Spot the Difference

I often write articles about inviting or attracting new members to your club or location. Spring is a time of new beginnings and of getting things in shape, so this time I want to write about you – about getting yourself ready for enjoying another beautiful summer.

We talk about the benefits of naturism – which are definitely wide and varied…the blissful feeling of the sun on our skin; the many health benefits both mental and physical through maintaining adequate levels of vitamin D.  

But there is another element that we cannot afford to ignore.

Along with our normal annual health checkups, as naturists there is something that we should definitely never overlook…a mole or skin check.

As children and teenagers we have all been exposed, possibly even unprotected, to strong sun resulting in sunburn. This and also our wonderful clothes-free lifestyle involving frequent activities outdoors, increase our risk of developing Melanoma or other forms of skin cancer.

Skin cancer is the most commonly diagnosed form of cancer in New Zealand and two out of three of us will develop it. Basal and squamous cell carcinomas are the two most common forms of skin cancer and are completely curable and treatable by medical practitioners when caught early. 

As part of your early detection plan, I would highly recommend having a regular mole check performed by your GP or even better still a trained Dermatologist like a Molecheck or MoleMap clinic.

A suggestion for clubs could be to organise a Dermatologist to attend an open/visitors day and do spot checks for a period of time. It also might be possible to arrange a discounted rate for members of your club at the closest clinic.

My husband and I have just had our mole check for the year. We received a health voucher from our medical insurance provider so decided to put it towards that. While we keep an eye on each other’s skin and try to recognise any changes that occur, seeking the opinion of a professional Dermatologist gives you the peace of mind and they advise the particular spots (if any) they’d like to keep an eye on. 

So, while it is cooler out there and while we’re not spending every moment available enjoying nude recreation to the same extent, why not get yourself a thorough check up all over and…spot the difference.

gonatural Magazine Issue #226 September 2013

The editorial direct from the Managing Editor's desk in the just printed next issue of gonatural Magazine:

Before I reveal to you some of the ‘gems’ in this issue, I need to remind you all to check out the New Zealand Naturist Federation’s new website, and give Donna Miller, Communications Officer NZNF, a big pat on the back for rising to the challenge, slaving all hours of the day and night to create and perfect www.gonatural.co.nz 

In Issue #226:

Wendy Lowe, President NZNF, introduces herself. Following this I have included some items of interest from gonatural News, which is now being distributed via club secretaries. Note also that gonatural Week will now be held from 18th to 27th January 2014. 

The INF-FNI celebrates its 60th anniversary this year at Montalivet in France, from 20th to 22nd September 2013. Brian and I have managed to place this on our itinerary this year and are looking forward to renewing our acquaintance with naturist friends from several other countries. 
Beginning late December, Rotota Roman XLII Camp-out promises to be a week of fun and challenging activities. So register now before you forget. 
Perhaps more challenging but just as much fun - the annual polar plunge by members of The Orchard Sun Club. This time in a new venue, lifeguards and all!
Monty’s Odyssea saw him travel all around the central North Island in his seven metre certified self-contained motorhome and arrive back in time for Christmas. 
Variable weather was how it was described in Wairau Valley as the Nude Golf International tee’d off last February. 
At the same time, five happy glampers, led by Doug Ball, enjoyed superb weather in the Wairarapa. 
Sweltering in 30 degree heat another five ‘boulder-hopped’ their way through Saw Cut Gorge in Marlborough. I do hope you enjoy some of the numerous photos taken during that day and featured in this issue. 
Similar challenges may be found in the Calanques of Marseilles in the South of France where Président Association Naturiste Phocéenne, Bruno Saurex invites you to explore in this wild setting for naturism.
Another new contributor, photographer and model Bernardo Cesare, introduces you to his subject ‘Art and Nudism’. 
Donna Miller invites you to get yourselves ready for another beautiful summer with something that we should definitely never overlook…a mole or skin check. 
Several keen members of Hawkes Bay Naturist Club recently held a ‘Tree Bee’ with almost disastrous results as they removed several large trees from the grounds.
South Canterbury Sun Club is gearing up for its 40th Anniversary Celebration to be held in November. 

So a great deal happening in the naturist calendar. If you have an event coming up or it’s been and gone already - tell us about it. In the meantime . . .A bientot!
Kay Hannam
Managing Editor

If you would like to subscribe to gonatural Magazine then it's easy and you can do it all online - payment and all. Issued quarterly, it costs NZD34.00 each year to subscribe to the printed magazine including postage or NZD27.00 each year to subscribe to the digital version.

62nd NZNF Naturist Festival - Rotota 2013/14

Every year the NZNF holds a National Festival to coincide with their AGM.  The festival runs for 7 days from 28 December to 3 January with the host club presenting themed entertainment each day and evening.

The Festival is a chance to reconnect with old friends and to make some new ones…a time to relax and "reboot” enjoying clothes-free recreation together.

This year the 62nd NZNF Festival will be hosted by Rotota Sun Club at their grounds on the sunny shores of Lake Ohakuri, not far from Rotorua, Tokoroa and Taupo (which is where they take their name). 

Theme:

The theme for the festival this year is "Roman Rotota LXII Camp-out". 

They say "for every 200 metres you travel down their driveway, you will travel 200 years back in time"! There will be Roman-themed games, banquets, crafts, slave auctions, chariot races to name a few...so come along in your toga and join us.

The programme will be exciting...from challenging the gladiators to being pampered like a Roman Goddess...there is an activity day and night to suit every citizen of the Empire.

Plans are well advanced for the forthcoming festival...marquees are hired, plans are being drawn up for the ancient siege engines and the gladiator challenge machine.  Rotota are looking forward to an exciting year of preparation for the Rally anticipating a fun and relaxing week with a few interesting twists. The festival committee is meeting regularly, finalising plans and organising events for this special time.

For as little as $150 p/person ($140 p/person if paid in full by 31 October 2013) you can treat yourself to a wonderful clothes-free holiday from 28 December 2013 until 3 January 2014 on the tranquil Rotota Sun Club grounds.

Register and pay in full by 31 October 2013 and pay only $140 p/person, plus go into a draw for a free festival. Click here to download the registration form.

NZNF Launches New Website

The New Zealand Naturist Federation is inviting visitors to explore its exciting new website. 

The new website has been designed to provide the ultimate user-friendly experience with improved navigation and functionality throughout, allowing users to access detailed information on the naturist lifestyle with the option to share information across all major social networking sites.

Created with the user experience firmly in mind, the website has been designed using the latest technology so the site is compatible with today’s browsers and mobile devices - without the need for Adobe® Flash to view it. This means the user benefits from richer online content that is easier to navigate.

The website boasts a modern, colourful and fresh design and is primarily divided into four sections: information about naturism and the NZNF, what is happening and where, our gonatural branded products and our quarterly magazine subscription.

We want to promote a positive awareness and attitude to naturism nationally and desire to “normalise nudity”.

Find out more about the naturist community in New Zealand and visit

http://www.gonatural.co.nz

gonatural Magazine Issue #225 June 2013

The June 2013 #225 edition of gonatural Magazine has now been printed and is in the process of being sent out. If you're a subscriber then your copy shouldn't be too far away from your letterbox, or your email that the digital version is available.

In this Issue #225:

It’s great to hear of various mid-winter dinners and other social events coming up over the next few months, indicating that although summer has finished, clubs never close and continue to socialise over autumn and winter.

Autumn also signals our end of year audit. Riveting stuff in a naturist magazine, but by now most businesses and clubs may have completed their financial accounts and will use this as a basis for planning ahead. NZNF Communications Officer, Donna Miller, provides sound practical ideas to make use of the quieter time over the winter to put your “business plan” together.

This issue features a wide range of naturist events including the 21st birthday of Alpine Lakes Naturist Club celebrated in Central Otago; Skinnydip Tours comprising 32 Australians who enjoyed the hospitality of the lower North Island; and an endless summer of fun with Bay of Plenty Naturists.

When you think of Thailand, you don’t immediately think of naturism, but with its beautiful beaches and tropical climate, it is reported to be the ideal place to practise it.

Over the ditch (the Tasman Sea that is) a houseboat on the Murray River provided the basis of a great naturist holiday for ten Auckland naturists; while back home here in Marlborough, everyone’s expectations of the Nude Adventure on the River Queen were more than exceeded with a chorus of “we’ll do this again next year”.

Nude with Attitude was launched in superb style at the Millennium Art Gallery in Blenheim to a receptive cross-section of friends, neighbours and business associates.

The Naked Overlanders crossed some pretty spectacular countryside in South Canterbury and Central Otago, taking some interesting “holiday snaps” along the way.

Still in South Canterbury - Hot Tubs in Omarama - a great place for the “wrinkly rams” to warm up after their nude dinner the previous evening.

After ten years, World Naked Bike Ride is the longest running and largest global protest that has no money backers and is run by volunteers around the world. Three rides are held in New Zealand; Golden Bay, Central Otago and Tauranga.

In the middle of March, in Middlemarch, The Orchard hosts the annual K-Cup Yankee Miniten Tournament and in Canterbury, Pineglades held a Piscean Night for several Pineglades members celebrating their birthdays under the star sign.

Next year, make a plan to take part in some of these events. Better still, plan your year ahead to include an event and tell us about it in the pages ofgonatural and on the website.

If you don't currently receive the magazine then you can subscribe to either the printed or digitial version by here. 

Under Development...

You might have been wondering why you haven't heard from us much so far this year? 

Well we haven't gone anywhere...we've just been working hard to bring you an awesome new website! 

Having previously just used websites without much thought I now have a much bigger understanding of the complexities that go on "behind the scenes". 

First and foremost is trying to determine what our visitors/users want to know and see now and also to imagine what they could need in the future. 

Once you see it I'm sure you will agree that it fits our scope of works - to have a fresh, modern, professional look and to be visitor engaging and user friendly. 

In the meantime, it is still business as usual at our current site where you will find: 

Our current site

• links to naturist clubs and locations around NZ
• you can subscribe to gonatural magazine
• information on the benefits of naturism
• about the NZNF 
• what's happening around the country
• details of the next Rally
• gonatural branded products

Also, visit our social media pages and "like" or "follow" us there:

Our Google+ profile

Our Pinterest page

Our Twitter profile

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gonatural Magazine Issue #224 March 2013

The March 2013 #224 edition of gonatural Magazine has now been printed and sent. If you're a subscriber then you should have received your copy in the post or a notification that the digital version is available.

In this Issue #224:
A surprise luncheon was held at Auckland Outdoor Naturist club for Les Olsen who was awarded Honorary Life Membership of the New Zealand Naturist Federation.
New Year, new page...NZNF Communications Officer, Donna Miller signals a fresh and professional update to the website: www.gonatural.co.nz.
Also this wonderfully warm spell of fine weather is ideal for visitor days - Donna suggests a number of ways in which members could open their grounds and maximise the exposure of clubs to potential members and show grounds and facilities at their best.
Miniten is described as ‘the beautiful game’ at Pineglades Naturist Club which now boasts two beautifully refurbished courts. We bring you news of three attempts to secure the Skinny Dip World Record held around New Zealand during the summer; and Ken Mercer ruminates on a sporting dilemma experienced at national festivals.
Is there a difference between baloney and blarney? Find out if there is in Ireland Naturally.
Summer notes from The Orchard tell us about the fun to be had in Central Otago including the annual K Cup Miniten Tournament in Middlemarch during the middle of March.
Variety is the spice of life and aptly describes the Aquarian festival activities. Pam Griffin brings you a delightful article and several photos from the New Age of Aquarius Festival held by the Wellington Naturist Club at Te Marua.
A very special naturist wedding day was celebrated at Te Marua (Wellington Naturist Club) on Saturday 5th January with several friends and family in attendance - introducing Wendy and Nick Lowe, whose photo graces our front cover.
Somehow, many of the naturists attending the festival fitted in some naked action on the Rimutakas and Pos Shute brings you this feature. More on the Nude Dude in America - this time from DeAnza Springs.
Well known in the Australasian naturist community, Ruth and Rod Pegg have taken on the lease of Valley Naturist Bush Retreat in Far North Queensland and invite you to see and enjoy the many recent improvements to the property.

If you don't currently receive the magazine then you can subscribe to either the printed or digitial version by here.