TravelTalkOnline Forums Thread Like Summary - Change at Club O Beach

Posted by Cedrick on Facebook:

Hey friends,

We can’t wait to see you again at Clubobeach! To keep the beach in great shape, support our amazing staff, and cover rising costs (including beach rental fees), we’ll be increasing the price of the two chairs and one umbrella package by $5 (package will be 30$ starting Oct 20th)

Also, parking will now be reserved for guests who rent chairs and umbrellas to ensure you have the best experience possible.

Thanks for your understanding and continued support. Looking forward to seeing you soon!

Cheers,
Cedrick and the Clubobeach Team

I don't post very often BUT I've been relaxing on ClubO beach with the same friends for 35 years and $5 isn't going to change that.

It’s worth every penny. You cannot find that atmosphere anywhere else on the island. Club O May never be back but Cedrick puts his heart and soul into keeping the nude section of beach alive as well as all the friendships that have been made there over the years.
Some people just like to bitch and complain.

Definitely agree! We were there today and I must say it was very nice not to have the parking lot full of cars and have an easy walk to the beach. To many cheap freeloaders trying to push out the people actually paying to support a business. Let them walk all the way down the dusty road.

Regarding building the Perch Bar and Grill, it is not considered a permanent structure so it is allowed.

You say that the Copro can't get permits to rebuild but I don't know that is true. I'm pretty sure it isn't true. The issue is complex and while permit applications have been submitted in the past, changing rules due to the PPRN meant that those applications did not meet the requirements. I understand that the issue is still under question since the rules about what can be repaired vs rebuilt and what is required if you do rebuild.

Cedrick's employee may have been referring to the beach and he may not have accurate information either.

Orient Beach Club (OBC) is in liquidation (as it says in the article you linked to) so it definitely isn't making money!

Cedrick and Randy are registered business owners so I'm pretty sure they are getting the profits since they are running the businesses. The Copro has nothing to do with their business operations other than allowing them to use the land and that is so that they will continue to keep the beach for all the naturists that love it. That is totally in keeping with the spirit of Club Orient.

I like to stay hopeful.

I mean, its only $5 more, is it that big of a deal? Also can't you just bring you own towels and chairs and sit further down on the beach for free?

Got it, I wouldn't spend $0 to have a chair and umbrella set up but that's personal choice.

I don't think patrons who enjoy Club O necessarily pay for the actual quality of the chairs but the experience and friends they have met.

Hi there. I'm wondering where you get your information, sxmmartini.

Everything I have read is that the land is owned by the Copropriété de la Baie Orientale (for simplicity, Club Orient). For it to become public property the government would have to expropriate it and I think we would have heard if that happened.

The beach is and always has been public property and is under the purview of the Coastal Conservancy which has granted Cedrick the right, for a fee, to run a beachfront operation renting chairs and umbrellas.

A few years ago, the Coastal Conservancy required that the structure Randy built for the Perch Bar and Grill be moved from the beach and it was moved, with permission from the Copropriété to their property. It isn't on the beach.

As for the parking, I'm not sure where exactly you mean. Parking in front of the Club Orient chalets is clearly on Club Orient property.

Since Cedrick and Randy both have agreements with Copro (Club Orient/Copropriété de la Baie Orientale), I don't think that they can exactly be considered squatters.

I also object to the use of the term "squatters" as that is disparaging to two legitimate business owners who have done a great job of keeping the beach usable for naturists.

Sure, maybe Cedrick's chairs aren't all padded (not that I think that's an advantage with wet bums and lotion) but they are far better than sitting on the towel on the sand or carting in chairs.

And there is widespread agreement that Randy's Perch Bar and Grill is a great place for food and drinks.

If you have new information (not gossip or rumour) to add, please do so. I'm sure we all prefer to have facts rather than speculation.