June 18, 2009 Hot Summer Guide » Summer Features

How to be a nudist in Halifax

Nude behaviour: Technically it’s illegal, but a lot of people enjoy swimming and being out in public in their birthday suits.

by Lizzy Hill

Whether you'll admit it or not, you've probably succumbed to the urge to rip your clothes off on a secluded beach---and if you haven't, you're missing out. While many conservative Nova Scotians are terrified of naked bodies, living a clothing-free lifestyle can be managed.

For a handful of Haligonians, skinny-dipping is more than just a late-night-drunken escapade. It's a communal philosophy of living in harmony with nature and each other. The Bluenose Naturist Society has a membership of around 50 people. You'll find them gathered at Crystal Crescent's third beach under a collection of umbrellas, where they slather themselves in sunscreen to enjoy the sun and conversation.

The club's treasurer and secretary (who won't reveal their names because of the illegal status of their favourite pastime), cite freedom, no tan lines, community and a lack of judgment from other naked people as reasons for choosing the "naturist" lifestyle.

"You can't tell if somebody is really rich or really poor," when they're naked, says the treasurer. "You just get to know them."

Club memberships are $20 and help maintain the club's status with the Federation of Canadian Naturists---who help represent club members in legal pickles. It also gets you invited to group barbecues and assists the group in distributing information. The majority of group members are in their 50s and 60s, though they'd like to attract younger members.

"They're not confident enough in themselves yet. In their 20s they're still very body-conscious and think they have to be perfect, whereas we think, 'This is me and I'm happy in my body, lumps and all,'" says the treasurer.

Both women were there when the police showed up at Crystal Crescent and made five arrests back in 2001. They say Crystal Crescent nudists got a bad rep partly because the public walking trails around the beach were a hotspot for homosexual hook-ups.

"There was behaviour taking place on the trails that had nothing to do with the naturist group," says the treasurer.

To keep the group from getting in trouble, the two chase down anyone leaving the beach naked.

"We hand them a beach eti-quette brochure that explains to them that once they're leaving the beach they have to put their clothes on," explains the secretary.

Public nudity can land you a $2,000 fine, up to six months in jail or both, but for first-time offenders, it probably won't. Back in 2001, Nova Scotia's former director of public prosecutions, Martin Herschcorn, set a legal precedent when he chose not to lay charges against five nudists arrested at Crystal Crescent.

"Citizens should not face a criminal conviction for conduct of this type without aggravating factors, such as aggressive exhibitionism, or lewd or indecent acts," announced Herschcorn.

So, the lesson seems to be: If you're caught swimming naked, politely put your clothes back on and you might get off the hook.

There are plenty of other great spots to strip down and swim in Halifax. The Federation of Canadian Naturists recommends Susies Lake, though the treasurer and secretary of the Bluenose Naturist Society cite "too many teenagers and kids" as reasons not to go there.

My friends and I head out there one sunny afternoon and are the only ones. Susies Lake marks the beginning of a chain of lakes in the Birch Cove Wilderness area, so you could easily hike or canoe to an even more remote area. To get to Susies Lake, go to Kent Building Supplies in Bayers Lake and wander around the back parking lot until you find the trail. After about 15 minutes, you'll have left behind the droves of shoppers and brutalist architecture of the shopping centre for an unexpected slice of nudist paradise.

Long Lake (off Saint Margaret's Bay Road), Williams Lake (Purcell's Cove) and Tea Lake (Purcell's Cove) can be fun places to ditch your clothes and are full of secluded rocks and coves. Plus, at Williams Lake you can jump off a big rock and float through the air nude. Just beware of leeches at Long Lake.

Some enjoy skinny-dipping at night at the party locale Chocolate Lake, though I'd suggest you look out for violent teenage hooligans. Naked swimming is also tricky at Big Indian Lake in Prospect, where you may get caught in a fisherman's line. You could try swimming in the buff at Dartmouth's Lake Banook, though you'll risk being interrupted by groups of competitive canoeists. But for some people, risks can be part of the fun.

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There are many private spots in the Annapolis Valley for swimming.Don't have anyone that shares this interest

Posted by venture seeker on December 14, 2009 at 1:04 AM | Report this comment

I'm currently living in Vancouver but originally from Dartmouth NS. I'm heading back east this August a for visit with friends and family. I love going to Wreck Beach (Vancouver's Clothing Optional beach). Today was packed because it was a holiday but I still managed to find a spot to put down my blanket. Lots of age groups hang out at Wreck along with vendors selling food ,clothing and people playing music. It's a beautiful spot. I'm sad to learn that Halifax doesn't have a designated clothing optional beach with such a long coast line you'd think there would be one. I really hope this changes soon. It would make visits home more attractive.

Posted by Eastcoast Lady on August 4, 2009 at 6:07 AM | Report this comment

Re Stabvest
Unfortunatley this is the very narrow minded and sad attitude that we come to expect from people like yourself, with no real knowledge or understanding behind naturism, what it stands for and its benefits. Most people are more than accepting, and when correctly informed with real information, they are not only accepting of the lifestyle, but more often than not choose to participate, whether in private , on the beach or both. As with many lifestyles/ pastimes / hobbies there are always people who will spoil things and what the naturist lifestyle is about by engaging in sexual activities. You will find that true naturist will do all in their power to dis-associate themselves from these people and bring them to book... they are not welcome in our arena! as they would not be in any other!!!!!

Contrary to your reference to nudist colonies... had you taken the opportunity to carry out a modicum of research you would have found that "nudist colonies" do not actually exist!!! FACT.
We do however have clubs and resorts where we can visit, without being subjected to biggoted and ignorantly informed people like yourself. As for prosecution under what law / legislation? Its only and offence if a sexual activity has taken place or where genital exposure gives rise to serious distress. Unless you were going to a place where you knew nudists frequented, are you saying you would intentionally cause distress to yourself???????.

I wonder if you would you have the same attitude if female members of your family were nudists or would you accept their view and be tollerant and understanding?... or is your ranting towards men only? Maybe you should get off your soap box and get down to CC and meet some of these people... you may actually enjoy yourself and find yourself a lot more knowledgeable as a result!!!! ... god forbid!

Posted by andyael on July 28, 2009 at 9:32 AM | Report this comment

hey Stabvest, uptight twats like you need to go visit a REAL nude beach:

http://www.wreckbeach.org/

then stfu and RELAX... it's just skin
look away if you're that bothered by it

Posted by techcafe on July 19, 2009 at 12:20 AM | Report this comment

These people should stay in their nudist colonies and stay clear of decent folk. If they strip off in public, they should be prosecuted and the DPP should have the guts to do it.

Posted by Stabvest on June 29, 2009 at 12:50 PM | Report this comment