A crew of 30 Australians are undressing and sailing the Whitsundays in their birthday dresses this weekend.
It’s not the first time naturists have gone out to sea without clothes, as the group has enjoyed eight naked cruises through Sydney Harbor.
And it’s certainly not the most unusual activity they’ve done naked.
Get Naked Australia has made eight cruises to Sydney Harbor. (Supplied)
They have also climbed rock, done yoga, gone on camping trips, gardened, gone hiking, swam and done beach game events.
Get Naked Australia is Australia’s largest group of naturists under the age of 50.
It has 1,400 members nationwide, with the largest groups in Sydney, southeast Queensland, Melbourne, Townsville and Canberra.
Press to destigmatize nudity
Its goal is to change the way society sees the naked body and promote “healthy outdoor nudity.”
Founder Brendan Jones said the group wanted to change the way people perceived nudity, with a tendency to be seen as sexual or as part of art.
“There doesn’t really seem to be a middle ground where it’s just the body,” he said.
“When we post photos, we get people who especially sexualize it and say, ‘Wow, that’s a hot ass.’
“And it’s like, ‘No, that’s not the intention behind the photo.’
“The intention behind someone posting this photo is to share their experience or grow in confidence.
“They’re not trying to get comments about how sexy they look.
“It depends on society, on how we always sexualize nudity, and it really shouldn’t be the case.”
Get Naked Australia promotes entry into nature. (Supplied)
Jones said being naked was “being one with nature, as some may say” and enjoying being in a natural, free state.
“Nudity is the most natural thing there is ever,” he said.
For many, it is also empowering, especially after a trauma.
“We have a number of people in the group, especially women, who have suffered sexual trauma or eating disorders,” she said.
“When you go out and participate in a really positive community where there is no judgment about how you look, a lot of people say it’s really empowering.
“They can only be in this in this safe space.
“Insecurities are all internal when you are in a safe group of people.
“The benefits of (naturism) are endless.”
Get Naked Australia has made eight cruises to Sydney Harbor. (Supplied)
Practicality outweighs nudity
Taking a weekend sailing naturist excursion asks some questions about the practice.
Jones explained that the group did not mean that members should be naked at all times.
“If it’s cold at night, we’ll all get stuck,” he said.
He said the group’s attitude was about being comfortable with nudity, rather than imposing it, which set it apart from other nudist groups.
“They’re more about being naked all the time. And we’re not like that, and I think that’s why our group has grown so much.”
Get Naked Australia’s five-year anniversary tour to Sydney. (Michael Billing / Supplied)
Because Get Naked Australia is more about outdoor nudity, Jones said most of the events took place in the warmer months or in the warmer areas of Australia in the winter.
However, dozens of members of the group faced the cold to go hiking and swimming in the June winter conditions in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane in celebration of the group’s five years.
Keep the group in a safe space
Not everyone can join Get Naked Australia, as all members must be highly evaluated before being admitted to the group.
Jones said the thorough selection process was to create a safe and comfortable space by making sure people were there for the right reasons and also to maintain gender balance.
“We don’t announce too many events, because you just have a lot of creepy guys who want to join,” he said.
Jones said the group had many requests from people who did not have the purest intentions, and there were also many more men who wanted to join than women, which means men had to go on a waiting list. longer.
“We can’t let them all in because then the girls don’t come,” he said.
“It’s a difficult challenge.”
But he said the wait was worth it.