Nudist beach Meerwijck (Nieuwe naaktstrand)
(re)opening surf and nudist beach
First nudist and surf beach in the Netherlands officially opened
Press release NFN: Hoogezand-Sappemeer, May 18, 2016
With the unveiling of the renewed NFN beach sign, Mayor Peter de Jonge officially opened the Meerwijck nudist and surfing beach on 17 May, the first of its kind in the Netherlands.
Mayor unveils board
In his speech, the mayor of Hoogezand-Sappemeer expressed his admiration for the beautifully renovated beach. He also freely admitted that he was glad that the nudist beach was not closed, as he had previously wished. The city council instructed him to first enter into discussions with all parties in order to find a good solution. He is very happy with the result, he told those present. In turn, NFN director Christine Kouman emphasized that this nudist and surfing beach is unique due to the joint use of two target groups, but that she also sees the future in this. As far as she is concerned, nude holidaymakers will share a beach more often in the future if this improves the quality of use. Surf and nudist beach
In the spring of 2015, the survival of the nudist beach in Meerwijck came under heavy pressure. In closing, the mayor saw the only remedy for the sexual excesses that took place around the nudist beach and elsewhere in the recreation area. Partly thanks to a lobby of NFN and swimming club NOL-Hoogezand, closure was prevented. The follow-up discussions showed that the joint use of the beach with the surfers would lead to a mixed audience and greater social control.
The beach has undergone a real metamorphosis. The new facility is mainly open. This is necessary not only to discourage sex, but also to increase the surface area. After all, more people are using the beach. The NFN signage boards with clear beach etiquette should also discourage undesirable behavior and make it easier for visitors to talk to each other.
The beach was completed in mid-May and grass and green areas still need to grow here and there. More greenery on the edge in particular will provide sufficient shelter and privacy. This should have been completed by the summer of 2016. In any case, this point has the full attention of the municipality and NFN.
Given the calm and 'laid back' mentality of both surfers and nudists, both groups will go well together. Together they have therefore ensured that the beach has been given a new face. For example, the surfers have set up scaffolding on the beach where they can set up their equipment or let it dry. There are also wooden benches and the field is brightened up by colored beach signs. It has certainly become more fun.
