Monday Morning Motivation

Hawaii News Now: Polo Beach in Mokuleia has long been known as a "clothing optional" beach, a fact that angers area homeowners.

Denise Kuehu and other residents say the nudity has gotten out of hand, and that public decency laws should be enforced to keep beachgoers clothed.

"It's been going on for so long that we're basically getting tired that we don't have anybody from the government or the state helping us out on this," she said.

But Polo Beach regulars like RoAnne Gatt say they're not bothering anyone, and they want to officially designate the beach as a nude sunbathing site.

"If there are families who do walk past, we do put on something to hide our genitals," she said. "We are respectful of families who do stroll across the beach."

Richard Spacer, of the Naturist Action Committee, is behind the push to make Polo Beach clothing optional.

He argues that "de facto usage" over the decades has effectively labeled the beach as a nudist one. He also pointed to a 2000 Supreme Court ruling, "which has effectively made non-lewd nudity legal."

World's Largest Nude Ocean Swim

Hundreds of people stripped off Sunday to take part in the second annual Sydney Skinny in an attempt to break the world record for the largest nude ocean swim.

The photos in the article are safe for viewing at work.  A few butts, but not much more.  I'll do better next time, I promise.

Over 700 people took part in last year's inaugural swim, which aims to promote a positive body image.

Seven hundred people?  That seems kind of low for a world record, don't you think?   A world record should be thousands of people.  Heck, I was at this beach one weekend and there were many more than 700 nude people swimming.  Maybe that didn't count because the Declarers of World Records weren't there. Still, a mere 700 people is an unimpressive body count for a World Record.

Creator Nigel Marsh said that people use the Sydney Skinny "to throw aside concerns of body image, to connect with nature and celebrate living with more courage and kindness".

Not really.  People used the Sydney Skinny to look at each others' nude bodies.   Otherwise, why even bother? Connecting with nature and living with more courage and kindness can be celebrated anywhere.  This dealio was about getting nude with other people.  Not that there's anything wrong with that; it was probably a lot of fun, provided you were age 21-40 and in excellent shape.

"Such an amazingly fun and well organised event. Thank you to all behind the scenes and those making it smooth today."

It appears the event was indeed quite smooth.  Not a body hair visible in any of the photos.  In fairness, the photos are the posterior view only, but still, smooth is the operative word.  Because being smooth and the desire "to throw aside body image" are totally the same thing.  And big thanks to the photogs, by the way, for not troubling the reader with  images of overweight bodies.

Body image, my ass.  Ba dump bump!

Hey, Happy Monday everyone!