Sharing the good news about nudes

When the nation's parks and recreation executives staged their convention in Tampa recently, trade show booths were staffed by more than people peddling tennis nets, teeter-totters and tether balls.

"This is the ninth year we went to lobby for more clothing-optional beaches and explain how to manage them," says Carolyn Hawkins, spokeswoman for the American Association for Nude Recreation. "We're not giving up."

At the Tampa convention the trade group, based in Kissimee, passed out its entire supply of 2,000 lapel pins and 500 guide books to the 244 nudist campgrounds, resorts and clubs in North America.

Nude sunbathing groups have been fighting an uphill battle for public space in Florida. But in recent years they won clothing-optional designations for parts of Haulover Beach in Miami-Dade County and Cape Canaveral National Seashore in Volusia County. An attempt to secure one in an isolated part of Fort DeSoto Park in Pinellas County was turned down last year.

Pro-nude groups have found allies in the tourist industry, which caters to European vacationers who frequently expect to do some sunbathing in the altogether.

Hawkins' group is armed with surveys. According to International Communications Research, 19 percent of Americans surveyed have skinny-dipped in mixed company, and 18 percent would consider visiting a clothing-optional beach. The survey also found 44 percent agreed more public areas should be designated for people looking for nude recreation.

"Our problems have been with the politicians, not the parks and recreation professionals," said Erich Schuttauf, director of trade group.

He applauded voters in a Vermont town who last week defeated a referendum seeking to end years of skinny-dipping at a local lake. Hawkins was unhappy, however, to hear that Daytona Beach officials are debating whether to require that thong bikini wearers keep at least one third of their posterior covered except on the beach.

"Oh, brother," she said.

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