A wedding reception at a coastal Salisbury restaurant got a shock Saturday when two New Hampshire residents were spotted skinny dipping in the ocean off Salisbury Beach.
Salisbury police Chief Thomas Fowler said his department got “several calls” reporting the nude swimmers around 4:30 p.m. Saturday, from both beachgoers and members of the wedding party at the Seaglass Restaurant and Lounge at 4 Oceanfront North.
“Some people called from the beach that were offended, and then a gentleman who was the father of the bride called as it was offensive to some people in the wedding party,” Fowler said.
The Seaglass restaurant’s scenic view of Salisbury Beach and the Atlantic Ocean makes it a popular spot for events.
“It sits very high over the ocean and the back wall is all glass,” Fowler said of the Seaglass. “There’s really good views of the ocean, and, in this case, two naked swimmers.”
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When approached by police, the swimmers, identified as Zachary Tomko, 29, and Holly O’Neal, 20, of Londonderry, N.H., said they came to the beach to go for a dip, and didn’t want to get their clothes wet.
They were charged with disorderly conduct, dressed, and sent on their way.
“They were cooperative,” Fowler said. “It did cause a little bit of annoyance and alarm, and that’s why they were charged.”
Fowler said in his five-plus years on the job he hasn’t had to deal with a similar incident on Salisbury Beach, which is public, and hoped others wouldn’t be inspired by the bare-skinned antics.
“I’m sure there are beaches that encourage this elsewhere,” he said.
Ben Thompson can be reached at ben.thompson@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @Globe_Thompson