoyed themselves and they said they would come back next year."

It was easier for first-timers to try it in the evening, she said.

"It's a bit dark and people don't look. You have to do it once and then you will do it again.

"You are born naked so there's nothing to be ashamed of."

Participants' ages ranged from teenagers to people in their 70s, she said.

- © Fairfax NZ News

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