How many times over the past six summers have people suggested that we take a trip to a beach? Many. But we never did it, mostly because the nearest beach is an hour away from midtown, and the nearest nude beach is even farther, and we are sometimes very, very lazy. Why spend an hour on the Q train when you can just go to Central Park…?
The ocean, that’s why.
The ocean, the sand, the boardwalk…all the things that make Coney Island Coney Island. Let’s not forget the junk food. The rides and games, too.
So…we finally went. We went with our books, our sunscreen.
We went with our dogs.
We went with our wheelchair.
We went with our kids. (Yes, a few of us have kids!)
And what a happy, warm, delicious afternoon it was.
We spent most of the time on the sand, basking in a way that the grass of Central Park just doesn’t permit. Then some time cooling off in the ocean. Then back to the sand. The water. The sand.
Did we mention the junk food? At one point we made a hot dog run, giving up on Nathan’s because of the ridiculous lines there, but greatly enjoying the alternative fare at the stand known as Paul’s Daughter. (Mango slushie? Eh. Hand-cut French fries? Yes, please!)
What sort of reception did we get? No complaints, no visits from the police — unless you count this NYPD helicopter that hovered low over the shore. (We waved. It seemed to satisfy them.)
One dour-looking fellow appeared to be so fascinated by the sight of us that he hung around for several hours, staring at us creepily. But we didn’t let him bother us.
A number of women came by to congratulate us, thank us, or say they didn’t know it was legal to go topless — that always feels good, when we get the chance to educate people about their rights. One woman even took our info and swore she’d join up and come to future events. Who knows? Maybe she will.
And speaking of new members, we had one come out with us this time who is a terrifically talented manga artist, and she spent much of the afternoon sketching the rest of us.
She gave us permission to share the results:
So what’s next? Will we eventually get up the get-up-and-go to go all the way to Gunnison as a group? (Gunnison is the region’s only official nude beach, as far as we know.)
Maybe. We’ll see. But in the meantime we’re glad we finally got at least a taste of sun and sand. Even if only one of us was brave enough (briefly!) to go all the way…
As always great pics and an awesome fun time. What a great teaching moment this must have been for many other ladies that were present, hope it lends them the strength to follow your lead. Kudo to the brave one…..lol 😉
A great way to spend a day! Thanks for sharing. Loved the art, btw!
Wow great! I live in Argentina, but I’d love to join you if I go to NYC
Reblogged this on clothes free life and commented:
The sketches are fantastic
I any of you ever get to South Florida I would Love to Introduce you to Haulover Beach
I have followed you for quite some time now and I think you are just wonderful! I live in Sweden and top-less was almost mandatory back in the 90:s. Now isn’t it that common. Keep up your crusaid (?) to let women (and men of course) be liberal about nipples regardles of gender. The manga girl, Yunshu Chen, is good at what she does!
I am guessing the dogs were service dogs since as far as I know this is off season for dogs on Coney Island. Of course, if they saw the wheelchair they may have just assumed that, but when I was last on the beach during off hours, at like 7 am, they came with a helicopter and cops and threatened us with a $3000 fine! They were also extremely agitated and not very nice at all.
Can’t even imagine how much sunscreen you had to use on this day!
There’s something really cool about the first photo. On the one hand we have your group, top free, and in various bottoms. In the back, though, we have a muslim women in traditional attire, not just another women with her breast covered, but vailed head to toe. Intresting juxtaposition.
Alas, both are required!
In France twenty years ago, going topless (it is legal on every beach, not always on the street) was banality, only little girls insisted they must wear a top. Now it is waning, so a bit of soft militancy such as your would be a good idea. Alas I cannot help, I am not a woman, and my Asian wife is afraid of sun and tan.
It was a nice coincidence to find this blog entry in my email the moment I returned from my own visit to the beach yesterday. I was at Sandy Hook, but couldn’t visit Gunnison this time because some in my party aren’t as open-minded (likely due to my own poor parenting skills, but gotta let kids be themselves). But I do recommend Gunnison if you get the chance. I find it’s a great place for reading books, and you’ll likely get a lot fewer creepy stares than you did in this case. In case you aren’t aware: they don’t allow dogs this time of year and it’s not very wheelchair-friendly. (There’s a long walk over the sand to get to the shore, which I think is great because it isolates you from civilization, but some people complain about it.)
How lovely. I myself was topless on a beach near Barcelona again earlier today (we go most weekends). I’d estimate one in three or four other women were also topless (99.9% of men of course – one guy had his shirt on).
Were there any/many other female topless bathers?
No others that we saw.
Hi fives to each and every one of you. I continue to find your outings inspirational and encouraging. Thank you so much for your efforts. Love, Gingerbread
That last photo was like the surprise ending of an O Henry short story. Hahaha
Was she just changing into/out of her thong, or did she actually sunbathe nude?
What was the reaction of the guys playing volleyball in the background or of any passers-by?
As a literary society, we appreciate the O. Henry reference! But, yeah, she was just changing. No protracted nude sunbathing on Coney Island. As for reactions, we really got none on the beach — not from the volleyball players or from anyone else (except that one creepy guy who stood around and silently stared). On the boardwalk we attracted more attention, but still nothing negative or problematic.
No reaction, even to the full nudity, even if it was brief?
I guess she had so little on to begin with that, she figured, hey, what’s four fewer square inches of cloth, more or less? haha
Well, I’m not sure anyone saw, other than us. It’s a big beach, with lots of people on it. It’s not like people were staring at us all the time. (Except for that one guy, and I don’t think he had shown up yet.)
Please visit Toronto and come to Hanlan’s Point Beach, one of the only two clothing-optional beaches in Canada. We need you – there are too many textiles at the beach these days.
I love your blog. Keep up the good work.