BLACK’S BEACH WOMEN'S SURVEY

This is a project that I started on the 4^th of July weekend, 2006. I had never done anything like this before and really didn’t know what to expect. I was looking to see if I could spot any trends that needed attention. 

My plan was to pass out 200 questionnaires with self addressed stamped envelopes to women and hope for the best. I was overwhelmed by the fact that I got 98 returned. Actually I got two more after analyzing these results, so I got an even 50% return. The plan was simple, pass out 100 on Sunday July 2^nd and another 100 on Tuesday the 4^th. I chose these days knowing these would most likely be the most populated days of the summer. 

I thought that I would get a better response if I had women passing out the questionnaires. I had one woman with me on Sunday, and two on Tuesday. We walked to the southern boundary, turned around and they started handing them to every woman they saw. I told them to give the surveys to every woman, it didn’t matter if they were nude or not. I stayed out near the water and was keeping my helpers stocked and never went near any of these women. 

I really wanted to get these to women that I didn’t know. I felt that the women that sit in our group might have different views from women in other areas of the beach, but roughly half the women on the beach each day were sitting in our group. Many of these women filled out their survey and gave them back to me that day. I did mark these and want to analyze them separately to see if the answers differ. 

The next two pages are a copy of the survey that we passed out, front and back, and then below that are the results that I came up with. I started out with some demographic info and then into the written answers. I did a break down of the most common answers and tried to group similar responses. After that I wrote out the actual answers exactly as they were written. I will keep working on these, I want to do a break down according to age, and local women vs. out of towners. I also want to analyze the responses from our group vs. the rest of the beach. 

I would love to hear any comments about this. If you know of a better way to analyze these responses, I’m listening. Like I said at the top, I’ve never done anything like this before and really have no idea what I’m doing with it. I just hope somebody can benefit from the information. If this can help one woman have a good or better time at the beach, that will make it all worth while. 

For all the women that took the time to participate in this, thank you very much. I hope this is informative. 

Dave

I can be reached at davec@blacksbeach.org

You may download the survey in Word 2000 format for your own use.

BEACH SURVEY

The BLACK’S BEACH BARES are conducting a survey of women to see if we can make your visit better in the future. We’re asking if you would please take a few minutes to answer some questions and mail this back to us in the enclosed envelope or drop it off with us on the beach by the American and yellow flags.

Hope you enjoy your day at the best beach in San Diego.    Thank you.

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Age      ____  

Was this your first visit to Black’s Beach?             Yes  □      No   □  

Was this you first clothing-optional experience?                  Yes  □       No   □

If this was your first experience, was it what you expected?  

Did you feel safe?                                                    Yes  □       No   □  

Did you have any concerns before your visit?  

Are you from the San Diego area, or from out of town?

If from out of town could you give your home city and reason for being in San Diego?  

How did you learn of the beach?  

Why did you pick this beach to attend?  

Did you attend by yourself or with a friend/spouse?

If with a friend, were they male or female?            Male  □                   Female  □  

How would you describe your visit?  

Is there anything that would prevent you from coming back again?  

What advice could you give to other women to make their visit more enjoyable?  

What could we, as beach regulars, do to make your visit better?  

Anything else you might be able to add?  

For more information please visit naturistsociety.com.

If you have any questions or want results from this, you can contact us at blacksbeach.org.             

Again, thank you very much,    The Bares.

THE BLACK’S BEACH BARES 

The Black’s Beach Bares are a group of people dedicated to preserving the clothing optional status at Black’s Beach. We are passing out 100 of these surveys today July 2^nd and another 100 on July 4^th. If you see us approaching again on the forth please just wave us off and we’ll move on. We are looking for ways to improve your visit to the largest clothing optional beach in the country and also looking to spot any trends that could need attention. 

We have tried to make this as simple and anonymous as possible 

We are working on another survey that will be aimed at everybody but this one is focused only on a women’s perspective because we think women will have different concerns than men. We are trying to make this beach a safe and comfortable place for everybody. 

Please check our web site at http://blacksbeach.org to see a little of what we’re about. Come visit us on the beach and see for yourself. Contact The Naturist Society (www.naturistsociety.com) and ask about us. 

The Naturist Society is a national organization that oversees clothing optional public lands like Black’s Beach. We work very closely with them, we have someone on the membership advisory board representing the west coast of the US. A few of us write for their quarterly magazine. We have a couple of area representatives of the Naturist Education Foundation (NEF) working to educate people about naturism, they also lecture at local colleges on this topic. We have an area representative of the Naturist Action Committee (NAC) the political adjunct of The Naturist Society. 

We Can be found north of the main “burro” trail and can be identified by our volleyball court, flags, and on Sundays, our grills. We try to create a safe, fun, and family friendly atmosphere for people to enjoy. We are the most social group on the beach. We are not a club, but just a group of friends having fun on what we believe to be the best clothing optional in the country. 

                                    Thank you for your time,                                               

The Black’s Beach Bares

Age.     I got an age range from 17 to 66.

I came up with an average age of 34.7 years.

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Was this your first visit to Black’s beach and first clothing optional experience?

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Did you have any concerns before your visit?

This one I broke down whether it was their first visit, first clothing optional experience or neither.

Blank   11

No       54

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Are you from the San Diego area?  

50 from the San Diego area.

1 was unreadable.

6 said from out of town without listing where.

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How did you learn of the beach?  

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Why did you choose this beach to attend?  

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Did you attend by yourself or with a friend/spouse?

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How would you describe your visit?  

90        Positive responses.

8            Negative.

Actual answers:

Relaxing.

Moments of discomfort but overall enjoyable.

Fun & relaxing.

Very fun! Awesome time.

Very pleasant.

Something new & I had fun.

Incredibly relaxing, liberating & comfortable.

Fun.

Pleasant aside from stingrays.

Comfortable w/great people to hang out with.

Very relaxing, nice to know I can come out here & have fun w/no worries.

It was nice – but the masturbator wasn’t too cool.

Great! Totally worth the trek.

Fun, something different.

Uncomfortable at times, but over time Black’s Beach Bares became a fun/safe way to be here.

Peaceful.

One of the best times I’ve had at the beach in awhile, very peaceful & relaxing.

Beautiful & fun.

Beautiful beach, everyone seemed to be doing their own thing.

Excellent, I love this beach.

Great! Very fun.

Relaxing & enjoyable.

Fun & relaxing.

Great.

Great.

Pleasant.

Liberating – really enjoy the freedom.

Very fun & comfortable, also love the beach.

Awesome.

Very nice.

Mostly relaxing & enjoyable.

Relaxing.

Pleasant, fun, relaxing.

Pleasant, except for aggressive voyeurs.

Excellent – nice people.

Fun, loving & just where I wanted.

Fun.

Good.

I go here almost every Sunday.

OK.

Relaxing – pleasant.

Excellent, relaxing & welcomed.

Enjoyable.

It’s always very fun/out 1^st visit, Dave made us feel very comfortable.

Relaxed, joyful.

Relaxing.

Great.

Overall very pleasant.

Pleasant.

Positive.

Everyone in this group is nice & friendly, we all love the BBQ grill, beach toys & smiles we get.

Beautiful.

Awesome/relaxing.

Very enjoyable.

Fine.

Awesome.

Peaceful/fun.

Nice.

Wonderful.

Pleasant, relaxing.

Some minor male harassment but nothing too threatening thanks to Dave.

Today 7/4 it was a little crowded, but overall a great afternoon.

Remove young adults that are fully dressed.

Relaxing.

Enjoyable.

Great.

Good.

Great.

Great, Dave from Black’s Beach Bares took good care to make sure myself & husband were aware of some of the gawkers & ways to help them move on…

My first visit any subsequent has been great.

Great.

Very pleasant.

Good, but one guy was masturbating while a female was exercising in a way that overtly exposed her Inner, female parts.

OK.

Pleasant.

Wonderful.

Very nice.

This last time, lots of men standing around just looking.

Interesting.

Very pleasant, people friendly.

Enjoyable.

Spectacular, as usual. Great people, lots of activities, wonderful weather.

Very nice – I like the way you handle people who are there to “look”.

Fun, good experience.

Wonderful, weather is gorgeous – people are friendly & not too many “gawkers”.

The best way to celebrate the 4^th.

Stunning; fun & a few nosey guys.

Love the family feeling    BBB.

Great.

Friendly, inclusive, relaxing.

Excellent as always.

Enjoyable, relaxing, friendly

Fun.

Relaxing.

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Anything that would prevent you from coming back?  

Actual answers:

People with cameras.

Men taking pictures with phones.

Nothing at all.

The climb up and down.

The climb down and up.

Maybe the access to the beach.

Nothing.

No.

No.

A sting ray sting. Ouch!

No, I’ve been here every week since we 1^st found the group.

Armageddon?

I think another guy touching himself would.

Creepy men w/cameras.

No.

No but clothed men who walk right up to us to stare/talk are bad.

Bad weather.

I’m hesitant to ever return alone, but otherwise no, I plan to go again soon.

No.

I don’t think I would come by myself.

No.

The men that were obviously at the beach only to see women.

No.

No.

Yeah, if someone was to grab themselves or if couples were to make out.

No, but it does bum me out when clothed men gawk & stare.

No.

No.

No.

Nope.

I probably wouldn’t come without my husband.

Harassment from lifeguards or police.

Not really.

Lack of refreshments/ no restrooms.

No, as long as the group is here.

Creepy men masturbating & trying to pick up on women.

No, wanted to experience it once in my life, not sure I’ll come back. It was all about the experience.

My ability to walk down the mountain.

Not so far.

No.

No.

Obnoxious men.

Work.

No.

Too many men staring.

No.

I’m pregnant & the access is very steep.

The walk.

The hill!

No.

Getting a ticket or legal trouble.

The kids only like coming if there are other kids to play with. I’m still a bit shy to go nude, but I’m getting used to it.

No.

No.

No.

Fire.

Never.

Enjoy this beach.

No.

If I was harassed but that was never and issue for me.

No – bad weather.

Nope.

No – well maybe the cliff path…

Young adults who are fully dressed.

No, but I would hesitate to come by myself.

No.

No.

No.

No.

Except if it was illegal to be nude.

If I felt unsafe or threatened in any way.

No.

If it was illegal (i.e. citing people) I may not come back.

Masturbators.

Dressed walking men.

No.

No.

No.

Probably not.

No, but I would not visit alone.

No.

No.

Nope.

The climb down.

Blank.

Too many males (& few females) & too many gawkers.

No.

No.

Perverts.

Being in the group was key.

Only gasoline prices rising.

Only bad weather.

I’d never come alone & I always wear a swimsuit.

Increase in lewd & lascivious behavior.

If the hill could not be maintained or was no longer clothing optional.

No.

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What advice could you give to other woman to make their visit more enjoyable?

Actual answers:

Go with friends or significant others.

Have fun & keep the beach clean.

Just get naked.

Be yourself & have fun.

Be open minded.

Don’t be afraid to take it all off.

Relax & take your clothes off. A drink or two.

Keep an open mind.

They just need to come on out. We women need to populate the beaches more for our comfort.

Bring friends & have fun.

Stick w/the group. If you feel threatened, talk to a big bare and be social! Make friends & bring stuff to share.

Come with a friend.

Take advantage of the beach umbrellas or provide your own if you feel uneasy about men lurking on the outskirts.

Come with a lot of friends including men & female.

Be assertive if you get a creep vibe. Don’t be afraid to tell them to fuck off.

Come with a friend.

Just to be aware of your surroundings. It’s helpful to be around comfortable people.

Go with the flow.

Go there with an open mind. But if you don’t feel 100% comfortable by yourself bring a friend.

Make sure to sit w/or around the bares, they are incredibly friendly & fend off any creepy guys.

Stay with the group & only do what you are comfortable doing.

Relax & take a friend.

Be self confident & open minded.

Don’t come alone.

Lay with the regulars so they support you if there are any situations that are uncomfortable threatening.

Don’t be overly self conscious and take off as much as you feel comfortable exposing.

Be aware of your surroundings, stay with your friends.

Well I would just say that as long as they are comfortable they’ll be OK & safe – this group sticks together & scares away the bad guys.

Come hang with the bares – you’ll feel safe.

Relax & just be comfortable.

Stay near a group where it is mixed men/women, avoid clusters of single men or clothed men.

Just relax & enjoy your visit.

Bring refreshments and a good book.

Bring a friend.

Stay close to couples of near large groups of regulars especially women.

Relax and enjoy.

Let it go! Any attachments of thoughts to what they think, it is here.

Stare back.

Wear tennis shoes for the mule trail.

Ignore single men.

Look for the Black’s Beach Bares flag. (Yellow color flag you can see from far away)

Do what’s comfortable, start slow & more often you go, more comfortable you will get.

Stay close to other couples that will help get rid of perverted men who stare.

Come with a friend.

Stay by groups.

Come with a friend, find a group to be with, come prepared with water, food, and blanket.

I would tell them to come with a male or look for your group & to stick with you guys.

It’s safer here than you neighborhood bar.

Try it you’ll like it.

I’d direct them to the bares club here & tell them it’s a safe friendly environment.

Yes.

Don’t be shy.

Have a male escort.

Come with someone.

Look past the lookie loos and just enjoy the freedom and beauty.

Open minded.

Don’t act helpless, be able to tell men to leave you alone. Some regulars prey on females that act like they need to be rescued. Be firm.

Come with friends.

Come with friends.

Stay close to couples and groups.

Relax and do what you feel comfortable with – wear lots of sunscreen.

Relax, pick a safe spot – don’t come alone.

Go with a friend or in a group – sit near other couples to discourage unwanted attention.

Advertise it someplace, people don’t know about it.

Go to the bathroom before coming down to the beach.

Relax.

Stick with the Black’s Beach Bares.

Stay with a group.

To sit near a large group or around couples.

Join Black’s Beach Bares group and sit with us.

If you want privacy – just say it.

Coming with friends.

The people are nice and friendly, very welcome atmosphere.

Make sure to use the bathroom before hiking down to the beach.

Go with the attitude you don’t have to get naked.

Other women visiting alone should join the Black’s Beach Bares group for protection from gawkers.

Come as you are, it doesn’t matter if you thin or plump, people are accepting no matter what size or shape you are.

Come as a group.

Be outgoing and don’t automatically default to “fearful”. Anticipate friendships. Be comfortable with your body. Enjoy you own nakedness and that of others because the body is beautiful and natural.

Gravitate to a group – don’t sit alone.

Put your blanket as far as possible from single men.

Stay close to the Black’s Beach Bares.

To seek out the group for the feeling of security and safety.

I try to nurture family atmosphere at the beach, thinking that Black’s Beach belongs to everyone, all ages.

Sit where there are other women or you will soon be surrounded by men – sitting near yellow flag is a safe fun place to be.

Male escort – or sit with bares.

Go for it.

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What can we, as beach regulars do to make your visit better?

Actual answers:

It was fine.

The same thing beach regulars always do. Nice and friendly.

Talk to us.

It is awesome as is.

Nothing that I can think of.

Allow a few drinks (Alcohol) per person & provide a snack stand. (This was by a 20 year old; Dave)

Couples only club or area.

Maybe post up signs about the sea life and inform us of poisonous creatures, wildlife signs with info, up to date info on actual water, wave height, currents, sting ray and jelly fish warnings.

Nothing, we both feel very welcome here and most people are very friendly.

Doing great so far. No complaints.

You were great – thanks for coming up to me, it was nice to see another woman.

You guys are doing great. I wouldn’t visit if it weren’t for you. Love the community feel and eye on safety and comfort.

Advertise this beach to younger couples.

Nothing – regulars are very good at making me feel welcome and comfortable.

Chase away cameras/pervs.

I think it was a great experience. I know on day the trail down to the beach will improve.

Nothing, felt very comfortable.

Nothing – we made ourselves comfortable on the beach and had a wonderful afternoon.

Nothing you guys are wonderful.

Continue to keep your eye out for the unwanted people so we all can feel safe and enjoy ourselves.

Nothing.

Snack bar.

Help look out for others.

It makes me feel safe when I am encouraged to let a regular know if I am feeling safe.

Post a clothing optional sign at each entrance.

Not a lot – so far this is my 3^rd year and it’s great. I love coming to this beach even if my drive is more than 2 hours away.

You guys do an awesome job!

I think some self appointed “leaders” of the group are too aggressive and rude to people (esp. single men) who they think are staring at group members. On 4^th of July weekend, I was very offended when 3 group members were sitting exposing genitals directly at a group of clothed men who were sitting  on a rock near the cliffs. The “bares” were trying to intimidate them away, and I didn’t see the guys doing anything inappropriate. We don’t own that part of the beach! We need to be more tolerant of other people if we want them to be more tolerant of us, and to feel comfortable enough to join us.  Then, the BBQ guy confronted another single guy sitting minding his own business near us. Staring  is not a crime at a nude beach! Please tell the BBQ guy to chill out! Because otherwise, I like staying near this group.

You are a great community, keep it running.

Small beach café.

Great job!

Ask lifeguards to monitor the voyeurs and men there specifically to masturbate.

Nothing, - it’s great *actually, I don’t think under 18 should be allowed * that’s all.

Paint me more often.

Stay as friendly as you are.

Nothing, it was a nice visit.

Mandate nudity.

Very hospitable! Would be willing to purchase soda/water if sold on the beach.

Talk to other couples about staying together and don’t be afraid to tell strangers 2 back off.

Try to get funds to make the access less slippery and clean the seaweed from the beach.

Get escalators.

Nothing you do a great job – except maybe (unreadable) up the lifeguard trail.

Continue what you doing. I like that you stakeout an area, are welcoming to folks who are interested in the clothing optional experience, and chase others away. It made me feel comfortable and safe.

Lounge chairs that stay here.

You all do a great job! It would be fun to have some get togethers outside of the beach time to get to know people from the group better. We come a lot but tend to only know a few people in the group, or maybe have a bon fire night at the beach or meet up at the top for a party.

Nothing, everything has been great today.

Mine was fine, so nothing.

Nothing, your doing the best you can about the perves.

Nothing, trash cans.

Everyone be naked.

Keep making friendly contact – very welcoming and helpful.

Make sure if there are perverts, put them in their place.

Ask the city about easy access to the beach with parking.

Better trail.

Provide free beer.

Keep up with pointing out the perv’s. Nude is natural. Tis a shame some can’t see it that way.

Beach activities. Look outs are nice.

Not to read the riot act to couples who are close.

It’s perfect already.

Trash cans, bathrooms, cold water.

Discourage dressed people who walk around. Encourage to undress.

No need to change anything.

Cannot think of anything else. Having your info available is super.

Bathrooms.

Talk to people on the beach, say hello and let them know you are there.

Display leadership in limitation of alcohol consumption and cleanliness of the beach.

Can’t think of anything.

Sell water.

Everyone is already so friendly and welcoming.

You are all very friendly – made us feel very comfortable.

Keep improving the trail down, Signs for the people to carry out their trash!

You are doing a great job at keeping the beach clean and activities appropriate. Also keeping the trail in good shape.

Hospitality and friendliness go a long way.

Have more women come – urge women to be here.

It’s great now. Keep us aware of camera perverts.

I wish the food sharing was less meat oriented; cooking my food on the same grill is not an option.

Everyone is very polite. There’s not many places I’d take off my clothes in front of so many men.

Continue to let it be known that there is a safe and friendly area on the beach.

Be aware of gawkers and keep them away.

Port a pot.

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Anything else you might be able to add?  

Actual answers:

My cell phone got drenched by the tide.

The beach is gorgeous and I’m glad there are still people comfortable with themselves.

All is good.

Lovely beach! Wish there were more women and less sting rays.

Good times. Need more women. Awesome beach.

Thank you for maintaining the trail down the cliff. Also, Sunday BBQ = fabulous idea!!

Thank you for doing this survey. Keep it up. Your one of San Diego’s best finds.

Make it crowd with more young people so it would be more comfortable for other young people to visit.

Not at this time. I like that you are working to keep this beach open.

No one has ever made me feel uncomfortable. But simply due to the isolation of the beach, less lifeguards and predominantly male population, I wouldn’t feel as comfortable by myself. But that is again not based on anything that has happened or that I had seen.

It would be good if women on their own were more aware of you… The rounds you guys make are good, but I only found out about the bares on my 3^rd or 4^th visit.

Thanks for making the beach safe and fun! And thanks for the food.

You guys/gals are awesome!

Thanks for the info. We would like to join your group next time!

Keep making it fun!!!

Your web site is what made us feel safe coming here the 1^st time.

“Bares” are generally a friendly, welcoming group, nice to be around.

Will be great to make this beach mandatory nudity, that will decrease the amount of “visitors” who come just to watch.

I love being able to enjoy Black’s as a nude/optional beach and hope it stays that way.

Fun, peaceful, relaxing. I’ll never forget this day!

Ya’ll rock… Thanks for letting me be a part of this.

Need more women on the beach.

Thank you for everything.

Enjoy knowing people like the bares care enough to help keep beach clean and reach out to good people.

I really appreciate your efforts to make women feel comfortable.

We enjoy your friendly hospitality, sports/beach equipment and the communal feel.

Thanks! We love coming here.

It’s great.

Thanks for having us as part of the bares! I don’t think I’d like coming if I didn’t have a group to hang with.

Lifeguards were available.

I’m not sure I would come here by myself, as the lifeguard presence seems pretty minimal. It would also be great if the presence of women on the beach increased.

Any type of bathroom would be good. Even a port a john. Install an elevator!

Good job!

Great clean beach. It shows the good care taken to keep it that way. P.S. enjoyed the entertainment here! And the helicopter fly by.

I personally enjoy seeing more couples and family driven. I enjoy that I can feel comfortable in this environment of open nudity.

Never, ever any development; a winter nudist option.

Thank you! Great job.

I have been going to Black’s Beach since 1988. It is by far my favorite beach. I usually go alone and have never felt afraid.

Seems like you guys are a tight club and outsiders don’t feel they should intrude, in spite of the flyers with the invites.

It would be nice to have a fresh water source and regularly maintained portolets “port-a-pottys”. Thank you.

We are pleased you care.

Nakedness is a universal blessing we need to preserve.

Be prepared (water, umbrella, sun screen) – stay away from the perverts.

More women.

Who ever is responsible for the trail improvements… Thank you!!

Thanks for including us.

Over all I didn’t find anything surprising with this, I pretty much got the responses I expected. It’s nice to know that I do have a feel for what is going on at this beach. It did bother me to read that many women said that they would not come alone. Some said that if they didn’t know if any of the Black’s Beach Bares would be there that they wouldn’t go alone. I understand why many feel this way, I just don’t like it. I tell women all the time that I can go to the beach any day of the year and nobody will bother me, they should be able to do the same. I would love to see the day that women could go there and enjoy themselves and not feel like they are putting on a show for the gawkers. 

I wasn’t surprised but I was disturbed by how often the words pervert, gawkers, masturbators, and creepy clothed men were used. 53 of the women mentioned someplace on their questionnaire a concern with this. On a more positive note, there were many more positive responses to the various questions.

The content of this page is written by Dave Cole, but adapted to html by Lloyd Johnson.    February 15, 2007