As the main naturist beach at Brighton is near to a built-up area and is between two "textile" beaches, it's inevitable that there will be a number of clothed passers-by. These are not the problem. The fact that the beach is so easily accessible should make it one of the best-used naturist beaches in the UK.
Also, I've read a lot of stories about gay sexual activity on the beach - I've never seen this, so it's unlikely to be as wide-spread as people suggest, and this isn't the problem of Brighton beach.
One of the problems that Brighton has is the number of clothed voyeurs, who walk up and down the beach looking for naked women, and when they see one, they sit a few yards away from them and just blatantly stare. It's the same few blokes who do it each time I've been there and it must be very off-putting for the women, and probably prevents the beach having a better male-female split. Ideally it should be 50-50, but it's actually about 90-10 at best.
Secondly, there's a few men who do go nude, but who indulge in anti-social behaviour, such as staring at women and masturbating whilst doing so or, as I've seen on one occasion, sitting at the top of the mound with legs spread apart presumably to draw attention to themselves from anyone walking along the path behind the beach.
So how can the beach be made better? Well obviously public nudity in itself is not illegal. However open masturbation is illegal, trying to draw attention to one's genitals is illegal, starring at someone isn't illegal, but could draw some sort of warning if a complaint were to be made to the police (for harassment?).
All it could take is a police presence on just one day to scare off the pervs, with the threat of arrest for their behaviour. Could it be worth contacting Sussex police about the real problems? - it may bring bad publicity for the beach in the short term, but it's something which could improve the beach's image and could improve the beach's user-base long term.
Cheers
Boris
Boris of London (But not THE Boris of London!)
Yet again highlighting some of the problems with the UK attitudes and the way society, well, just is really.
There is nudity all over the place in the media, on TV etc. so it beggars belief that some people, (always male? and somehow seedy), feel they need to behave in the fashion described.
The difficulty about making Brighton, along with all beaches where nudity can be practiced, better is probably only going to happen with a change of underlying culture. This falls in line with the drinking problem. Alcohol is cheap abroad, but they don't have the same problems we do here.
So, how does one change the underlying culture. Frankly, I don't know. Boris suggests police action on the perpetrators of the offences and, whilst I largely agree with this, I do feel that the same police and justice officials would have their own prejudices towards the naturists which would water down any gains.
Until the majority separate nudity and sex, we are really onto a loser. On this subject, I noticed Heat magazine whilst at Sainsbury's yesterday has Katie Price on the cover photographed topless on a beach. The headline read 'Jordan X rated beach snaps!'.......very helpful.
Teo Torriate Kana Mama Iko
We've been here before and discussed a million options; from Wardens, to membership, to closing it alltogether!
I still believe the biggest issue is that if somebody is made to feel uncomfortable or sees it happening should open their mouth and say so to the perpetrator.
Problem is..... we are all to bloody British for that!
As for gay stuff I've seen nothing more than kisses and a little touchy-feely that if seen with a straight couple would be ignored. In fact I see more on textile beaches (am I looking? lol).
Play nice...... Play Naked!
I cannot speak from experience, as I have only been to Brighton beach once and that was in its early years.
However, I would agree that the only way the pests are going to disappear is when there is a corresponding change in society as a whole.
In the meantime, the only effective thing you can do is to talk to them in the sort of friendly way which can make them feel uncomfortable. I can't think of a suitable set of words for this, but the equivalent is the "Can I help you?" which we used if an unknown person strayed into restricted areas of the factory.
As for calling in the police, I am against that for a completely different reason:
I believe we have already given them more than enough to do and far too much paperwork to go with it. We should all be thinking "how can we reduce our burden on the police" rather than calling them in for additional tasks.
JOhn
Do not do unto others as you would that they should do unto you. Their tastes may not be the same.
George Bernard Shaw, Maxims for Revolutionaries
No Authorities!!!!!!!
Has to be that way! If it becomes 'big' news it will be easier for them to close Brighton and/or enforce other beaches to make those that believe what they read in newspapers happy!
Play nice...... Play Naked!
I do agree that the attitudes of society would need to change to make Brighton beach a lot better.
It was interesting though going to Brighton on a very hot Sunday a few weeks ago, when the beach was packed, so much so that the resident clothed voyeurs were just lost amongst the hordes of nude people, that there was a much better atmosphere at the beach. Similarly, the nude voyeurs who usually just sit a few yards away from nude women and stare over, despite there being lots of room elsewhere for them, evidently had no need to do what they usually do, which again helped create a better atmosphere.
It actually felt like a "proper" naturist beach, with a good mix of people, mostly all nude.
It's the same clothed voyeurs who wander up and down the beach, and when it isn't as crowded, they do stand out and must make women feel very uncomfortable. Why these blokes (especially the two main ones who I think have been there every day I've been there this summer) can't just stay at home and just type "naked women" into google instead, I don't know - it seems that's all they are at the beach for, and it wouldn't involve walking around on a hot day, fully clothed on a stony beach!
Cheers
Boris
Boris of London (But not THE Boris of London!)
It was interesting though going to Brighton on a very hot Sunday a few weeks ago, when the beach was packed, so much so that the resident clothed voyeurs were just lost amongst the hordes of nude people, that there was a much better atmosphere at the beach. Similarly, the nude voyeurs who usually just sit a few yards away from nude women and stare over, despite there being lots of room elsewhere for them, evidently had no need to do what they usually do, which again helped create a better atmosphere.
It actually felt like a "proper" naturist beach, with a good mix of people, mostly all nude.
Cheers
Boris
I've only been to Brighton a couple of times, both when the beach was relatively busy. I agree with the your point that a large number of people effectively drowns out any dodgy goings on. On those two visits I would have been quite happy taking anyone along so long as they were happy with naturism.
John
We had a couplke of nice days last week and I was close to Brighton and, not wanting to waste the last of the summer sun, went down to touch up my all over tan.
Whilst there there were two chaps who set up just below a woman and stared right at her (well right at ther groin) and after 10 minutes of this blatent (sickening) behaviour she stood up and shouted at them! Brilliant!
She said something like.
"If I wanted to be looked at like that I'd go for a smear test!"
One chap wandered off looking a tad red the other turned away and left 5 mins later to find another 'victim'.
Had to chuckle and good on her.... about time someone said something rather than leaving. Anybody else see it?
Tony (2)
Play nice...... Play Naked!