GTA Tripping: Hanlan's Point Beach
If you're in the market for penis watching, there's no better place than Toronto Island's Hanlan's Point Beach. Given that I am a hetero-identifying (and sometimes -defending, owing to my neat appearance and pretentious parlance) male adult, the penises on my recent trip there were merely marvels, like picking up a rock in the forest and seeing something wacky crawling underneath.
And boy, were they wacky (not that I was looking, really!). Long-ball Larrys, a few tubby micro-types (why is it always the overweight dudes doubly cursed with the micro penises?), and one or two stallion-like bros flaunting kielbasa numbers that shamed my pants back on. My friends, however, had no shame, as you can see from this week's lead photo. And that's really what Hanlan's is all about: no shame, freedom from society's conventions and perhaps freedom from your own.
Standing nude in the middle of the city didn't feel so much like I was free from my conventions, but more like I was displaced from them - my conventions in a refugee camp, alone and shivering in far off lands. I am rather used to standing around, getting a tan, chatting with my friends and cracking jokes about genitalia. This is what I do. Here the activities were the same, but just slanted a little, like being on drugs. Or waking up in someone else's body, Freaky Friday-style, and going about your day as normally as possible. Or waking up in someone else's body and then taking drugs: Freakier Friday.
I only lasted a few minutes in the buff unfortunately. Several converging forces put me off. First there was the odd kielbasa-dong, as I mentioned. Then there was the requisite lingering loner, a perhaps-interested dude hanging around us a little too long and doing the double-, triple-, quadruple-take. This kind of behaviour might make ye average homosexual feel uncomfortable, and so vag-fan me was squirming, chanting silently, "no-homo, no-homo!"
The last straw that sent me back to Prudeland was noticing that, for some reason, most of the people sitting near us were fully clothed, and then there was us, an island of white blazing nakedness among them. This was when we realized that we were standing well outside the designated clothing-optional area. Here we were, congratulating ourselves for being naturists, when really we were a pair of streakers and a flasher.
Other rules of etiquette (which are available in the form of printed pamphlets offered by the Hanlan's Beach Naturists) we broke included: a) no taking hilarious set-up photos where the CN Tower looks like it's your member and b) no feeling uncomfortable.
Everyone else on the beach was well in accordance with the rules, and seemed like poster-people for the naturist cause. It was ninety-nine percent men, of course, most of whom were older and all of whom seemed remarkably in their element, despite, you know, being naked in public.
The beach itself was really impressive, well groomed, and offering a number of exotic games. Most of these consisted of wooden and metal object and occasionally balls tethered to poles. They were all European in origin and made no sense to me whatsoever, which is fitting as the nudist thing pretty much falls into that category for me as well: weird and European.
Being socially awkward even in a snowsuit, I couldn't bring myself to interview anyone on the day. Luckily, while sitting at Ronnie's in Kensington Market a couple days after the trip to the beach, I met a woman who described herself as a regular. More than a regular, even. She said that Hanlan's Point beach is what keeps her in Toronto, and that she values it above all else in this city. I joked that she was probably the only woman in town to say that, but she said that there are many women and families that go there. I asked if she'd ever had any problems or drama there. She said that mostly not, but complained that sometimes she's accosted by single men, and has had to leave once because of it.
As the sun was setting on Hanlan's and we re-clothed, my friends listed the items they'd bring with them next time: a cooler of beer; much, much more sun screen; mirrored sunglasses. I, on the other hand, was just glad the experience was over and I could go back to my regular life of not knowing, but always imagining, what every person that walks past looks like naked.
Photos by the author.
Comments (47)
Was there any doubt that Hanlan's Point was any different from that nude beach scene in Eurotrip? I don't think so.
I tip my hat at thee fine sir. You definitely have more cajones than you say/think... and thank you for including a pretty girl in your photos... the female form is definitely more visually pleasing to the eye.
This is, to my mind, the funniest one of these you have written yet. Keep 'em rolling off the presses that are your finer tips and frontal lobe. I for one, and for the record, was totally in my element.
This is one of my all-time fave blogTO posts. Well done, sir.
Oh, fun fact of the day: the reason why a lot of fat men tend to have microphalluses? (Microphalli?) Sure, some of 'em are born that way, but when they're quite overweight, the gravity and heft of their massive gut actually yanks back on the internal bits of the wang, pulling the peen back into the body a little bit.
That's why when fat folks lose weight, there's the bonus of a bigger dong. Win-win!
D'oh! Right, I definitely didn't see anyone toting Schmidt boxes and small wicker cages last weekend. Fixed! :)
I agree, GREAT POST! I haven't been to Hanlan's yet but have always wanted to go... now if I can just convince my bf to drop the trunks...
And in regards to fat well with small endowments... perhaps the societal fascination with large penises causes them to feel inadequate, and thus they don't tend to stay in shape/maintain a healthy physique?
I'd think that those with small endowments would work twice as hard to have a rockin' body to make up for any muffled-giggle-inducing size below-the-belt.
You may not be able to enlarge the dick, but you can shrink the gut!
Either way, it's what you do with it that counts.
i wonder what the policy is on accidental erections... can you get kicked off the beach for having an involuntary physical reaction?
though to solve this one need only glance in the wrong direction to be in direct line of sight with some cottage-cheese man ass.
Just roll over on to your stomach. However, if you insist on flaunting your "accidental" erection, someone will call the police.
Regarding flaunting--Maybe not encouraged right on the beach, but when I first moved to Toronto and some friends and I were checking out Hanlan's, our eyes were accosted with a very large semi-erect penis wandering the wooded* area just outside the beach, attached to a man who we assumed was perhaps cruising.
*I couldn't think of a better word, okay!
I don't necessarily disagree, but one has to wonder how this causes one to perceive sexual arousal. usually arousal is noted by a person's behaviour, movements, etc. if said 'woodsman' were acting exactly the way he were when you saw him, minus erection you would likely not bat an eye(unless he was walking around with his mouth ajar and tongue out), seeing as it's a component of nude acceptance where your physical appearance doesn't matter... unless you've got a boner.
we men DO occasionally pitch a tent when we don't mean to, in as much a way we sometimes don't when we want to - both are embarrassing, yes - it seems just a bit hypocritical if acceptance of the naked form in all its flawed beauty within a *civil* environment turns into a call for cops because a dude walking along with his dick pointing at the sun is an automatic pervert without necessarily behaving in a perverted manner.
I often teach kayak surfing clinics and that beach is very good. The only problem is that we surf right up to the beach unless you keep you head down. I always tell the stdents that whenthings start to come in focus, turn around and head back out to see.
Thanks for the humorous article and pics from Hanlan's Beach. Too bad you got intimidated by the nervous textiles checking out the beach. We seem to be loosing ground as more people come to check the beach and keep their clothes on. Hey, you have to start somewhere I suppose. Lately, most people at the north end were nude, in keeping with the desire of 93% (2 surveys) of north end beach users who support a Nudist-Only area at the north end, adjacent to the Lifeguard station (red chair). In this area I set up the Games Ground a year ago August to bring a taste of the nudist resort life to the beach. Petanque (France) is well known at resorts, but the other two European games are not. Kubb is very popular in Sweden and sets are web available where team competitions are held. The Swing Ball Hungarian game uses bowling ball style pins and is like reverse bowling. You swing the suspended ball behind the pins and knock them down, if you can, when the ball returns toward you. All games are adult and family friendly. Great fun! A second volleyball court is now set up in the Nudist-Only area. The Nudist-Only area is unofficial of course and will happen only with the co-operation of north end beach users. The concept is that it should be easier to be comfortable nude in a nude only area. The clothing optional concept was created by city council lawyers, but the intent is to give people the option to 'feel the freedom' of going sans clothes, not to be used as an excuse to keep your clothes on!!
Erections are a rare event. I have been going to this beach over 20 times a year for the past 10 years. Doesn't happen. At least no one is flaunting it, they are smart enough to be civilized about any such displays and don't. You have a towel, sand, water or thoughts of your mother to control these things. The only ones I have seen or heard about were aways preceeded by masturbation. I repeat, very rare. As for calling the police, I would if the guy was older and old enough to know better. The younger ones just have to be told the police have been called. It may be natural, but rude to flaunt it. Totally unacceptable in any naturist environment. These people are abusers, abusing the beach users, abusing the concept of civilized behavior, abusing the councillors who gave us this gift of a clothing-optional beach.
Thanks Dave for the response. I was looking for the opinion of a seasoned vet so this is perfect. Granted, unintentional arousal is an odd thing to worry about seeing as it's the only thing I had concern over, and comforting to know there is what seems to be an elevated maturity level permeating the beach, for the most part.
Censoring the photos ruins them, defeats the point of the story and the beach, infantilizes readers, and is an immature and dishonest move all around. It doesn't matter who's responsible for it.
"She said that mostly not, but complained that sometimes she's accosted by single men, and has had to leave once because of it"
Tell us about it, see the hollabackToronto for a full pictorial
http://hollabackto.blogspot.com/2009/06/update-on-nude-beach-nuisance.html
"Censorship was at the request of the models."
Since that's unlikely, I'll start by not believing it.
No, really. They're my friends and they didn't want their bits on the internet, perhaps like the families pictured on your website. But I do see your point about it being against the ethos of the whole thing ... but on that very same point, isn't wearing a hat, like the Tilley hat (the "Official Hat of the Canadian Federation of Naturists") against the code also?
1. The few photos on the FCN site (in the sample articles from its magazine) don't censor anything. By exception, the covers of the magazines don't show genitals (marketing/newsstand reasons) but they may show women's breasts.
2. The Tilley thing is a bit funny, isn't it! But if hats as protection against the sun aren't proper in naturism, then we'd best get rid of shoes to navigate rocky areas, and perhaps watches and wedding rings.
Maybe you'll go back for a followup article and get photos of people who aren't afraid of being on the site in that way. I'd include myself, of course, in such a group. And there'd be many others.
Editor's note: blogTO doesn't usually run photos with nudity because when we do, we get complaints from people who view our site from work. Censoring their bits and pieces is at the request of the subjects and the readership, and doesn't take away from this piece, IMO.
I've been going to Hanlan's since I moved to TO five years ago. It's one of my favourite summer spots in the city. Checking out other naked guys is one of the draws for me and others, certainly. But it's amazing how non-erotic it all gets after a while. Oh look, another penis ... big whoop.
It's true that occasionally some people get the wrong idea about the place, usually Americans and idiot gawkers who have never been there before (not you, Christopher Reynolds) and think it's just one big sexual playground.
I was once aggressively hit on by a tourist from Ohio. After checking me out repeatedly he sat down next to me and started playing with himself. I had to explain that this wasn't a bathhouse and that he should stop. We actually ended up having a nice conversation. He told me how much he appreciated Toronto's openness and felt freer here than he did at home. So that was nice to hear.
What really annoys me are the clothed gawkers who come to the clothing-optional side of the beach just to stare and giggle. Get naked or get out.
I also hate the creeps who hide in the bushes and take pictures. Some people have to make everything dirty.
"Get naked or get out."
This is one bit of unspoken etiquette that I really find interesting/awesome. Just as I felt weird being nude outside the bounds of the clothing-optional area, people would/should feel weird clothed around all the nudity. Go with the flow, right?
I really appreciate the comments from the real deal. Thanks Tripper and thanks Paul Rapoport for stopping by (and also for tolerating my tourism). Cheers!
I'm a straight guy who wants to go there with his girlfriend for the sun and the beach: i.e. not cruising. But it sounds like the usual thing with N. Americans and nudity. Most people are cool, but a large minority have to infantilise it with the most crude titillation. Were I there alone, I wouldn't care if I were hit-on in a way that was inoffensive - I'd be flattered by either gender, though I know who I'd remember who I am going home to. But cruising nude is too close to sexual harassment, so it isn't something I'd do.
I've been to nude mixed hot springs in Japan. No big deal. The Japanese have their own cultural issues with sexuality, but nudity isn't one of them. Never been a problem, and yes, people do look at the size of foreigners, but don't leer.
Basically, N. Americans are not cool enough for me to go to a nude beach here.
This area, nor any other area, will EVER become a nude only section.
Just because you did a survey of 20 people and, even at that, a few didn't agree, you call that 93%?? And then you put an unauthorized sign up saying that section IS nude only (misleading any new people) ?
It's optional!! Laws force people to wear clothes on other beaches and now you want to force people NOT to wear clothes in certain areas? Crazy and it's not going to happen.
Let's face it, 60% of the beach is gay, and as a straight person,if I am with a woman who wants to go topless only, we are forced into a small pocket between the gay area and your area?.not going to happen ..never will.
This will never become like a regular nudist resort or naturalist environment, it is too close to the city and too many gay people use it regularly. So you can stop bringing out the toys for the children(creepy!!), stop telling people that the area you are in is nude only and stop bothering people.
To correct the assumption about the surveys, I did two surveys, one included 30 people and the second had 34 people. You only need 20 people as a minimum to draw statistical conclusions, so we are well above the 20. Secondly, the question about a nude-only section was identical for each survey and there were no repeats of votes to my knowledge. Results in both surveys were very similar, combined, the result was 93% for all 64 people. That means we are on solid ground for asking people to respect the wishes of 93% of the north end users to create an unofficial, non enforced, nudist-only area starting at the wheelchair boardwalk entrance to the north end snow fence CO boarder. It's up to the north end beach users to create a mostly nudist only area. It's not up to me.
Remember it was not the nudists who make the beach clothing-optional, it was city hall lawyers to did that. Even if the beach was designated 'nudist beach', it would still end up being clothing-optional. Right now, there is a lot of people wearing bottoms. Why? Because they are intimidated by so many clothed people? Perhaps. It seems the people in the survey are saying that it would be lot easier to be nude when surrounded by nude people instead of clothed people. Lets try to help people 'feel the freedom' by creating a more nudist friendly environment. So it's up to everyone to make that happen, and I realize it may take 2-3 years. If you or others object, I have proved you are in the tiny minority. I don't enforce anything, just make people aware of the survey results. It's up to them to act accordingly and respect the opinion of those who contributed to the survey.
God bless, Dave
As for the kids toy box, I have nothing to do with the kids. The box is made available to the parents and they are the ones I talk to.
The Games Ground games are also free to use by beach users and I welcome the opportunity to do quick demos of these games from Europe. They are all fun and meant to bring a bit of the resort life to the beach.
A note to the list owner, be aware of people who use this list to harass others. Please take appropriate action.
Thanks, Dave Fleming
Hi, just checking, are people still able to go to the islands during the worker's strike. I understand that the ferries are cancelled, but there are several tour boat agencies that used to drop people on the islands and later pick them up. Not sure if they can do that now. Thanks in advance for replies.
It's truly sad when the weather is nice for the beach, people can't go there. I hope the strike ends soon.
The beach needs more ladies. Its pretty big, just have to find a spot away from everyone. Your BF may not want to drop the trunks because of all the other guys. I went once mtself, got nude, not many people were there, but still would have been better in the company of a female.
I've been told there can be up to 100 on the weekend day if nice enough. The water taxi is available at the foot of York St and Queens Quay. $10 each way. Post an update if this info is not correct.
Just a reminder, that the beach is peaceful and tranquil. Very little happens there.
Most women don't even know about the beach, so tell them about it!
But don't be trying to pickup women at the beach who are there for some R & R (rest and relaxation).
For women who do go to the beach, find a spot and don't give eye contact if you don't want to talk.
Firstly, to Christopher, thanks for writing about Hanlan's and for taking the time to share your experiences. As a regular beach-goer, I found your views quite funny and really enjoyed reading about your day in the sun! As for the black-out of body parts in the photos, I find it to be completely appropriate for a website of this nature, and to show nudity on a website where children of all ages have access to it might be taken by parents or web watchdogs as wrong, or at the very least, unnecessary. Your photos were taken as a way of displaying what your viewpoint was while you were there, so for those who complained about your black-outs, they clearly just don't get it. This is a blog people! Get over it.
As a woman who has been going to this beach for six years now, I can attest to the fact that my desire to be there has absolutely nothing to do with sex, nor do I want to go check out the various penis sizes of the men there! (Although, I must admit from time to time I have spotted a nice one!) So, why do I - a married woman - go to Hanlan's Beach??? Because it feels as though I have escaped the crazy city, if just for a few hours, and have transported myself into another area of the world...and all it took was a 7 minute ferry ride to get there. I like to go topless, as I like the look of my breasts when they are brown, and I don't like tan lines on my shoulders when wearing a halter top or sleeveless shirt. I do NOT take my bikini bottoms off, as I don't really want to burn my white ass, and most importantly, my husband absolutely LOVES tan lines on my butt! So, because this beach is clearly listed as "Clothing Optional", I have opted to go topless. If I were to go to any other beach in the city, I do have a legal right to go topless. However, being that many families and children, tweens, and teens will also be at those beaches, I feel it is a bit inappropriate for me to be topless, as some might be offended or some might be slightly uncomfortable. Because I do have the option of going to a beach where mostly adults will be there, and where clothing is an option, I find it more suitable for my purposes to be topless there, as opposed to any other local beach. If someone were to try to insist that my freedom of choice be taken away, and that if I wanted to be on the beach I had to be naked - completely naked - I would no longer visit that beach. The entire spirit of Hanlan's would be stripped away, as it was designed to give those people who want to get away from the city and spend time in the sun and on the sand, the legal right and ability and opportunity to wear whatever amount of clothing they so desire. Going to Hanlan's gives me the feeling of being free....and the freedom of choice is what makes it all the more special, thus taking away that freedom is taking away the true spirit of Hanlan's. To those who show up fully dressed simply to gawk and stare and giggle....oh well. That's their problem, not mine. If they are uncomfortable with nudity, they too have the freedom to go to whatever beach they want, and to wear whatever clothing they want to wear. They also have the freedom to choose to not go to a beach at all!
For those who condemn us, or those who assume that a clothing optional beach is filled with people who walk around with erections or who are openly engaging in sexual acts, it is simply a sign of how narrow minded they are! Nudity does NOT equal sex. Some people are so uncomfortable with their own bodies, or even have sexual hang-ups, and therefore they feel threatened by a beach of this sort. It is their fear that makes them speak out against it....fear that someone will discover just how screwed up they are inside, or even worse...that they have some hidden homosexual desires! So, instead of allowing others to have the freedom to enjoy it, they try to condemn it or to put an end to it altogether.
As for the gay community who are frequent visitors to Hanlan's, all I can say is thank God for them!!! And, thank the Lord above that one gay man was able to speak up and be heard, and managed to get the approval for a clothing optional beach in Toronto. Kyle Ray, a City Councillor, was tired of hearing about people being issued tickets at Cherry Beach for public displays of nudity. Many that received a fine were gay men, and Mr. Ray decided to speak up and change the law. It was this man who managed to get an entire group of politicians and community leaders and the general public all to agree to the need for a designated area, where anyone could choose to wear clothing or not wear clothing, without fear of being harassed, ticketed, or even worse, arrested. So, for anyone to make comments (I'm speaking to you Dave Fleming) about the clothing optional beach being designated as such by these so-called "City Hall Lawyers", I think you are a bit backwards on your views of what it truly means. It was a gay man, a gay politician, a City Councillor, who fought the fight for the rest of us, and was able to get Hanlan's designated as a legal clothing optional beach. There were no lawyers trying to stand in his way and block him from turning it into a "Nude Only" beach. Most of the people who choose to go to a clothing optional beach do so because they want to sunbathe nude, or semi nude. To indicate that any other scenario exists is just an absurdity, conjured up in the mind of one very strange man, with rather strange nudist fascinations. Take a look at your wardrobe, Dave....when you are wearing clothes, they all have printing on them about being naked! Your obsession is weird, and to put it bluntly...DUDE, you're creeping me out!!!
Dave, you really need to wake up. Your fascination and obsession with nudity goes a bit to the extreme. Your "Unbiased Poll" was in no way a real representation of the views that exist amongst Hanlan's Beach goers, and in particular, those of us who use the North End of the beach. I have been at this beach for six years now, and I always sit at the North end. Why was I not asked to take your survey??? OH WAIT>>>> I know why!!! It was because I wear bikini bottoms, and therefore did not fit in with what you were trying to achieve! How about my other friends there? I know about 35 people who frequent the beach, some wear clothes and some don't wear anything. They were never asked to take your poll, either! A biased poll, taken by a freaky old man, does NOT accurately reflect the views of the people. You asked YOUR FRIENDS. You asked people who were 100% NUDE, as you felt that your odds would be improved by doing so.
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Here is the real truth, Dave......NOBODY CARES!!! Except for you and your creepy friends. Most of us go to the beach to escape the noise of the city, and to simply enjoy the day, free from judgement, free from troubles, and mostly just free to be ourselves. The very LAST thing any of us needs is a man to stir up trouble, post illegal signs, and take photos of people without their permission, and post them on a display board located next to the Hot Dog cart near the entrance to the ferry docks, in front of the hotel! Why do you go to such extremes? What is it about freedom of choice that upsets you so very much?????
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If people actually wanted to attend a Nudist Resort, they would GO TO ONE! There are quite a few located within an hour of the city in all directions. The island is not now, nor will it ever be, a Nudist resort! !
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To those who are not aware of who this man is, Mr. Dave Fleming is a man who usually arrives ALONE to the beach. He approaches people on the ferry, especially women with children, and starts up a conversation about....you guessed it.....nudity and his games for the kids. Dave USED TO come to the beach with his good buddy...unfortunately, THAT GUY was arrested for having sex with minor children, and for possession of child pornography, and is a known PEDOPHILE! So, DAVE....how do you explain your association to a known Pedophile? And why was it that two summers ago, you stood at the entrance to the beach and handed out your Nudist magazines, which included multitudes of photos of children playing volleyball and swimming and playing all sorts of games while attending a nudist resort with their parents? The back pages of that magazine contained advertisements for videos of Nudist resorts, however each picture used to represent a snapshot of the video's content all contained nude photos of children. Clearly, your intent to convert the North end to being exclusively for nude only is simply a way for you to get women and children near you, fully nude, for your sick enjoyment.
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One of the first things I was told, by a number of people during my first two summers there was to AVOID DAVE FLEMING AT ALL COSTS! Because of his known association with Pedophiles, people warn others there to just stay away from him. CREEPY, CREEPY, CREEPY....that is about the only word in the dictionary that comes to mind when I think of Dave Fleming. And, as for what the guy Robert had to say on here...HE IS 100% correct!!! I agree with everything he had to say, and he is correct in the fact that the beach will never, ever, ever be designated as NUDE ONLY. So, get over it! If I ever, ever, ever see you post your NUDE ONLY sign again, I will call the Police and have you arrested for illegal posting of signs, and for illegally photographing naked children. Got it, Creepy Man???
I have only learned about Hanlans Beach just recently and finally got there beginning of Aug 09 and have been enjoying MY FREEDOM at least once a week.TYVM to Kyle Rea for his efforts & TYVM to all who attend the beach in the buff.I am very comfortable there and look forward to next season
Please let me know of how I go about joining the Federation of Canadian Naturists? Tyvm for any info feedback
Interesting article.
I think you will find that during the full season the users of the beach eb and flow. During the heart of the summer season many more women, and families tend to go to Hanlan's.
I have been going to Hanlan's beach for over 6 years now and I have noticed how popular it has become and how it's improved.
This year I noticed how many more young people are coming to experience the beach. Young men and women! It's great to have an influx of new nudists.
On weekends it is very "textile". A lot of people tend to keep swim suits on. This is sort of sad really because it changes the vibe of the beach.
Fot those who go nude it makes us feel like we are somewhat on display for the non-nude types.
Also on weekends you tend to get more gawkers. Some with cameras.
I can't tell you the number of times I have told people " no you cannot take photos without express permission ".
I mean they show up to take photos of nude people? Do they not get that is rude?
The other issue is the whole sexual aspect.
It would be a lie if I said nothing happens sexually on the beach or around the beach.
Basically it is about respect of place and knowing what is crossing the line.
Having sex on the beach during the day is not something that is acceptable to the majority. Nor is cruising the woods for sex.
I would just say it's about using common sense. Don't do that sort of thing if it offends people.
If you want to engage in that activity just be respectful of those who don't wish to see it.
The bottom line is nudity should not be something that brings about shame. It's a wonderful feeling to be nude outdoors in the sunshine..with friends or on your own.
Hanlan's is an escape from the dirt and noise and chaos of the city.
We are lucky to have it.
:)
I was wondering,does anybody wear thongs at the beach? I would feel alot more comfortable at first if I wore a thong my first time so I could get used to the atomashpere.
(Just got this email... someone responding to the last comment)
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TO: Goldie RE: Your question about thongs....
Yes, there are people who wear thongs there. There are people who wear one piece bathing suits, two piece bathing suits, just the bottoms of a bikini, in all sorts of different styles and sizes, including thongs, and there are people who wear nothing. The atmosphere itself is pretty non-threatening, although I noticed that Dave posted here, stating that women needed to make sure not to make eye contact with people if they didn't want to be "hit on"......that statement of his is absolutely, positively ABSURD!!! I have been going to Hanlan's for many, many years now. I have developed friendships over the years with other couples, with single guys, single girls, and with some gay and lesbian couples or singles as well. I have NEVER felt like I needed to keep my eyes looking downward for fear of being hit on! Are there some creeps there who like to walk around and check out the women?? Of course there are. Are there gay men who walk around and check out other men. Yup! Are there females who go around looking for a guy to hit on? Mostly NO! But, for the most part, those creepy people are the exception and NOT the rule. Most of the women and couples who go to the beach there are like myself.....I like to have no tan lines on my chest, as I think that strapless tops or dresses in the summertime look crappy when there are tan lines on the shoulder or on the chest area. I like the feeling of being on the island, away from the city, with no restrictions, no traffic, no clothing, no judgmental people, just the warm sun and the freedom to sit there and soak up the sun with as little clothing or as much clothing as I decide I want to wear! It feels like a complete removal of yourself away from the city, as if you have landed on an island somewhere while on vacation. What I choose to wear or what you choose to wear is nobody's business but your own, and nobody will ever say anything about it to you!
So, basically, the atmosphere at Hanlan's is perfectly fine, comfortable, friendly, non-judgmental, non-sexual, and you are left alone if you want to be left alone.....or, people are friendly and willing to speak to you if you are also friendly with them....the only exception to this rule is Dave, who suggests that we women should keep our eyes looking downward in order to prevent being hit on!! If you are there and have a thong on, Dave will probably avoid you, since you don't fit in with his "Nude Only" ideas, and he can't ask you to fill out his survey about turning the end of the beach into a Naturist Camp, where you HAVE to be nude. He only asks people to take his supposed non biased survey who are already nude, and with a thong on, you would ruin his survey percentages!!! And, having the creepiest guy on the beach NOT want to talk to you is a really, really good thing! Other than him, I have only met really great people, and have a fabulous time when I am there.....and wearing whatever it is that I feel like wearing that day. The truth is, Nobody cares if you have a thong or a bikini bottom or a one piece or a top on...because the whole idea behind it is exactly what it says on the signs: "Clothing OPTIONAL".....it doesn't say NUDE ONLY!!! So, feel free to do and wear whatever you choose!
I started wearing thongs at the beach this year...Always at Hanlans Point...it is great because no one bothers you. There are actually quite a few men and women who wear thong swimwear there. I like tanning in my thong swimwear.
I dont understand why people are so annoyed by clothed people or even gawkers. It's not a bad thing if you have a family or a group of friends sitting nearby (clothed), enjoying the beach, looking around and yes, possibly even giggling at you! They have broken no laws.
I have seen very conservative looking families (overly dressed for the beach) who still come out to see what the fuss is about. They come with smiles on their faces and actually are truly curious. To me that spells a much more open mind than the folks here who'd rather see the place turned into a nude-only beach. The 'gawkers' will go home and tell other friends and family that they went to a 'nudie beach' and survived.. they or their friends may one day live to go again and who knows, maybe their children will grow up thinking clothing-optional is no big deal.
I am not wholly naive.. i understand how this does 'kill the vibe' of the clothing optional beach but who cares... it's all in your head.. let it go.. and just go about your own business and enjoy your stay at the beach.
at hanlan's just wear or don't wear what you want..that is the whole point...to relax and have a good time...and if someone is sporting wood, that is not armageddon...in fact it might even be amusing...there are a few guys who walk up and down each year, showing off their stuff..no one gets harmed..
I wish that it was spring again & warm out there!I love the "Beach" and am a frequent visitor both ends of the beach!Remember that the human body is a work of art to be enjoyed by all who want to be enjoyed!Your preferences make no difference to me as I am completely BI and enjoy all thatis afforded to me when possible! My tanning is aluxury which I enjoy to the utmost and enjoy the comments on my lovely tan all winter long!My body is certainly NOT the most exciting but IT is mine to do with whatever I choose so enjoy your visits and I will enjoy mine!
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