Naturism

OK, Before we start, this is a very basic personal page. It's simply a personal statement about naturism:
I'm an naturist and proud of it.

If you're looking for photos, I'm sorry, these pages will be disappointing.  In these pages you'll simply find my personal views on naturism

I've been a naturist for many years - and that is brave in North Yorkshire!  (because of the weather, not the people).  Unfortunately, opportunities are limited where we live. There are a couple of clubs around, but I really haven't the time (or the money) to get involved in the club scene. We did have one official naturist beach - but that was removed. It was, however, still used as an unofficial beach, but in June 1998 the authorities started sending the police in. So, now there are zero naturist locations on our coastline. In fact, the nearest official naturist beach (as far as I know) is in Norfolk!! Another difficulty is the weather - we don't often have lovely weather up here, and its even more rare that good weather coincides with free time. Free time!! What's that? 
How did I get into naturism? I've always wanted to try it - yes, even from being a kid. I have some very good friends in Bavaria. In fact they are more family than friends. I was staying with some of them in the early 80s and we went for an evening swim in the pool in their garden. They were already naturists and I finally had the opportunity. I've never looked back. I just wish I had more time and opportunity now. The three aspects which, to me, are most important are: 
 

  • the feeling of freedom 
  • there are no 'body police' - nobody bothers how you look. It certainly is not about the body beautiful (a damn good job from my point of view!) 
  • pretensions seem to fall away with the clothes - most naturists are very genuine people 

Unfortunately, here in Britain most people seem to be far too repressed and to be far too self conscious. There are a lot of misconceptions about naturism. This attitude was also demonstrated by the media reaction to the Channel 5 Naturist week programmes, in particular the game show Naked Jungle. Most of the media feedback I read took the line about lowering of standards and equated it with pornography and titillation. One writer in the Daily Mail even wrote something along the lines of how it would be harder to find anything less exciting and erotic. Surely that shows the misunderstandings with which we have to cope - naturism isn't meant to be titillating and erotic. Another letter writer, obviously a textile, criticised the participants for not having perfect and attractive bodies. Yet another victim of the body police. It does seem to be something peculiarly British.  They seem to have a much healthier attitude on the continent.  I remember being in the English Garden in Munich.  There is a narrow beck running through the middle.  One side of the beck is textile and the other side is naturist - and no-one bats an eyelid! 

Naturism does seem to be on the rise in the UK according to figures from the British Naturist Society so maybe attitudes are changing for the better, although there are still a lot of people with such repressed attitudes and therefore some people who would like to try it feel intimidated.  Apparently it soared during lockdown!
Sorry, I could go on about this for ages but there are other people on the web who explain the philosophy much better than I currently have the time to do.

We can but hope that attitudes will change for the better 

Naturist Links

Erich Geier - a good site (in German) with lots of arguments in favour of naturism
NetNude - comprehensive on-line naturist resource with chat rooms, resort reports, message board, links, etc
Clothes Free - aiming to be a leading force in promoting body acceptance and clothes free recreation.
British Naturism - UK national naturist organisation
Barefooters - I prefer to go bare everything as opposed to simply barefoot, but sometimes (most times in fact) it isn't possible or appropriate to go nude so bare foot is the next best thing. But even bare foot is frowned on in some circles. It seems we just can't win ...
Naturism on Wikiepedia
Fédération des espaces naturistes - they have a page (in English) with 10 tips for beginners
British Naturism on FaceBook
Naturist Smoothies - they also have a page with naturism FAQs

Naturist FAQs

I've always fancied trying naturism, but don't know how to get started


Everybody is different. Some people will prefer the anonymity of a naturist beach, others will prefer the secure environment of stripping off with friends. Others will prefer the anonymity but security of a closed environment like a club. I would suggest that you start by being naked on your own - in your home. Don't wrap yourself in a towel when you go from the bathroom to the bedroom. Is your garden private? If it is, try sunbathing in the nude. When you are ready to be socially naked decide if you would rather be in an anonymous enviornment or need the security of friends. Sometimes the opportunity just presents itself - eg an evening barbecue by a river and later on some people go skinny-dipping, or you find you are on a secluded beach. It is not a big deal. In a nutshell, how you get started is to take your clothes off - and you're a naturist. There, it's easy isn't it?


How do I tell people I'm a naturist?


Just be open about it - it isn't a big deal and if anyone has a problem, it is their problem. I can only think of one exception to this, and that is where you work with children, not because there is anything wrong with being a naturist but this is an area where other people's prejudice could cause a problem. For example I know teachers who are naturists who do not let it be common knowledge in the staffroom. I used to be a teacher and I never made any secret of it, but that is now 15 years ago and the climate had changed. I now work in an office environment and in all the places I have worked and in social circles I find that responses fall into distinct categories.
'I am too. I just haven't told anyone about it'
In every place I have worked there has been at least one such response

'I would love to do that. I just haven't dared'
You'd be surprised how many responses like this I get. In the end, quite a few of these people join us.

'I don't know if I could do that. It wouldn't bother me if I someone else were naked, but I'm not sure if I could do it'
And you'd be surprised how many of these people, when they find they are in a 'clothing optional' environment, end up stripping off

Totally anti
These people just can't handle it and wouldn't even be happy in an environment where they are dressed and we are naked. If we go to a swimming pool, these people would not join us in the family cubicle but would have to have a cubicle to themselves.

I find that the 'antis' are a tiny minority. I have only met four. I am totally open about my naturism and find that reaction is very positive. OK, I get a bit of teasing, but it is not malicious and I don't mind having the p**s taken out of me. After all, as I keep saying, it's no big deal!


What if I get an erection?


This is a common fear for men starting naturism. As you have guessed, as naturism is not a sexual experience erections are not welcome and are not part of naturist etiquette. But you will find that it probably is not the problem you think it will be - as I said, naturism isn't about sex and you will see bodies of all shapes and sizes and you will become very blasé about it all. If you find you do get an erection in the early days, simply roll over onto your stomach or jump into the pool until the problem has passed.


How do I persuade my wife to join in?

Be open about it - as above. See if there is a naturist beach - you go naked and she doesn't have to. You might well find that she ends up joining in. As it is something totally natural - treat it as such. If there is still a problem there are many sites on the web which deal with naturism specifically from a female point of view. You could show her some of those.

Patti Logan - this would be an excellent starting point