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Dispute Between Swingers, Nudists More Than Skin Deep

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By JEFF PATTERSON

News Channel 8

Published: July 29, 2008

LAND O' LAKES - At the entrance, there are palm trees, a waterfall and a security guard. Most people will never see behind the 20-foot-tall concrete block walls of Caliente.

But recent events behind those walls are drawing attention, even from longtime residents of the nudist resort in Pasco County.

A marketing campaign targeted to appeal to a younger crowd has upset some homeowners — especially once-a-month theme parties that are primarily attended by a group that freely admit they are swingers.

"We decided that we want to attract a young, upscale, hip crowd, and we thought the best way we could do that was to give them a theme so they could dress in costume," Caliente spokeswoman Angye Fox said.

Fox allowed News Channel 8 to cover one recent party, which featured a young, attractive crowd. Guests appeared to be in their mid-20s or early 30s. Some wore costumes and masks, like in the Stanley Kubrick film "Eyes Wide Shut." Some guests were partially clothed; some wore no clothing.

Guests are not allowed to engage in sex at the party or in the common areas of the resort, but Fox and the swingers said what goes on behind closed doors in homes or at the resort's 40-room hotel is their business.

More than 1,200 people paid to get into the event, Fox said. Of those, more than 500 belong to a local swingers group, she said. The monthly events are a huge success for the resort, and it doesn't plan to stop them anytime soon, Fox said.

Residents of Caliente said they fear the parties are bringing down property values. Some homes are valued at more than $1 million, Fox said. Residents also say they feel uncomfortable with the swingers because they wear clothes to the theme parties, and the nudists believe everyone at the resort should be naked. Some homeowners have even hired a lawyer to express dissatisfaction with the presence of the swingers.

Local lawyer Ann Hathorn sent a letter to the owners of Caliente advising them of the homeowners' concerns. Hathorn now says the homeowners have asked her not to comment to the media.

The community in Pasco County opened in 2004, and owners describe Caliente as a "very upscale, clothing-optional resort." Signs at Caliente remind residents that they must be nude while at the resort's pools.

"You just have to skinny-dip, that's it," Fox said. "Everywhere else, you can wear clothing."

News Channel 8 reporter Jeff Patterson can be reached at (813) 221-5703 or jpatterson@wfla.com.

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