16 January 2009

What am I getting into at Kambah pool?

| new-berran
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Good afternoon all

I have just returned from lunch where i witnessed an interesting debate relevant to the current hot weather we are having. Whilst chatting about local water holes, the two people I was eating with entered into a debate regarding Kambah Pool. In short, they were trying to determine if it is a nudist beach or a gay nudist beach? As someone who is quite new to the city, I really need to know the correct answer as the two are quite different!

Any wise locals wish to comment?

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When I lived in Canberra in the 1970s & early 80s Kambah Pool was very popular with all Canberrans. It was generally understood that the sandy areas near the car park were famil-orientated and clothes were on. A bit further downstream and you came to a nude area, after you passed a sign warning you that it was clothes optional. This was usually still families – naked! However if you went some distance further & climbed through a rocky patch, most of the naked were men & mostly there to meet each other. No one seemed to mind & (other than husbands going for a “walk”) the various groups all had a good time & no one was offended. I was sad to see when I was there in 1995 that it had become a bit seedier and a lot dirtier (rubbish i the car park & surrounds). I also read about breakins to parked cars. A great pity as the Pool was an institution – the generally encroaching suburbs have ruined it I guess.
I have a great memory of spending the day in the gay area enjoying the sun and swimming. At the end of the day I met up with some friends on the way back to the car – we had a fire on the beach & watched the sun set.

Peewee Slasher12:59 pm 03 Aug 09

I took an exploratory walk there many years ago. All I saw was a man wearing a curtain ring big enough to need a 1/4 ” gutter bolt to hold it together.

Turned around and never went there again!

Although random groups of bush walkers and rock climbers seems to pop up out of the blue.

I’ve been in this group, but have also only even seen older fat men.

haha. BerraBoy – when the weather heats up AND
there is no Riotact nude barbequers loitering around the place.

well someone would have said it eventually.

Well, this thread’s certainly taken a turn for the worse…

Hot fat spitting onto the genitals and pubes in the salad?
Count me out.

How about a RA nude BBQ?

FC said :

Kambah pool is a great place for a swim. Especially if you want to go all natural.
Although random groups of bush walkers and rock climbers seems to pop up out of the blue.
I always just hope my mum is not among them..

So when are you going there next, FC;)

Kambah pool is a great place for a swim. Especially if you want to go all natural.
Although random groups of bush walkers and rock climbers seems to pop up out of the blue.
I always just hope my mum is not among them..

We always assumed they were waiting for something interesting (ad female) to show up. How naive we were.

frontrow said :

I went there 20 years ago harbouring teenage fantasies of what a nudist beach must be like.

The only people there were aging fat men.

I haven’t been back.

LOL. I had the same experience!

wow didn’t even know there was a nudist beach in Kambah

Pray contrare…. We decided today to go on ‘Walk 36’ of the Graham Barrow ‘Walks around Canberra’. Wanted to go to the ‘Red Rocks’.

Well, the burnt out vehicles and closed toilets (and i was dying for a leak!) should have warned us! We got to Red Rocks and had a nice cup of tea but on the way back the guy standing with his pants keeping his ankles warm and others watching was quite distracting.

If taking kids down to Kambah pool, turn left not right (unless on a ‘ways of the world’ educational trip).

Kambah pool is still well frequented and predominantly male. Fair play, nice area for some al fresco hows-yer-father 🙂

A Noisy Noise Annoys An Oyster11:15 am 17 Jan 09

I-filed said :

Why would there be a ‘gay nudist beach’? Nudism at the beach isn’t about sex. It’s about swimming in the nuddy and feeling the sun on your skin. No way is there a designated ‘gay nudist beach’ where ornery het people can’t strip off.

There is no “designated gay beach” where heteros can’t go. Theoretically straights can go to the gay beach but many are uncomfortable with gays around so most stay at the straight beach. What became the gay beach was originally the only nude beach where everybody went, but the local nudist club had the boundary extended to encompass the beach closest to the carpark. The upper beach became the gay beach, the lower beach became the straight beach. As WBJ stated, the gay beach is now completely overgrown with weeds and very few guys go there anymore.

Nobody’s asking you to look, young Pandy! Just stay away from the nudist beach is all …. I’m a’warning yer!!

Geesus Granny! Seeing you walk naked all wrinkly with your breasts hanging by your belly button……[shudder]

SheepGroper said :

New Yeah said :

And back in the 70s I think it was a different scene altogether with plenty of folks getting their kit off at designated beaches. It would be good (togs aren’t really that comfy) if that mentality came back.

I’m in favour of nudity especially if its male, but society does seem to be more prudish at the moment, arses have been blurred out on Australian Funniest Home Videos clips for the last few years but they used to show all.

and the slip, slop, slap campaign took a totally new direction….

New Yeah said :

And back in the 70s I think it was a different scene altogether with plenty of folks getting their kit off at designated beaches. It would be good (togs aren’t really that comfy) if that mentality came back.

I’m in favour of nudity especially if its male, but society does seem to be more prudish at the moment, arses have been blurred out on Australian Funniest Home Videos clips for the last few years but they used to show all.

I’m tempted to do it just to traumatise Pandy …. *heh heh heh*

Don’t worry Skidbladnir, the promise of an allover tan should make sure the hike is seen as worthwhile!

i agree with the idea of it being not exclusive all the way to the end bit, but the practice of it means that its a bait of a hike with a lady if you want to go right to the end and reclaim it for the vanilla crowds, or “the public” as its called above…
Hint: they’re as public as you are, maybe more so.

Out of curiosity, I dropped by Kambah Pool earlier in summer on a weekday. I had been to the textile area many times, but never to the clothing optional part.

As was said, there were a couple of leathery old blokes but also a middle aged couple.

So, new-berran, based on my experience this makes Kambah Pool just a normal nudist beach.

My girl friend and I will probably head down some time before while this heat keeps up – see you there!

there is an engrained prudishness in our own culture that seems to make the non-gay part of society unable to cope with the idea of public nudity

Depends where you go! I’ve just been at clothing optional beaches in Byron Bay and Coffs Harbour where a number of hetero couples were bathing.

And back in the 70s I think it was a different scene altogether with plenty of folks getting their kit off at designated beaches. It would be good (togs aren’t really that comfy) if that mentality came back.

Why would there be a ‘gay nudist beach’? Nudism at the beach isn’t about sex. It’s about swimming in the nuddy and feeling the sun on your skin. No way is there a designated ‘gay nudist beach’ where ornery het people can’t strip off.

WBJ

Charming… You remind me of Tooms from Silence of The Lambs.

Madman said :

Funny, Me and JB were discussing this the other day.

I was under the impression it was the new gay nudist beach. But only just recently, like not in 20 years ago… Things change man!!!!

good that you got the thread right madman.

yarraslumla said :

I wanna go and see some boobs!

sinsations for you then.

I wanna go and see some boobs!

Yeah, one of my friends mum was in that nude news story. Not what I ever need to see again.

Nudists and hetero (or nudists and kids) aren’t mutually exclusive.

Besides, there’s a nudist caravan park with kids playground around the region somewhere… It was on the news a while back.

tylersmayhem2:55 pm 16 Jan 09

Any lesbian parts?

I don’t know…do you consider “gay” to include “lesbian”? Last time I checked lesbians were gay. And in that case, several posts have answered before your post.

Kambah pool as such is not a nudist or “gay” hangout. If you drive there, park your car and head down to the main area – I doubt you’ll see either. Perhaps further along the banks somewhere. Do you really think nudists or gays would really want stickybeaking hetros or young kids coming to spoil their relaxation. I think not.

Funny, Me and JB were discussing this the other day.

I was under the impression it was the new gay nudist beach. But only just recently, like not in 20 years ago… Things change man!!!!

Wellington Sludge1:31 pm 16 Jan 09

Wide Boy Jake said :

The gay area further down is almost completely overgrown now and far fewer go there than in years gone by.

Are we still talking about the swimming areas? 🙂

I’ve seen people of the female persuasion there over the last couple of years (in the straight section). Invariably they were accompanied by a male, which is understandable – my female significant other went with me once – she liked the location but was put off by the creepy guy in the distance touching himself.

Wide Boy Jake1:12 pm 16 Jan 09

AngryHenry said :

Damn! Sorry about posting that quote…

In reference to it. Regardless of not being harassed I don’t really find anything educational or remotely liberating about going for a swim only to stumble upon a group of middle aged fat men pulling each other. Gay or straight I hardly find that behaviour appropriate, especially when there’s the chance that other members (excuse the pun!) of the public could be in the area.

Nudity is one thing but lewd conduct is another altogether.

When I used to go there as a schoolkid in the 1970s and the years following you usually went into the bushes or other hidden/discreet area away from others to get off. Obviously things have changed since then.

Damn! Sorry about posting that quote…

In reference to it. Regardless of not being harassed I don’t really find anything educational or remotely liberating about going for a swim only to stumble upon a group of middle aged fat men pulling each other. Gay or straight I hardly find that behaviour appropriate, especially when there’s the chance that other members (excuse the pun!) of the public could be in the area.

Nudity is one thing but lewd conduct is another altogether.

clueless70 said :

I’d say Kambah pool is in effect a gay nudist beach, like most de-facto or legislated nude beaches I’ve used in Australia. This may just be because it is mostly gay men who are brave enough to use them. Overseas, elements of gay and straight culture share nude beaches equally, but there is an engrained prudishness in our own culture that seems to make the non-gay part of society unable to cope with the idea of public nudity.

Two visits to Kambah pool the last two years have revealed that the only patrons of the nudist area these days seem to be lobster-coloured men of varying ages – but tending towards middle age, and presumably gay – who lie about portentously alone and ‘reading’ a book, or stand in conference tugging each other’s genitals in a companionable manner. This may be distracting to people who come down there to swim and who don’t share these sexual tastes. I have never been harassed or pursued down there, but finding a stretch of water that you can claim as your own for any length of time is difficult. There appears to be a presumption on the part of others that if you are a bloke wandering around alone then you are likely to be free for some masonic genital tugging. Other lone wanderers will discreetly but purposefully keep strolling by to check you out until they pick up the wavelength of profound indifference one is broadcasting.

I think it’s a shame that a wider section of society doesn’t make use of the pools, as it did in the past. An adolescent visit there many years ago revealed adults and children of both genders as well as lobster-men, and was educational as well as liberating.

Kambah and Nudists!!!

Add that to your list of words that should never be used together.

All’s I have to say is eeeeeewwwwwwww!

Woody Mann-Caruso11:31 am 16 Jan 09

No nudists, no gay frolicking. If it’s 500m down the river as everybody claims, I haven’t seen it on my treks.

Wide Boy Jake11:09 am 16 Jan 09

I would assume it would still be well sign-posted…

or the sign is adorning some bah boy’s bedroom.

The sign was replaced three times before they gave up. It read “Naked bodies may be encountered past this point”. It was a direct pinch from the warning broadcast before the Alvin Purple TV show on the ABC in 1976 (when nude bathing at Kambah was legalised).

I stand corrected. As I remember the final version of the sign was changed to “Nude bathing permitted in this area”. Again it was stolen within a few months.

I’d say Kambah pool is in effect a gay nudist beach, like most de-facto or legislated nude beaches I’ve used in Australia. This may just be because it is mostly gay men who are brave enough to use them. Overseas, elements of gay and straight culture share nude beaches equally, but there is an engrained prudishness in our own culture that seems to make the non-gay part of society unable to cope with the idea of public nudity.

Two visits to Kambah pool the last two years have revealed that the only patrons of the nudist area these days seem to be lobster-coloured men of varying ages – but tending towards middle age, and presumably gay – who lie about portentously alone and ‘reading’ a book, or stand in conference tugging each other’s genitals in a companionable manner. This may be distracting to people who come down there to swim and who don’t share these sexual tastes. I have never been harassed or pursued down there, but finding a stretch of water that you can claim as your own for any length of time is difficult. There appears to be a presumption on the part of others that if you are a bloke wandering around alone then you are likely to be free for some masonic genital tugging. Other lone wanderers will discreetly but purposefully keep strolling by to check you out until they pick up the wavelength of profound indifference one is broadcasting.

I think it’s a shame that a wider section of society doesn’t make use of the pools, as it did in the past. An adolescent visit there many years ago revealed adults and children of both genders as well as lobster-men, and was educational as well as liberating.

hairy nosed wombat, you need directions?

the signs to get there are pretty prominent.

Wide Boy Jake10:40 am 16 Jan 09

peterh said :

Gerry-Built said :

wishuwell #15 – LOL! sweet…

I grew up in Kambah and frequented the normal Kambah Pool… I used to like mucking about in the rapids…

There was a clear demarcation of where i would go to though – the aging sign that indicated nude bathing was allowed beyond said sign; It was about 500m downstream (from the public swimming area), and well sign-posted (that was at least 15 years ago though).

I would assume it would still be well sign-posted…

or the sign is adorning some bah boy’s bedroom.

The sign was replaced three times before they gave up. It read “Naked bodies may be encountered past this point”. It was a direct pinch from the warning broadcast before the Alvin Purple TV show on the ABC in 1976 (when nude bathing at Kambah was legalised).

hairy nosed wombat10:38 am 16 Jan 09

Directions on how to get to the nudist part of Kambah pool can be found at the Free Beach Association of Australias Website.

They have directions to a number of nude beaches in Australia.

As i under stand it the first beach (about 250 meters downstream, or going north from the carpark) is the straight beach, and the second and third beach (or sandy area) is the gay area.

The area beneath, and upstream (or south) from the carpark is a Textile (or not nude) swimming area.

johnboy said :

The internet is a wonderful thing…

I’d have thought you knew that already, Jb…
It was at the top of your Infamous List

Gerry-Built said :

wishuwell #15 – LOL! sweet…

I grew up in Kambah and frequented the normal Kambah Pool… I used to like mucking about in the rapids…

There was a clear demarcation of where i would go to though – the aging sign that indicated nude bathing was allowed beyond said sign; It was about 500m downstream (from the public swimming area), and well sign-posted (that was at least 15 years ago though).

I would assume it would still be well sign-posted…

or the sign is adorning some bah boy’s bedroom.

wishuwell #15 – LOL! sweet…

I grew up in Kambah and frequented the normal Kambah Pool… I used to like mucking about in the rapids…

There was a clear demarcation of where i would go to though – the aging sign that indicated nude bathing was allowed beyond said sign; It was about 500m downstream (from the public swimming area), and well sign-posted (that was at least 15 years ago though).

I would assume it would still be well sign-posted…

Wide Boy Jake said :

The gay area further down is almost completely overgrown now and far fewer go there than in years gone by.

The internet is a wonderful thing…

The ungratefull half of the current wishuwell life experience and myself spent yesterday evening in the water and I got to say it was fantastic. We were there till about 9:45. On the way back to the car torches guiding the way tuhotcwle thought she saw some bods in the bushes and asked if we should assist in guiding them back to the car park as it was very dark. Luckily it was dark enough that she didn’t see the look I gave her. Naivety where would I be without you.

From memory when you drive down there I think there is a fork in the road. If you go right there is a nudist bit (as mentioned a fair walk from the carpark) but if you turn left you avoid the whole question

or lesbians that look like ageing fat men……

The nudists, gay & straight alike, are (as mentioned) 500m or so upstream.

Umm, isn’t it downstream?

Because I have walked upstream from there many times, but never seen people, let along fat nude men.

Wide Boy Jake10:00 am 16 Jan 09

The gay area further down is almost completely overgrown now and far fewer go there than in years gone by.

naked aging fat men *shudder*

> Any lesbian parts?

I think the first comment answered that…

“The only people there were aging fat men.”

Any lesbian parts?

> The area near the carpark is straight nudist. The gay area is further on.

There’s no nudists near the car park, regardless of sexual preference. The nudists, gay & straight alike, are (as mentioned) 500m or so upstream.

Wide Boy Jake9:25 am 16 Jan 09

The area near the carpark is straight nudist. The gay area is further on.

Growling Ferret8:59 am 16 Jan 09

90% of Kambah pool is non nudist swimming hole. Always used to be a favourite as a kid for nice deep water that was actually moving a little bit and not stagnating…

To get to the nudist part its a 500m or so trek down the riverbank.

captainwhorebags8:57 am 16 Jan 09

I always thought that the part of Kambah Pool that you drove to and parked at was just a swimming hole in the river without any particular designation. There was always apparently a nudist part, but further along the river.

“I really need to know the correct answer as the two are quite different!”

How are they different?

I went there 20 years ago harbouring teenage fantasies of what a nudist beach must be like.

The only people there were aging fat men.

I haven’t been back.

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