The Earth has been through a few ‘cenes’. This one has been called the ‘Anthropocene’.
I would suggest that this section of it be called the ‘Hypocricene’. Hypocrisy to be seen everywhere; in our faces 24/7.
In a period where empires are crumbling, economies and climates are collapsing and hyper-sexualisation and clickbait are normalised in nearly all advertising, we are concerning our minds with nakedness on beaches, although it has been common in several European countries for yonks.
This attitude to nudity may be a well-intentioned attempt to prevent sexual attacks on women and girls but may be more harmful in its results.
I was born naked, as were you. My first impression was food from a nipple and warmth and love from a breast, yet, today on the net, the second-most obscene part of a woman is a nipple.
Like many men, I am an admirer of feminine beauty. I sculpt a little. I attended a couple of decades of life drawing. I am aware of the dynamics of observation. When they are scantily and provocatively clothed, we are always trying to see behind the veil. When naked, we see the whole person. Totally different.
I was born naked and spend most of my time naked (weather permitting). I have no reason to join a club or go to a beach. I am seriously offended if anyone considers my body, or parts of it, offensive, obscene or dangerous to the wellbeing of anyone.
While walking naked on the street may be considered to be a traffic hazard, this does not apply on the beach. If we are considering the dangers of people being molested at remote or unpatrolled beaches, the remedy is simple… make a section of Main Beach clothes-optional. It normalises nudity. Beach walkers who were likely to be offended could take a detour on the street to avoid embarrassment.
We are exacerbating a problem rather than solving it. Instead of hiding in the dunes, the perves would stick out like dogs’ balls.
For the religious; suggesting that God made a mistake in creating us without clothes is blasphemy in the extreme.
Who knows? It may have a beneficial impact on the tourist industry.
In the meantime, Council’s strangely named ‘Animal Enforcement’ crew seem to be M.I.A. – herding cats perhaps?
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
