Mark your calendars for what could be the most naked people swimming together, in one place, at a time, on the Treasure Coast.
The Treasure Coast Naturists organized their July 10 annual skinny dip at Blind Creek Beach in St. Lucie County to try to break last year’s record of 431 people simultaneously skinny dipping there, according to the nonprofit that promotes a clothing-optional lifestyle.
The world record for the biggest skinny dip was set by 2,505 women in Ireland in June 2018, according to Guinness World Records†
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The nudist beach is one of only three in Florida, according to Visit Florida, the State’s Official Tourism Marketing Company† The other two are Haulover Beach in Miami and the Cape Canaveral Seashore – specifically Apollo Beach in Volusia County and Playalinda Beach in Titusville, not Brevard County, where nudity is prohibited.
Blind Creek is located just north of the St. Lucie Nuclear Power Plant. It became a clothing-optional beach in June 2020 when the County Commission designated 36 acres of beach in the 408-acre park as clothing optional.
The move meant that the county became responsible for installing and maintaining signs informing the public at the nudist beach and for paying for toilets. There are portable restrooms and a covered picnic table, but no paved parking or other amenities.
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For about a year, the county has been working on permits for bathrooms, showers, paved parking lots and driveways after approval from several state departments, said Summer Ivey-Platt, parks and special facilities manager. Officials cannot estimate when the permit granting and project will be completed.
Before the County recognized Blind Creek as a nudist beach, the Treasure Coast Naturists had maintained it as such since 2014.
The nonprofit, originally called Friends of Blind Creek Beach, promotes this etiquette:
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Apply the golden rule. Your nude beach behavior should be the same as your textile world behavior. Practice politeness and attention.
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Respect the privacy of others. If there is a lot of space, give people a respectable distance. Recognize when you are not welcome.
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Never walk through the dunes. Please respect wildlife and environmentally sensitive areas. Some places were never meant for people to enter.
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Avoid endangering the natural environment through fire, pollution or even potentially hazardous food products.
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Public sexual activity is inappropriate and illegal. Your beach neighbors can call 911 when inconsiderate individuals violate the prohibitions for fornication.
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Keep the beach clean and remove your trash. Carry out cigarette butts. Pack it up, pack it up and leave only footprints.
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No glass containers on the beach. Bring unbreakable containers. Practice safety.
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Pets are not allowed on the beach.
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Avoid noise pollution. Use earphones or keep the radio volume low.
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Be polite with cameras. Do not photograph people without their permission. Practice politeness by asking first. Never photograph children other than your own.
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Gawking is rude just like in clothed society. Abstain from this uncivilized behavior.
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Please dress before leaving the naturist beaches. The parking lot and trail are for the dressed up.
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You are encouraged to walk along the shoreline where you will avoid sand as you pass others.
Skinny dipping
Laurie K. Blandford is from TCPalm entertainment reporter and columnist dedicated to finding the best things to do on the Treasure Coast. Follow her on Twitter @TCPalmLaurie and Facebook †TCPalmLaurie† Email her at [email protected]† Sign up for her What To Do in 772 weekly newsletter at profile.tcpalm.com/newsletters/manage.
This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast newspapers: Nudist beach: Nudists try to break Florida’s meager diving record