A call for unity (and nudity) in California

Reviving “Operation Handshake” and strengthening nudist bonds across the Golden State

Note: This post goes into the history behind “Operation Handshake.” If you’re looking for details about the upcoming event, or to RSVP, follow this link:

Join Operation Handshake

With DeAnza Springs Resort “going textile” last July, Olive Dell Ranch being listed for sale a few days later (since unlisted), and Lupin Lodge a few months later, the California nudist community is in turmoil. Members of these resorts, and of the non-landed clubs that often used them, feel confused and abandoned. But all is not lost in the Golden State. There are still landed and non-landed clubs that are stable and thriving, and regional and national organizations dedicated to the cause. What is needed is an opportunity for everyone who cares about social nudism in California and beyond to gather, vent and discuss, feel the passion that still exists, have some fun together, and help chart a path forward. This moment brings with it a call for California nudists to come together. A call for unity.

Unity events

There have been unity-focused events in the past from which Californians can take inspiration. In the mid-1960’s, the Western Sunbathing Association (WSA) created an annual event they called “Operation Handshake.” It was in response to members who “became increasingly discontented with the bickering and bitterness between clubs and associations.” The event was dedicated to the pleasure and practice of social nudism with full promotion of brotherhood between nudists regardless of affiliation.  

After a few “Handshake” events at different Southern California resorts had mixed results, the one held at Glen Eden Sun Club in 1969 stood out as a great success, though in an unexpected way. It was anticipated that the event “might have heralded a new era of unity and fraternity, pointing to eventual reunion of all clubs in one strong nudist association.”¹ However, it wasn’t the hoped-for “kumbaya moment” between the ASA and AHA associated clubs because attendance from the nearby AHA clubs (Oakdale, McConville and Sycamore Valley) was disappointingly low. Instead, its success came from the assembly of numerous Southern California non-landed clubs for a weekend of peace and harmony. Almost 1,000 individuals from these groups attended. It was a true partnership, co-hosted by Glen Eden and the (non-landed) Olympian Club, with every attending travel club cooperating in staging parts of the program. 

Another unity-focused event called the National Unity Conference occurred in 2015 in Miami, Florida. The intent of that event was different than the one held at Glen Eden: to bring leaders from the organizations together (e.g., AANR, the B.E.A.C.H.E.S. Foundation) to discuss how to collaborate to attract and educate the general public, promote naturism, and build bridges to lawmakers in order to create a safe pro-growth environment for naturists and businesses on public and private lands.  

The common theme between both of the two above events was the focus on unity. That’s what we need right now here in California, an opportunity for the entire nudist community to pull together.  

Bringing Operation Handshake back to California

I’m excited to announce that, with this mission in mind, we have identified an opportunity to orchestrate a new unity-focused event this summer, once more at Glen Eden. Observing the current unrest within the regional nudist community, Glen Eden’s management has reached out to AANR West, signaling their intention to actively contribute to devising a way forward.

From its founding in 1963 and the decades that followed, Glen Eden had strong partnerships with local landed non-landed clubs, and now wants to rekindle those partnerships. Hosting a unity-focused event this summer, inviting travel clubs to plan and execute parts of the program, appears to be an ideal starting point.

We are currently in the process of contacting local non-landed clubs to determine their willingness to actively engage in this event; a few have already confirmed their participation. There will be incentives for participating, potentially including those aimed at encouraging ongoing collaboration beyond the event. The most probable date for the event is June 15th. At this preliminary stage, we welcome all proposals for programming, scheduling, and offers for partnerships.

This is an invitation for everyone to contribute ideas, support, and direct involvement to ensure this event becomes a landmark in our journey toward unity. Let’s embrace this opportunity to renew past partnerships and create new ones, paving the way for a thriving future for our community. Your participation and suggestions are vital to making this vision a success. 🪐

Want to share your ideas or get involved with Operation Handshake?

1. Sidelights. (1969, October). p. 1.