Sex popular at Canadian nude beach

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Aug. 3 (UPI) -- Some purveyors of Wreck Beach, one of Canada's most popular clothing-optional hangouts for decades, are worried rampant sexual exploits could spell its demise.

Nudity has been known at the Vancouver beach for the better part of 80 years and really caught on the 1960s, The George Straight noted in its July 31 issue. But the recent trend has edged from exhibitionism to sexual coupling, the Vancouver newspaper reported last week.

The Wreck Beach Preservation Society is working to keep Canada's first clothing-optional beach wholesome. To that end it wants the beach named a national or UNESCO heritage site, with its own bronze plaque.

"If you're an exhibitionist, go down to English Bay and have your rocks off there," group member Judy Williams, a 28-year-old office worker from Langley, said. "It doesn't belong on the beach, which is a family beach and a beach at risk from politicians just because we're nude."

Both nudity and public sex are crimes in Canada. However, one man, who gave the name Eli to protect his identity, said he likes the idea of finding sex partners at the beach.

"I'm an open, free-spirited person and I enjoy life, and I'm going to spend my time at a nude beach, and if something happens, great," he said.