USAnudist.com

By Chris Metinko

CONTRA COSTA TIMES

Doug Duran/Contra Costa Times

Sequoians Clothes Free Club Vice President Bill Hendricks, left, Treasurer Harriet Neely, center, and President Bev Axelrad take part in the clubs annual Christmas party in Castro Valley.

CASTRO VALLEY - At least one night a year, both the gifts and the nudists come wrapped at the Sequoians Clothes Free Club.

“Honestly, there are some members who aren’t happy we have clothed events,” said the club’s vice president, Bill Hendricks. The Sequoians’ annual Christmas potluck and gift exchange is a strictly fabric-required event.

“But we do it so our members can bring their family and friends and everyone can feel comfortable,” Hendricks added. “Usually when these people come to an event like this and see what this place is all about, they’re much more accepting of the club.”

Apparently a lot of people are becoming more accepting of nudism as a whole. According to the American Association for Nude Recreation, nude recreation and travel has grown from a $200 million business in 1992 to a more than $400 million industry.

“The competition is stiff in this industry,” said Bev Axelrod, president and 12-year member of the Sequoians in Castro Valley. “Nudism is a huge moneymaker. We’re not one of the bigger clubs. We’re small, but it’s unique out here. I feel like I live in a national forest.”

That would be a natural forest where the animals are as clothed as the club’s seven permanent residents and 135 members who can visit year round. They all can enjoy the club’s 80 sprawling acres of secluded and serene outdoors nestled in the East Bay foothills.

The Sequoians have been around since 1947.

“When you’re here, you don’t have to put on the facade you put on at work or in everyday life,” said Hendricks, a 12-year member of the Sequoians. “There’s nothing to hide. It’s the real you, not someone else you get all dressed up to be.”

According to Carolyn Hawkins of the American Association for Nude Recreation, it is that desire to be free of the everyday grind that has led to the nude industry’s robust growth.

“People love it,” Hawkins said. “It’s a stress-free environment. When you shed your clothes, you shed your stress.”

The association has nearly 50,000 members and 270 clothes-free and clothing-optional resorts, clubs and RV campgrounds across the United States, Canada and the Caribbean. Hawkins said most clubs and resorts are located in warm-weather areas, but “we do have some in Minnesota, just less.”

Hawkins added that the industry is seeing incredible growth because of new resorts and the growth in nude travel, such as Carnival Cruise Lines’ nude cruises.

To help tap into that growing multimillion-dollar nude market, Hendricks said the Sequoians started an aggressive advertising campaign to get more members and visitors to the club. That effort included more concerts and a change in visitation rules that allows people unlimited visits without having to join the club.

“We understand not everyone has the money to join,” said Hendricks, adding that it costs nearly $500 to become a member. “So we are trying to make it easier for everyone so they can enjoy what we have to offer.”

Hendricks said the hope is to attract more young people. One of the things the Sequoians started this year to attract a younger crowd was discount visitor passes for anyone who could provide a valid student ID, allowing entrance for $10. The Sequoians get more than 350 visitors a year, and a visitor pass is $25.

Hendricks estimates the average age of the Sequoians at around 50, which is common — more than

Ninety percent of people who join nude clubs and resorts are older than 50.

“Baby boomers are definitely the largest age group,” Hawkins said. “But we are starting programs to try and attract the Gen-Xers.”

Along with the new concerts, the club also offers a recreation hall, campsites, hiking and a pool to its members. Besides the Christmas get-together, there are two other annual clothed events at the club — a Thanksgiving dinner and the Castro Valley Chamber of Commerce mixer, which happens about every other year.

The Sequoians have been chamber members for 22 years, and the mixer is one of the better-attended chamber get-togethers of the year.

“Everyone really looks forward to it,” said Valorie Robles, executive director of the chamber. “I think there’s a large curiosity factor.”

Robles said some people get irritated when the mixer is at the club, but, she said, “there are 11 other mixers during the year.”

Axelrod said she is not surprised by the large turnouts for the mixer.

“It’s much better than going to the doctor’s office or a lawyer’s office,” she said.

Reach Chris Metinko at 510-763-5418 or cmetinko@cctimes.com.

tentative run date — Saturday, Dec. 23

Nude by the numbers

$400 million — Estimated value of the nude recreation and nude travel industry

33 — Number of nude clubs and resorts registered with the American Association for Nude Recreation, Western Region

135 — Number of members of the Sequoians Clothes Free Club in Castro Valley

For more information on Sequoians Clothes Free Club, visit www.sequoians.com.