Nude Recreation From A Woman's Perspective

Their First Naturist Experiences

It is Perfectly Normal to Be Scared

Prior to attending your first nudist function it is completely normal to be scared witless. If it's your spouse urging you to try nudism, anger is the normal reaction. Thinking that he is pursuing nudism just to see a lot of other naked women does not help either.

Your first few minutes may be difficult. You may feel vulnerable and ashamed. Trust me, the fear will pass and you will soon discover you are so relaxed you’ll even forget you are no longer wearing clothes! And you will know you belong when it is time to leave and you don’t want to get dressed again. – Julie

What If My Friends Find Out?

A lot of first-timers are afraid their friends, children, or relatives will find out. And God-forbid someone at work learns the truth! Of course, how would they know unless they were there? (In which case, you know their secret also!) Respecting another nudist’s privacy is important. Never ask prying questions (like, “Where do you work?”) or for a phone number or address. If the other person is interested, they will tell you on their own. If someone outside the nudist world confronts you, remember as an adult you have the right to choose any lifestyle you want. Treat the discovery as a great opportunity for a discussion about what nudism is all about (and what it isn’t.) – Nancy

Where Do I Look?

In my own experience (and many nudist women agree) a nudist park is one of the few places where men will talk to your face. After all, they already saw the rest of you, so there is no need to try to steal a glance at the boobs or genitals and wonder – they already know the answer! - Helen

From my experience, it is easier to engage in an eye-to-eye conversation in a nudist environment than it is with people wearing clothes or swimsuits. This helps alleviate the fear of getting caught glancing at the more intimate areas. Nudists don't find such actions offensive unless you are caught full-on gawking. If you feel this may be a problem your first time, just wear a pair of sunglasses. You will soon learn to adapt because, after a few minutes, your brain no longer notices. – Melody

It's the Greatest Feeling

While nudity was not practiced at home, we had only one bathroom so it was not unusual to see Mom or Dad going from their bedroom to the bathroom unclothed. No one was overly shy or embarrassed; it was just no big deal in our house. Later, I attended college in San Diego and went along with friends to Black’s Beach. From my first time there, I loved it! Since I have never had any reservations about nudity. I'm not sure what I could tell someone about their "first time" other than just do it! It's the greatest feeling.. – Lisa

Accepting My Body

When I became a nudist 20 years ago, I definitely had body issues as I was always about 30 pounds overweight. My first visit to a nudist park changed my perspective. I realized that no matter how "big" or "small" I was, there was always someone thinner or heavier. I suddenly felt much more comfortable with my body. Now I am always the first to disrobe and the last to get dressed. – Helen

Lots of people, both women and men, are worried about how they will look compared to others. I hear women say things like "I would have to lose 20 pounds before I would dare do that." But here's the thing: whenever you get with a group of, say, 100 nudists, you will find two or three that will make you say, "Wow, I wish I or my mate looked like that." You will find another two or three that will make you say, "Wow, I'm glad we don't look like that." The other 95 or so look just the same as you! - Marjean

The Freedom to Accept Ourselves As We Are

It used to be hard for me to understand why anyone would want to become a nudist. Being naked was always so embarrassing and uncomfortable for me, even when alone or in front of my husband. I made the choice to try nudism because I needed so badly to overcome the negative force that body-shame was having on my life.

Nudism is not about being seen; it's about the freedom to accept ourselves and others just as we are. We shed uncomfortable clothing to experience the joy of feeling the sun and wind all over us - not just on the body parts that society deems acceptable to be seen.

Nudists are normal people with jobs, families, joys and sorrows. We are young, old, thin, fat, Black, Asian, Caucasian, gay and straight. We are not judgmental about others, contrary to what you may think. We don't critique, grade, categorize, or dismiss you based on your body shape and size. You are what you are, and so am I. I am free to be who I am without prejudice. Body flaws and shame cease to close us off from living life fully because of something we cannot change. And in leaving that shame behind, we become truly free. . – Anna

It takes courage to push your personal boundaries and go naked with others. Not everyone is able to do this, but I invite you to try it and see for yourself. Your body self-esteem will change for the better. - Anna

I Still Sometimes Struggle

I’m one of those women who has always been on the heavy side, but I was lucky to grow up in a family that allowed me not to be afraid of my looks. Soon after I started dating my future husband, he revealed he was a nudist and asked if I would come to a local nudist resort. Believe it or not, it was easy for me to take my clothes off the first time in front of strangers. I know that’s not usually the way it is, but I just felt safe with him there, along with that inner confidence my dad gave me as a girl.

I could stop here and sound like being a nudist is easy. But, it isn’t all the time. Sometimes I still feel self-conscious about my size. I must tell you I feel a lot more comfortable and safe when I am with my nudist friends, because I don’t feel like I’m constantly being judged.

So this is complicated. On the one hand, it was easy for me. But on the other hand, I still sometimes struggle with the cultural influences that conspire to make all women feel that if they aren’t pencil-thin, there must be something wrong. And that’s why I keep coming back. – Cynthia

A Renewed Sense of Self-Worth

Many years ago when I was 21, my boyfriend suggested we go to a nude beach. I was always up to trying something new, but I was totally unprepared for the awe I felt taking my clothes off for the first time and feeling the sun, the ocean breeze , and especially the water openly against my body, and – most important - without anyone caring. In later years, when I met other first-time women, I found most were also very curious and up to trying something new. They wanted to feel the sun and the water, free of the constraints of the conservative life they that lived for so long. After experiencing the freedom of nudity, I saw many of them find a renewed sense of self-worth.

People that you will meet, for the most part, are the most genuine you will ever know because, as the cliché goes, there's little to hide, physically or emotionally. Nudists are lawyers, teachers, secretaries, students, grandmothers, policemen and many other professions. If you choose to take the 'plunge' and find out if nudity is right for you, nobody will ever be able to talk you out of it! And you will be gaining new friends that will last forever! – Sarah

Welcome to Your Body

Nudism is about acceptance of self and body exactly as they are. If you are expecting to find Playboy-perfect and identical naked bodies, you are mistaken.

Instead, if you would like to learn what real human bodies look like, join us. Each one of us is different. Intellectually, I had known that the path to peace with one's body was not through perfection but through acceptance. However, that understanding didn't move below my neck (my intellect) until I stumbled upon nudism. That is when my gut, my body, my mind and my soul finally got what true acceptance was. Spend time with naked women with mastectomies and men with missing limbs and you learn that we all carry scars.

Once I started, I couldn’t go back. For the rest of my life I will watch movies and ad campaigns and laugh at the sheer silliness of the illusion of perfection I used to believe, and the illusion the advertisers and media heads work so hard to perpetuate.

Welcome to your body! At first, it takes a while to get used to it all, but comfort will come quickly. Heck, wear a wrap as long as you need to. It will come off when you are ready. - Rena

I Wish I had Started Sooner

I have found that a lot of people don't try social nudity until they're middle-aged after the kids have grown and gone. I have heard many who tried it when they were already elderly lament that they regret starting so late in life and wished they had started sooner. – Vivian.

Nudity While Pregnant

I have experienced nudism while pregnant. As my body changed from a petite 120 pounds to a boisterous 175, I was far more uncomfortable adapting to the changes in my body than I was being seen by other nudists during those nine months. I realized that no matter what I looked like, others accepted me more for who I was. They were happier to get to know me as a person than to judge me for my ever-changing appearance. And now that it is over, everyone adores my baby boy! - Melissa

What Did It for Me Was Tennis

I had always been a backyard nudist, so the big step for me was deciding to be nude in front of others outside my immediate family. What did it for me was tennis.

Most nudist parks have tennis courts, and on my first visit to one of the parks I found myself courtside, watching what seemed strange at first glance: people playing tennis but wearing only their tennis shoes and a hat. Soon, I found myself in an easy conversation with others who were also watching. It seemed only a nanosecond later that I found myself invited into a doubles match wearing the same sun clad outfit as the others. It was an awesome feeling! Later that day, I discovered the park had a tennis pro who gave lessons on Wednesdays, so I arranged my work schedule to always get Wednesday off, in order to spend a naked day up at the park improving my game. I became so devoted to the schedule that a few years later I refused a job promotion because I would not be able to get my normal Wednesdays off.! – Lesley

Volleyball is the National Nudist Sport

I discovered that most parks have a volleyball court, which apparently is the national nudist sport. Be it on asphalt, or beach sand, or in the water, there is always a game going on.

What I discovered is that, once started, playing sports while nude is hard to stop. And no sweaty clothes afterwards! The sun, the grass, and the new friends are all important to me now as they are the perfect way to help me recharge my internal batteries whenever I need it. So if you come looking for me, try the volleyball area. – Beverly

These People Are an Inspiration to Me

It occurs to me that over the years I have seen few “perfect bodies,” but I have seen several who had suffered some extreme medical challenge such as a mastectomy, advanced MS, amputation, extreme burn scarring, or facial reconstruction (as a result of a car accident). Those people came to social nudity on the recommendation of their physician or therapist in order to heal themselves mentally so they could accept their torn bodies. Just quietly talking to them in the pool or Jacuzzi was always an inspiration to me. Whenever I feel self-conscious because I am a little overweight, I just think of them and their courage. – Leslie.

Don’t Listen To Your Well-Meaning Friends

I have always been comfortable about nudity at home, but I had never considered myself a ‘nudist.’ So when my boyfriend told me he had been a nudist for many years and wanted to know if I was open to the idea of spending a weekend at a local nudist park, I said, “Sure, why not?”

The day before we went, a female work friend took me aside and said she was concerned about the “path” I was about to embark upon. “Path?” I said. “Swinging,” she replied. “Isn’t that what this is all about?” Once I stopped laughing and regained my composure, I told her being a nudist has nothing to do with open sex or swinging. It’s about having the freedom to be accepted for who I was.

My nude weekend was a Halloween party at Deer Park Nudist Resort with Dave’s SCNA club. As soon as we arrived, we started meeting other nudists. Any hesitation I had about baring my body vanished when I saw the assortment of people: short and tall, slim and overweight, young and elderly. It all seemed so, well, natural. Nudity has an amazing way of leveling the playing field.

The Halloween weekend was great - and I left asking Dave how long it would be before we could do it again! When I returned to work, I told my friend of my weekend, and she seemed to be a little jealous of my positive experience. My advice? Don’t listen to your well-meaning friends. They really don’t know what they are talking about. - Debi

A Supportive, and Diverse Community

If someone had suggested to this shy, self-conscious young women from a strict Irish-Catholic family, that someday I would become a “card-carrying” nudist, I would have said, “You are crazy!” I felt horrified to shower with other girls my age after PE class in Jr high.

Then I tried social nudity (at first, reluctantly) in my late 20’s and fell in love with the liberation of being clothes-free in a supportive and diverse community. I have experienced much more staring at my ample breasts in the clothed world than I have ever experienced as a nudist woman. Actually the men I meet at naturist events have overwhelmingly been respectful gentlemen and “viewed” me as a whole person and not as an “object.” Plus, I met the love of my life at a nudist park! - Patty

I Was the Last Person to Shed My Swimsuit

I was vacationing at a resort in the Caribbean. The first two days were spent on the beach sitting in a soggy swimsuit and being chafed by sand. I signed up for a day boat trip and picnic at a beach on an island away from the resort. As we were leaving, I discovered that the excursion was to an island with a nude beach! I admit my first reaction was that this is something that was not an acceptable practice. I decided to go anyway, thinking no way was anybody getting me out of my suit.

I stood firm, and, in fact, I was the last person to give in and shed my swimsuit – but I was also the last one to get dressed to return to the resort. Why hadn't someone told me about this sooner?

Everyone will tell you that once you have made your first visit, the feeling of apprehension will vanish. I was hooked, and that was over 30 years ago.

The phrase, "nude when possible, clothed when practical," definitely describes me. I do wear shoes when vacuuming the house though, as I have a habit of running over my toes with the vacuum cleaner. – Cheri Donna


SINGLE ISSUES


One of the Safest Places You Can Go

Some people are worried that this is an open sexual environment and they will be harassed. Nothing could be further from the truth. Resorts are places where No really means NO and you are very safe. The men do not want to lose their club privileges. It's one of the safest places you can go. – Helen

No Means No

A nudist park is like every place else: people meet here, fall in love, and have children. If a man seems interested, but you aren’t, all nudist parks also have a rule: “No means No.” If anyone – ever - makes you feel uncomfortable, let management know right away, and the park will take appropriate action. – Nola

Some people are worried that this is an open sexual environment and they will be harassed. Nothing could be further from the truth. Resorts are places where No really means NO and you are very safe. The men do not want to lose their club privileges. It's one of the safest places you can go. – Helen

"Don’t Do Anything You Don’t Want to Do

Anytime anyone asks someone to do anything they don’t want to do, the answer should be “NO!” regardless of who and what. If someone is uncomfortable doing something or they are not sure they want to, then they should wait. But that decision has to come from inside one's self. A socially nude environment actually helps build that self-esteem so you are more comfortable saying out loud what that inner voice is saying to you. - Dianna

What About My Period?

During the first couple of days, I feel more comfortable staying home until I am able to control my flow with a tampon. You wouldn't go somewhere without precautions in a textile setting, so you shouldn't do it in a nudist setting either. Menstruation is looked upon as a normal, healthy function. Most parks allow women to wear bikini bottoms or shorts during this time, and some women just wear a tampon and tuck the string up inside. Either way, it is not a subject to be commented on by other guests. - Jen

NUDIST FAMILIES AND THEIR CHILDREN

Don’t be surprised if there are nude families with children wherever you choose to go. I always found it interesting how little kids take to nudism naturally without shame or a care in the world. Yet these same kids, once they become teenagers, suddenly get all confused and self-conscious about their changing bodies and come to the park far less often. Then at about twenty, after the hormones stabilize, they return but without their parents. Instead, they come with a friend or group of friends, anxious to share the experience with them. - Georgina

I felt very awkward my first time, but once I got comfortable with myself I realized it was no big deal. I enjoy meeting other kids my age at events. I feel safe here, much safer than at a shopping mall. The adult nudists always look out for the kids. I have only told a few school friends because I think many believe nudity is something bad, and I just don’t want the hassle of arguing with ignorant people. The few I have told, however, can’t wait to try it someday! – A.M., age 11

I have always been oversized and self-conscious. My mom suggested I give it a try because I would feel so much more comfortable with my clothes off. She was right! And the great thing is, nobody made fun of me or my imperfections! In the few years I have been a nudist, I have seen all shapes and sizes, and I am proud of the way everyone is just so accepting of everyone else. I am glad I didn’t wait to lose my extra pounds before I tried it, because I never would have come! And by the way, I felt so much better about myself after becoming a nudist, that it motivated me to lose the weight. Want my advice? Do it! - A.A.

Please, don’t worry about people who have concerns about you participating with your children. There is nothing wrong, and it is their problem, not yours. I am a mom and a grandmother, and my children and sons-in-law have accepted it and think it is fine! And their opinion is more highly regarded by me than anyone else I can think of. – Linda

HOW TO GET STARTED

Want to work up the courage before going?

First, try being nude in your own home. Try sleeping nude--once you get used to it, you won't want to sleep any other way.

That's the first easy step. Then, when you take your shower or bath, don't grab for a robe for at least 30 minutes, then an hour, then several hours. Do your nails, set your hair, write your email, or read the newspaper. I think you will enjoy it. (Be sure to always sit on a towel – this is part of nudist etiquette.) If you exercise, try it without clothes. Try doing the dishes, laundry, or vacuuming nude. It feels wonderful, and you won’t have sweaty clothes when you finish.

Then if you have enough privacy, try it in your backyard. Lay out on a blanket or do a little gardening. If you have a backyard pool, try skinny-dipping.

Now you are ready for the nude beach or club. Relax. You are about to meet your new best friends for the first time! – Gerrie

Overcoming Your Fear of Social Nudity

Many people have a deep seated fear of appearing nude in a public setting. In fact for many, it has been observed that only the fear of public speaking rivals public nudity for the power to induce sheer terror in the hearts of many of us. Still being nude in public holds a certain degree of appeal for many of us causing it to be an experience that some secretly long to try. If you've ever given thought to trying social nudity but feel that you are just too nervous to try it, allow me to offer some suggestions that might enable you to overcome your fear and embrace the joys of going au naturel.

Fear of public nudity is quite common and natural given that most of us have been socialized since childhood to feel that exposing our bodies in mixed company is wrong or even sinful. Coupling that with that the common fear of the unknown that most human beings have, one can quite readily understand why someone wouldn’t be immediately comfortable with the idea of going nude in a communal setting. Phobias are usually best overcome by taking small steps. As a child you first learned to crawl, then to stand, then to take a few wobbly steps and much later you finally learned to run. This is a good method to employ in any endeavor that you feel is challenging and just a bit scary. Take your time and progress by taking small steps.

Looking at pictures of nude people in public social nudity situations may help you to relax a little as it will help you to accept that it isn’t abnormal or lewd behavior. Many times it helps to know you won’t be the first person in the world to go naked in front of complete strangers. I don’t suggest that you choose pornography for this exercise as pornography is intentionally calculated to cause sexual arousal for the viewer. The very first thing one must do when contemplating nudity from a naturists perspective is to debase oneself of the idea that casual social nudity has anything to do with sex because that is simply not the case. For those who have no experience with being nude outside the context of sexual activity it is sometimes difficult to draw the distinction between nudity and sex, but just trust me you can learn to do so and many before you have done exactly that. There are plenty of non-erotic, non-sexual nudist sites where you can have ample opportunities to view real nudists in real social nudity situations.

Another non-threatening way of helping to learn to feel more comfortable with the idea of trying social nudity is to first learn to feel comfortable with your own nudity. It’s okay, we are NOT professionals and it IS okay to try this at home. Try to experience nudity outside the context of sexual activity or the context of bathing or showering, the only experience with nudity that many of us may have ever had. It may be for some that the first small steps toward gaining some comfortableness with their own nudity that they may be able to manage is to go nude within the safe confines of their own home. If that happens to be the case for you there is absolutely nothing wrong with it and that’s fine in the beginning. Just get completely nude and I suggest do some simple everyday activities while nude: Read a book, do some common household chores or watch television. I think you will be surprised at how quickly you acclimate to be spending time in the buff and perhaps even more surprised by how quickly you come to enjoy the feeling of being free of restrictive, binding clothing when you don’t have to be clothed. If you do harbor that spark of desire to try social nudity, then once you have become comfortable with home nudity it is time to push the envelope just a bit.

Most of us can easily learn to feel comfortable being nude in the safety of our home, but the idea of being nude outdoors is a bit more daunting. Still if you are willing, you can do it and learn that it really isn’t so scary after all. If you have a backyard with a privacy fence or an apartment patio or balcony with substantial privacy, you can try the next experiment any time without fear of someone observing you. Even those who live in an apartment setting and have a patio or balcony that offers little in the way of privacy can do it too just as long as you wait until it is dark out and perhaps a bit late at night when there are fewer people out and about who might see you. For the first time, take a watch with you and commit yourself to spending a minimum of 15 minutes nude outdoors in your backyard, on your patio or on your balcony. Then simply get completely naked and make yourself go out the door. While I have every reason to believe that you will have come to feel much more comfortable at the end of the 15 minutes than you might have felt at the beginning, you still may be left with a few reservations and that’s certainly okay. But for that very reason, you should really try this experiment several times rather than just once, and you might try extending the amount of time by 5 minutes each time you repeat it. I think you will feel much more comfortable than you every imagined possible after a few experiences with this and being nude outdoors will really help you gain some confidence towards trying social nudity for the first time. Actually, the majority of social nudity experiences occur in an outdoor setting which is why it is important to get a feel for being nude outdoors.

Finally, you have gotten a bit more comfortable both with your own nudity and with being nude outdoors. It is now time for your first solo to use an aviator’s term. After perhaps many practice runs, it is time to fly. Some might choose to visit a clothing-optional beach if there is one located nearby since this is a designated venue for nudists and one where you can go to experience social nudity for the first time. Personally, this would not be my first choice for a couple of reasons. First, clothing-optional means exactly that so even in the area where there will be people completely nude, you are also likely to encounter just as many folks who are clothed, if only in swimwear. The presence of clothed people will really make it all that much more difficult for you to decide to get nude. Secondly, it is an unfortunate fact of life that many voyeurs haunt clothing-optional areas and perv on nudists which is likely to be very upsetting and intimidating to the first timer. Even if they happen to be a good distance away using telephoto lenses or binoculars they are unlikely to escape your attention and the effects will be the same.

The other alternative is a clothing-optional club or resort. Here I’m talking about a club or resort that owns their own land and club facilities and where you generally find things like swimming pools, hot tubs, clubhouses, nature trails and the like. Almost without exception, the owners and staff of such clubs and resorts know that a person can’t overcome years of socialization in an instant and you should not feel pressured at all to immediately get naked. Oftentimes they will talk with you for a period of time, explain the club layout, inform you of activities available and review any rules. That is usually followed up with a tour and the whole time this is taking place you can remain clothed. If you feel too intimidated or nervous to go alone, try recruiting a friend or friends to accompany you. There is always strength in numbers. The more familiar faces you have to go through this with you, the more likely you are to try it and actually enjoy it.

Even those venues advertised as “clothing-optional” will eventually get around to the subject of you getting nude if you are a male. This is because it is the one sure way to separate nudists, even new ones from voyeurs and they want the other guests to feel comfortable by knowing voyeurs are excluded from the premises. Women on the other hand in these venues are frequently allowed to keep their clothes on as long as they wish and only expected to get nude when they are personally comfortable with the idea. Some women beginners like to start out with going topless for a while before deciding to remove the clothing covering their lower body areas. After a period of time you may find you actually feel a bit uncomfortable being clothed when nearly everyone else is nude.

While visiting a resort of club, be sure to participate in as many activities as possible. Enjoy the sun, go for a swim and try hiking on the nature trails if any. But also make sure to mingle with the nude people. Strike up some conversations. Once you see so many people around you going naked and not only feeling comfortable about it, but actually finding it enjoyable, you too will likely to begin feeling much more comfortable with the idea yourself. In talking with some of the other nudists you will quickly discover that most of the ones you'll encounter are friendly and welcoming. Be forewarned that initially your eyes will likely be drawn involuntarily towards the breasts, genitals and bottoms of others present and that is absolutely okay. Looking is fine and expected, while starring is not. It is simply human nature to be curious about what other people’s body parts look like when you are unaccustomed to seeing them in full view. But quickly this too shall pass and you will find yourself looking people in the eyes and concentrating on their faces while speaking to them. Also when visiting established nudist or clothing optional clubs or resorts, don’t forget to take a towel along as it is common and expected nudist etiquette to sit on your own towel while using public seating.

Once you gain a degree of feeling comfortable with being nude among some total strangers in a club or resort setting, you can reinforce this by making it a habit to be nude on occasion in front of some friends who won’t be offended by it or around your significant other. Even spending time nude in the presence of close friends you trust can make future experiences of spending time nude in social environments with strangers of both sexes seem like a much smaller leap. Some may even want to add this step before that first trip to a club or resort to prime the pump so to speak.

You can also continue practicing spending time nude in your own backyard or on your patio or balcony. This will continue to reinforce the feeling of being comfortable while nude and outside your own home. In time you will gain greater comfort with spending time nude and greater confidence too. Some people often reach a point where they are no longer satisfied with just spending time nude in designated nudist environments and that is okay too. You might pick a secluded spot for some new nudity experiences: Some nearby wooded area, perhaps a quiet and deserted meadow with enough trees to offer sufficient privacy or even a national or state park in an area with low to non-existent people traffic. You do want to reduce your chances of getting caught as much as possible when practicing outdoor nudity away from established nudist venues, because unfortunately many people are quite uncomfortable with nudity, especially the nudity of others and may become easily offended. Once you get to the point of trying these venues, I think you can pat yourself on the back and consider yourself a true nudist. Now might be the time when you are ready to tackle that clothing-optional beach if you have one available and the voyeurs be damned.

A few things to be cautious about especially once you feel confident enough to go nude in other than established nudist venues is don’t go naked anywhere you could possibly be observed by children. Outside of family-friendly nudist resorts, even those people in general society most tolerant to nudity are offended by anyone who would "expose" their genitals in the presence of children. Also, as mentioned previously, there are those in our society who are simply offended by nudity for a variety of reasons. It isn't the aim of any true naturist to offend anyone. While we enjoy being nude, we limit it to appropriate locations and circumstances where there is little if any risk of being observed by anyone who might be offended. It is always best to err on the safe side rather than running the risk of going afoul of the law by being a bit too confident and brazen about your public nudity practices. Now that you have the tools, go forth and conquer your fears about public nudity and learn just how much fun and how freeing it feels to go clothes free.

Young Female Nudists

Many people who investigate naturism and / or social nudity a little are surprised to find that (in Holland, at least) it seems to be something that appeals mostly to people over 36. This have not to be so, and it is something that needs to change in order for the pleasures of clothes-freedom to be available to as many people as possible. Young people who have looked into nudism and naturism or visited nude beaches are often dismayed to find relatively few in their own age group. Many  (most?)  others never even give the possibility of social nudity a thought since it seems to be so far outside the norms of society as they have experienced it.

Yet there are reasons why one might expect young people to be more inclined to tolerate and have an interest in nakedness than older folks:

1. Being naked is pleasurable and fun - and young people especially like what's fun.

2. Young people have the time and inclination to enjoy life and have fun. (They may feel that they have little free time - but they will have even less time when they are deeply involved with a career and have a family to support!)

3. Young people have had less time to become entangled in social structures that might discourage an interest in nudity (e. g. a career, the rat race, kids of their own, etc.)

4. Having had less time to internalize social taboos, young people ought to be more daring and more inclined to try new and unusual things.

5. Young people should be less worried about how their bodies look since they haven't suffered the bulges, sags, and scars of advancing age.

6. Young people are less likely to be in a committed relationship where the other person is strongly opposed to nudity.

Unfortunately for all concerned - both the younger and the older generation - there is an unequal representation of age groups among people who like to be naked, especially in social situations. And this under-representation itself becomes a deterrent for young people to become involved with social nudity, just as it does with other demographic categories, such as women. It hasn't always been this way. The generation of people who came of age in the 60s and 70s were more at ease with nudity (even though, statistically, interest in nudity was still rather outside of the mainstream). Perhaps this has more than a little to do with why this generation, now middle-aged, is more strongly represented in social nudity than younger people.

People in this age range can recall (if they happen to be male) when it was normal to swim naked at the Y. They remember, fondly, the clothing optional parties and skinny dipping that weren't uncommon on campuses in the late 60s and 70s. They flocked in large numbers to the "free" beaches - many of which still are "clothing optional", but rather less heavily used. How can young people become more involved in clothes-freedom and social nudity? Here are some general suggestions, both for young people themselves, and for anyone who wants to see clothes-freedom available to people of all ages. It shouldn't be a secret that only certain older folks know about.

1. No one's arm needs to be twisted to discover the enjoyment of nakedness. Just trying it once in a pleasant, supportive environment is usually enough to convince someone who has no entrenched hang-ups about nudity. The environment can be in the privacy of one's own home. "Just do it."

2. Keep in mind that the world of clothes-freedom, social nudity, naturism, or whatever it's called is very diverse. it isn't just one thing. It isn't (necessarily) a lifestyle you need to follow at all times. There are many different ways to enjoy it. There will be aspects of this world that are more to your own personal liking than others. Try to find what is right for you.

3. There are a number of specific, easy steps anyone can take to begin experiencing and enjoying the pleasures of clothes-freedom and social nudity. Here is an organized list of suggestions for how to get started that should be useful to people of any age.

4. Read and think about some of the reasons why young people are most often discouraged from trying social nudity. There are specific suggestions for overcoming each of the obstacles and deterrents.

5. Look for online places where you can discuss clothes-freedom, social nudity, and naturism with others, many of whom have useful experience. There are many alternatives, such as discussion forums, chat rooms, mailing lists, and individual Web site guest books. There are lists of such sites here.

6. Get involved with various online groups which are specifically trying to help young people learn about and experience clothes-freedom. Some of these are places with the specific purpose of helping young people with a common interest in social nudity make contact with each other. You'll find several such groups in the following list of external links. (And getting involved means actively taking part, not just talking about doing something.)

FAQ For Female Naturist

FAQ For Female Naturist

We've never been on a clothing-optional vacation. What's it like?

A clothing optional vacation is just like your other vacations - with one major exception - you don't have to wear clothes. A growing number of people are enjoying these types of vacations and a growing number of first class resorts are offering the option to go topless or nude.

Clothing-Optional or Nude recreation has been the norm in Europe for many years, and while a bit slow to "catch on" in the US proper, it is becoming very popular, especially in Caribbean destinations catering to American tourists.

It's not at all unusual for the first timer to be a little nervous getting started, but once they get out of their clothes, any nervousness quickly disappears.

There are two pretty good methods of going about getting "nekkid" for the first time.

1. A lot of first timers will choose destinations that are clothing optional for their first trip. Optional means exactly what it implies - you can choose to go with or without your bathing suit. Many of the finer resorts like the Grand Lido's in Jamaica all have clothing optional beaches. This way you can work out of your suit a bit more slowly until you are comfortable.

2. Just jump right in and "Go for it". If you have already made the decision to go to a clothing optional or nude beach you have already passed the biggest hurdle. When you get there, head out to the nude beach or pool, and quickly strip all the way out of your clothing, just like you have been doing it all of you life. Remember... All those other people are "nekked" too... so it's not a big thing for them to see you in your birthday suit.

What are the people like?

Just like you and me! In our travels to clothing optional or nude destinations we have met all types of folks including businessmen, entrepreneurs, secretaries, doctors, professionals, office & factory workers alike. The great thing about going to a clothing optional destination is that everybody is the same. Any pretensions of class or position are usually quickly lost and everybody seems to fit together and socialize together.

My body is far from perfect. Won't I be embarrassed?

If you're going to a nude beach expecting to see a nude version of "Baywatch" you're likely to be disappointed or relieved as the case may be. One quick look around a nude beach and you will soon realize that as we mentioned before, most everyone is just like you and me. You see bodies of all types, shapes and sizes - tall, short, calorically challenged (thin), calorically endowed (um... opposite of thin), black, white, brown and everything in between. Not wearing clothes is nothing to be embarrassed about.

Wayne, our webmaster, relates his observations about some of his visits to resorts that have both "textile" and "nude" beaches. He finds that the people on the "clothed" sections of the beaches always seem to be MUCH more body conscious than on the nude beach. Always tugging and adjusting suits so they look just right, while the folks on the nude beach are relaxed and comfortable. We have noticed exactly the same thing.

What's the difference between Clothing Optional (C/O) and Nudist facilities.

A resort or beach that is Clothing Optional means that you can be dressed or nude in the designated areas - your choice. Many first timers prefer Clothing Optional locations because it gives them a chance to "ease" out of their clothes. A Nude or Nudist facility or beach usually means that you are expected to be out of your clothes completely in the designated areas.

10 Things You Can Do to Promote Nudism

10 Things You Can Do to Promote Nudism

1. Join in any naturist organisation.

2. Tell your friends and family you're a naturist. Persuade those who have open minds to join you.
3. Write to your local paper whenever some naturism-related issue comes up in the news.
4. Write to government officials whenever some policy issue affecting naturists is being decided. (Such as the Honokohau Beach issue.)
5. Put up your own Web page about naturism. Tell the world what it means to you.
6. Get involved with local projects like a beach cleanup, efforts to discourage gawkers at the beach you like best, or activities to promote naturism in your community.
7. Network with other naturists over the Internet, using things like mailing lists, the Web, chat rooms, IRC channels.
8. Learn all you can about the history of nudism/naturism and the factors that affect it.
9. Work for responsible standards of personal behavior at any naturist beach, club, or event you visit.
10. Treat fellow naturists with the fullest respect any honest, responsible individual deserves.
OK, that's more than 10. And more could be added. But it seems about right as a place to start.
Remove Your Clothes!

If you've just been waiting for encouragement to get naked from a mainstream source, especially if you are female, now you have it. Nude-o-Phobia, which (very briefly) analyses the common fear of being naked, and offers a 5-step program to overcome it. The "5 steps to a more naked you:"

   1. Expose yourself. (Get comfortable being nude alone.)

   2. Get to know your body. (Pay attention to your body's sensory signals, especially when unclothed.)

   3. Look at yourself. (Become familiar with - and accepting of - how you look without clothes.)

   4. Move on to semi public nudity. (In commonly acceptable circumstances, such as a locker room.)

   5. Graduate to social nudity. (The real thing.)

The feature, of course, is about body acceptance. The message has been repeated often enough, that people, women especially are needlessly unhappy due to fears their bodies are somehow not "right". But this time the way to overcome the problem is stated very clearly. As the magazine's editor-in-chief herself says, "Go find a nude beach. Remove all your clothes."

Social issues in Regards to Nudism

Nudity Shame

Centuries of oppressive thought have convinced many people that the human body is a shameful, worthless object that should be hidden. Nonsense... The human body is one of the most elegant and valuable things on earth. There are few things in existence which compare to it on an artistic, technical, or philosophical level. Celebrate the human body.. It's one of only a handful of truly unique creations.

Embarrassment

Some people are afraid of running into someone they know while nude, or being seen by someone they know (or someone they don't) while nude. Remember that you will be around many other people who will also be nude. You may be momentarily embarrassed at first - this is normal - but as you spend more time nude, you will realize that if everyone is nude, no one has cause for nudity-related embarrassment. As for the possibility that you'll run into someone you know - well, if you like them, you've got something new in common to talk about?  Besides, what is there to be embarrassed about? They are there, too, for the same reasons as you.

Gender-Specific Embarrassment

Naturists know that both erections and menstruation are normal, so don't be afraid that your body's natural occurrences will offend other naturists. An erection is embarrassing, but rare, and easy to hide - just grab a towel, roll over, or jump in the water. Most naturists won't even comment about it. (Don't fear the erection your first time - most men will tell you they were too nervous for it to even be possible!) Women may feel uncomfortable being nude during menstruation. No one will be offended if women choose to wear shorts, tampons, etc. during these times.

Feelings of Inadequacy

Many people refuse to go nude because they feel that their height, weight, build, features, etc. are unacceptable. There is no need to feel that you must conform to a standard of beauty or acceptability, especially one you had no part in creating. Naturists come in all shapes, sizes, colors, ages, and beliefs. Naturists have even undergone surgeries, mastectomies, etc., and have the scars to prove it (many have said that naturism helped them further accept these scars.) In naturism, there is no ideal of the perfect body other than yourself. If you can accept yourself for what you are, you will have no problem overcoming your perceived imperfections.

Vulnerability

By stripping away clothing, you strip away the armor that protects you from an unkind world. Some people fear this. Naturists believe vulnerability is a good thing. Think about this: in a naturist setting, everybody is vulnerable. The shared vulnerability creates respect and caring for your fellow naturists. Besides, most of your vulnerability probably comes from the awareness that you are nude -- an awareness that becomes less important to you as you spend more time nude.

Fear of Sexual Consequences

Many people are afraid that if they go nude, they invite unwanted attention, possibly even rape. Naturists condemn sexual harassment and sexual assault, and are committed to creating an environment where women and men may both feel safe and non-threatened. Don't let this fear prevent you from trying naturism - harassment and assault are very rare, and are not tolerated by naturists. (And, by the way, naturists enjoy healthy sexual lives like most everyone else - but they enjoy them in private, like most everybody else.)

Fear of Gawkers

By "gawkers" we mean the people who hang around naturist areas solely for the thrill of seeing naked people. Gawkers are not a problem in most areas, but you may encounter them from time to time. Don't let them make you feel uncomfortable. Instead, you should make them feel uncomfortable and out of place. Either they'll leave, or come around to our way of thinking.