Nudists say new dorms would invade their privacy
Tuesday, April 13, 2004 8:30 AM PDT
By Associated Press
Printable version
E-mail this articleVANCOUVER, British Columbia -- Beach bums on Wreck Beach could receive far too much exposure if a proposed pair of high-rise dormitories are built on the cliffs above, say bathers out to protect the privacy of the world-famous nude beach.
If the University of British Columbia builds the 20-story residences, binoculars, Web cameras and well-educated voyeurs can't be far behind, say protesters who gathered on a warm, sunny Easter weekend.
"It's mean for the university to do," said Stephanie Gibson, 12, who has been raised in the buff on the beach.
"I know they need more residences for the students but they have to think of us. It's our privacy. Some parents might be disgusted, some students might take pictures and put us on the Internet and send them to their friends, have a party with them," she said.
Stephanie and her mother, Justine Gibson, joined the protest Sunday along with members of the Wreck Beach Preservation Society, which has fended off challenges to the nude beach since the 1970s.
Society members floated hot air balloons from the proposed construction site, up to the 20-story height of the planned residences. Bathers with walkie-talkies reported from the beach below that they could clearly see balloons -- meaning students who would live on the upper floors would be able to see them.
University Vice President Dennis Pavlich said Monday that UBC board members have to approve of the design, and they would be highly unlikely to sign off on student housing that overlooks a nude beach, he said.
Beyond its informal dress or lack of it, Wreck Beach is equally known and cherished for its laissez-faire lifestyle, with open drug and alcohol sales by nude vendors balancing coolers on their heads.
Other vendors lay out blankets and cut hair, give massages, mix pina colladas. Naked musicians provide a festive atmosphere.
Tired of the protest and anxious to meet new kids among the regular gang of 50 youngsters who spend their summers at Wreck Beach, Stephanie raced down to the surf.
She's practicing for the annual Bare Buns run, one of many annual events the beachgoers stage.
"It's a lot of fun," she said. "It's just natural, nobody cares what you look like, if you're gay, straight or whatever. It's all about personalities down here and having a lot of fun."
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