Tag Archives: experience

Nudism and Naturism around the World: Europe

While diving into all the content of our website for blog posts which we could include in our brand new Extended Versions of our Naturist Guides, we stumbled upon several forgotten ones from the early days. One of the first blog posts we ever published was called “Something about Cultural Differences“ in which we talked about nudism in different cultures around the world.

When we were reading that post again we felt that something was missing. Although the information is still quite accurate, most of what we wrote were things we had learned from the internet. Our only naturist experiences had been in a handful of European countries and honestly, we didn’t know that all that much about the global naturist lifestyle at the time.

Today, after almost two years of traveling around the world, we thought it was time for a re-write. Not only have we visited many naturist places, we’ve also gained a lot of personal experiences about how things are handled differently and we had the chance to talk to lots nudist club members, naturist federation board members, nude resort owners and so many other naturists and nudists.

It wouldn’t even be possible to put all that information in just one blog post. So we decided to split it up in three different posts. Today: Naturism in Europe.

Nudism and naturism as we know them today originated from Western Europe. In the first half of the 20th century groups of people from mostly Germany and the UK got together to enjoy being naked in the company of others. Without the whole thing turning into an orgy. Just like today, people had different reasons to enjoy nudism or naturism but back in the day the most common one was because of the health factor (both physically and mentally) which was achieved by being naked in nature.

Which seems like a pretty sensible idea in the aftermath of the industrial revolution.
Historians and psychologists don’t always agree about at which point non-sexual social nude lifestyles started to flourish and what exactly was the trigger for them to grow into what we know as the naturism and nudism of today. Since we are neither historians nor psychologists, we can only guess. Just like with everything in history, it was probably a mix of reasons, coincidences and being in the right place at the right time.

Continued…Read full original article…

Source: Naked Wanderings

Original publication 15 April 2019

Posted on NatCorn 2 weeks ago

experience, naturism

Reference to an article does not infer endorsement of any views expressed.

1,000 Families Project: Naked Among The Oak Trees—A Mom Of Two Embraces Naturism
In this family, mom practises naturism and enjoys hanging out in the nude with her two naked little cherubs. Dad? He’d rather keep his clothes on.

Never had I imagined I would become a naturist overnight. But after visiting Bare Oaks Family Naturist Park in East Gwilliumbury, Ontario, that is exactly what happened.

I moved to the area six short years ago, and must have passed the highway sign more than a hundred times. Each time I thought, “‘I wonder what it’s like, I wish I had the nerve to bare it all in public.”

Naturism—for those who don’t know—is the practice and advocacy of personal and social nudity. I would soon find out there are different degrees of being a naturist. Some people are recreational naturists, and others refer to it as a lifestyle based on personal, family and/or social nudism.

Here is how naturism found me. I had been passing that naturism highway sign for nearly two years until I realized that the only thing stopping me from following my curiosity was a thin layer of cotton fabric on a hot summer day.

I opened my backyard door and let the rays shine in. This day was too perfect not to be naked. I immediately packed up sunscreen, towel and, oh yes, my five-month-old son. I wasn’t going to brave this invigorating experience alone, and it was nothing he hadn’t seen before.

When I arrived at Bare Oaks it was like a hidden gem tucked away. There were naked people on lawn chairs, walking around, working there etc. Here I was in all of my clothing feeling more uncomfortable to be clothed than ever before. I soon changed out of my clothes and strapped my infant son to my chest in his carrier. I felt like we were in this together and that he was a shield from my body being completely exposed.

After only three short hours I was hooked. The people, the atmosphere, the sensations of feeling water, sand and sun against my body—I would never look at clothes the same way.

Continued…Read full original article…

Source: The New Family

Original publication JANUARY 10, 2017

Posted on NatCorn 17th September 2019

Body Confidence, experience, family, naturism

Reference to an article does not infer endorsement of any views expressed.

A Very German Idea of Freedom: Nude Ping-Pong, Nude Sledding, Nude Just About Anything

The first time Michael Adamski saw his mother-in-law naked it was awkward.

But it wasn’t as awkward as seeing his boss naked.

Mr. Adamski, a police officer in Berlin who investigates organized crime, first started going to a nudist camp at a lake outside Berlin after he met his wife, whose family owned a cabin there.

One weekend, when he had just about gotten used to stripping in front of his in-laws, he bumped into the highest-ranking colonel in his precinct — who promptly challenged him to a game of table tennis.

Nudists at a lake in Germany — Nudists at a lake in Germany CreditCreditLena Mucha for The New York Times

They have been on first-name terms ever since.

“Once you’ve played Ping-Pong with someone naked, you can’t call them ‘colonel’ anymore,” Mr. Adamski said as he prepared to join a triathlon where the swimming and running portions of the race were naked. “Nudity is a great leveler.”

Germans love to get naked. They have been getting naked in public for over a hundred years, when early naturists rebelled against the grime of industrialization and then the mass slaughter of World War I.

“Free body culture” — basically bathing the whole body in water and sunlight while preferably also doing some exercise — became the battle cry for a healthy, harmonious lifestyle and an antidote to a destructive modernity.

Mr. Adamski’s camp, founded in 1921, was the first licensed nudist club on a lakeside in the country. Nearly 100 years later, entire stretches of German waterfronts are designated as nudist beaches. There is a nudist hiking trail. There are sporting events from nude yoga to nude sledding. German saunas are mixed and naked. People regularly take their clothes off on television, too.

Continued…Read full original article…

Source: New York Times

Original publication Aug. 31, 2019

Posted on NatCorn 11th September 2019

experience, naturism, sites and clubs

Reference to an article does not infer endorsement of any views expressed.

The naked truth: At Conn. nudist resort, ‘You can’t hide behind fancy clothes. You have to be yourself here’
Dozens of brightly colored floats bobbed in the pond. There were noodles and air mattresses, blow-up fish and alligators, boogie boards and floating chairs. Children laughed and adults waved to friends drifting by. It could have been a scene out of any summer camp vacation, except for one thing: Everyone was naked.

“Floatopia” was one of several weekend events at Solair Recreation League, a family-friendly, member-owned nude recreation resort and campground set on 360 secluded acres in northeastern Connecticut. Solair is an affiliate of AANR, the American Association for Nude Recreation, which defines its mission as “to advocate nudity and nude recreation in appropriate settings while educating and informing society of their value and enjoyment.”

While most campers opt for total nudity throughout the property, nudity is only required in the pool and the pond — While most campers opt for total nudity throughout the property, nudity is only required in the pool and the pond SOLAIR RECREATION LEAGUE

I visited Solair on a sunny Saturday in the company of Nancy Greenhouse, a summer resident who volunteers as the resort’s marketing director. At first, it was hard to know where to look. But not long after I entered the property (having passed a sex- and criminal-offender background check), I found myself less focused on nude bodies and more focused on the heartfelt welcome I received from everyone I met.

Many of Solair’s summer residents are reverse snowbirds, who lease sites — small lots with cottages, manufactured homes, or RVs. There are also some 50 rental properties, including tent sites. Most residents navigate the property in golf carts. Along with the beach, the resort has a solar-heated pool, clubhouse with hot tub and unisex showers, open-air pavilion for arts and crafts and dances, and several miles of hiking trails. Among the large assortment of activities are pickleball, volleyball, meditation, yoga, horseshoes, bocce, shuffleboard, arts and crafts, kayaking, and paddleboards. The Naked Turtle Café recently opened under new management; David and Kim Brotzman, former chef-owners of the Main Street Grille in Putnam, are aiming to upgrade the resort’s food profile, with options like coconut mahi mahi and homemade clam chowder.

Continued…Read full original article…

Source: Boston Globe

Original publication August 27, 2019

Posted on NatCorn 9th September 2019

experience, naturism, sites and clubs

Reference to an article does not infer endorsement of any views expressed.

I Walk Around Naked as Much as Possible
I used to hide my body under towels, bathing suits, and oversize sweatshirts. Now I prefer not to cover it with anything at all.

My skin is happiest when there is no fabric trying to bunch into its crevices. Deciding what to wear is a nuisance, and if I’m bloated, everything looks strained. If I have to pee quickly, it’s pleasant not having to unclasp, unbutton, or untangle. Sex is easiest without clothes.

I love being naked.

BAILEY GADDIS

Luckily, I live on an acre of land and can walk to pretty much any part of the property without my white hiney and drained, breastfeeding boobs being spotted by human eyes (the squirrels can’t get enough). An unexpected delivery truck did once pull up the driveway when I was taking out the trash, my body unadorned with clothing — it was awkward.

I have no desire to join a nudist colony — I wouldn’t know where to look when talking to someone. But I do wish clothing never became a “thing.” At least in Southern California, where it is usually warm enough to make clothing optional. If we never became accustomed to wearing clothes, it wouldn’t be rude to stare at someone’s different-colored nipples during a debate about the weather.

Continued…Read full original article…

Source: Cosmopolitan

Original publication NOV 3, 2015

Posted on NatCorn 31st August 2019

Body Confidence, experience, family, home, naturism

Reference to an article does not infer endorsement of any views expressed.

We spent a day in Sandy Hook at NJ’s only nude beach. Here’s what to expect if you go

“Nude bathers may be present on beach” warned a sign near the packed parking area of Gunnison beach — a strip of sand and sea in the Gateway National Recreation Area separated from other Sandy Hook beach-loungers by grassy dunes.

The presence of nude bathers is the only reason my friend and I drove an hour and 15 minutes to Gunnison beach — the only legal, clothing-optional beach in New Jersey, a destination for naturists (another word for nudists) along the Northeast coast.

A sign in the parking lot warns people that nude bathers will most likely be seen on the beach. — A sign in the parking lot warns people that nude bathers will most likely be seen on the beach. Rebecca King

An impressive mini-plaza with outdoor showers, bathrooms and two food trucks welcomed us. Those trekking in were still clothed, lugging beach chairs and towels.

As the dunes gave way to the shoreline, everything looked like a typical beach. But soon, flesh-toned forms came into focus. Some were as naked as the day they were born. Some were wearing bottoms, no tops; some tops, no bottoms. Very few were completely covered by bathing suits.

The crowd was as diverse as the colorful umbrellas that poked out of the sand — folks of all ages, skin tones, shapes and sizes were sleeping, swimming, playing volleyball.

Continued…Read full original article…

Source: North Jersey Record

Original publication Aug 13, 2019

Posted on NatCorn 29th August 2019

beach, experience, Gunnison, naturism, New Jersey, USA

Reference to an article does not infer endorsement of any views expressed.

Naturist couple reveal how taking their clothes off helped them find contentment

A woman who has been in a wheelchair since 2010 said being naked in social settings has helped her feel good about her body for the first time in a decade.

Sixty-eight-year-old Joy Batley, from Wymondham, said she had always enjoyed the feeling of going without clothes, but had only felt confident enough to do so alone at home.

Following a period of illness in 2010, the former-nurse started using a wheelchair for mobility, and said the weight gain she experienced as a result had a big impact on her confidence.

Les Ford and Joy Batley regularly attend naturist events in Norfolk — Les Ford and Joy Batley regularly attend naturist events in Norfolk Les Ford

But in 2012, when she met Les Ford, 57, also from Wymondham, that began to change.

Mr Ford has been a naturist for more than 30 years, first experiencing the lifestyle in his 20s, when he visited Holkham beach, a well-known nudist spot in north Norfolk, while on holiday with his brother.

Since then he has been an active member of the Norfolk naturist community, regularly attending meet-ups at friends’ houses to play petanque and catch up over dinner.

Ms Batley said she was apprehensive when her partner first invited her to join him at an event, but went along out of curiosity.

She said: “As soon as I met the others I realised it wasn’t about how I looked. Nobody cares if you’re fat or thin, they care if you’re friendly. For the first time since I started using a wheelchair people talked to me, rather than addressing whoever I was with.”

Continued…Read full original article…

Source: Eastern Daily Press

Original publication 12 August 2019

Posted on NatCorn 27th August 2019

Body Acceptance, Body Confidence, experience, home, naturism, Quality of Life

Reference to an article does not infer endorsement of any views expressed.

Argus reporter puts on his birthday suit for Brighton nudist beach anniversary
“SOCKS on or off?” I holler through high winds to the photographer.

Off. I’m going the whole hog. It’s the 40th anniversary of the day Brighton decided to open Britain’s first nudist beach, and I’m wearing my birthday suit for the occasion.

It’s a nippy day out on Black Rock naturist beach. The few hardy nudists hunkering down in the shingle are loath to expose themselves to a fully clad reporter.

Argus reporter Laurie Churchman at Brighton Nudist Beach

So I’m meeting them on their own terms.

Kit off, I’m better equipped for the job. But I’m surprised by how quickly the thrill wears off too.

In the easterly patch of Brighton beach set aside for naked bathers on August 9 1979, between the sea and the pebble mounds that shield naked bodies from prying eyes, nudity is no big deal.

But in Brighton 40 years ago, it was anything but.

Continued…Read full original article…

Source: The Argus

Original publication 9th August 2019

Posted on NatCorn 22nd August 2019

beach, Brighton, experience, naturism

Reference to an article does not infer endorsement of any views expressed.

“From prudist to nudist: I got naked for a naturist swimming session and this is my honest review”
Stylist’s digital writer Megan Murray has never been nude in public before – until now, that is. Here’s what happened when she decided to bare all for the first time ever.

Everyone has had some variation of the same nightmare at some point in their lives. You know the one I mean: it starts with you walking down the street, or doing a presentation at work, or even back at school, blissfully untroubled by the state of your clothing.

Then, all of a sudden, a cold realisation creeps over you: you’re naked, nude, completely starkers – and you’re begging for the ground to swallow you up. Like I say, I’m pretty sure everyone has had the same nightmare at least once.

"As I’d never been naked in public before, and had no idea what to expect..." — “As I’d never been naked in public before, and had no idea what to expect…”

If you haven’t, though, I’m sure you can at least empathise – everything in the world around us has taught us that being naked is terrifying, embarrassing, vulnerable.

And, for most of us, the thought of parading down a poolside in the buff is enough to bring on a stress rash. So when I, a nude novice, was asked to attend weekly two-hour naturist swimming session at Energybase Gym in Bloomsbury, London (all in the name of journalism, of course), I found myself flooded with dread.

Continued…Read full original article…

Source: Stylist

Original publication 08 Aug 2019

Posted on NatCorn 20th August 2019

Body Confidence, experience, naturism, swimming, thoughts

Reference to an article does not infer endorsement of any views expressed.

An eye-opening hour at Kent’s little-known nudist beach on the Isle of Sheppey
The naturist hotspot at Shellness is a short distance from Leysdown

A short distance away from Leysdown beach lies a hidden stretch of shore.

For those in the know, Shellness is one of the most popular nudist beaches in the UK.

It is a true naturist hotspot.

We thought we’d pay it a visit to find out what it’s really like.

Welcome to Swale Naturist Beach

As I drove past the main beach at Leysdown, I wondered just how far down the beaten track I would have to go to find it.

The answer was a further half mile of undulating, pothole-pitted, tyre-scraping, off-piste road.

No-one would come down this lane by accident.

Parking my car next to a dozen or so others, I walked up the grass bank to catch a first glimpse of the sea.

The sea was not what I saw first.

Beyond a sign welcoming me to the Swale Naturist Beach strolled a man in nothing but flip-flops without a care in the world.

I walked further in to take in my surroundings.

Continued…Read full original article…

Source: KentLive

Original publication 6 AUG 2019

Posted on NatCorn 18th August 2019

beach, Body Confidence, experience, Kent, naturism, Swale

Reference to an article does not infer endorsement of any views expressed.

Could naturism be the answer to body confidence?
Robbie Gauld is softly spoken, and the retired grandfather can often be found exploring walking routes across Scotland.

He has recently returned from a hiking trip in Orkney and is the master of packing light for trips away.

Four T-shirts don’t take up that much space in his camper van, with the added benefit of saving on washing.

Alford naturist Robbie Gauld at home. — Alford naturist Robbie Gauld at home. Kami Thomson

His wardrobe may seem sparse, but Robbie seldom has cause to wear clothes in the first place.

He has been a naturist for decades and seeks out isolated walking routes in a bid to indulge his passion.

From hiking in the buff to pottering around naked at his home in Alford, not wearing any clothes is part of his daily routine.

Robbie is well aware that his hobby is perhaps the last taboo in a society which shares everything online.

From analysing our sex lives to joking about bodily functions, we’ve come a long way from feeling bashful about the human body.

Continued…Read full original article…

Source: Press and Journal

Original publication August 4, 2019

Posted on NatCorn 13th August 2019

Body Confidence, experience, naturism, walk

Reference to an article does not infer endorsement of any views expressed.

“Why nudity is the most important (and primal) form of self-expression”
“There is something ultimately freeing and grounding about being yourself in your truest, most natural form”

How often are you naked? And by naked we mean well and truly stripped of your clothes and shoes, à la Rachel from Friends dancing naked around her empty apartment.

Most of us probably don’t spend copious amounts of time in our most natural state, but being naked can be both freeing and an important form of self-expression – as Amy Redmond, creative director of club night Sink The Pink, knows all too well.

“When we’re naked we are literally stripped bare to the elements, and our true selves,” she tells stylist.co.uk.

Redmond has had plenty of experience with nudity, having grown up visiting nudist beaches with her family.

“There is comfort and nostalgia in remembering my grandma’s comfortable, soft boobs, and now I’ve had a baby and breastfed I have the same boobs!” she says. “Being naked gives me comfort and makes me feel entirely at ease.”

Continued…Read full original article…

Source: Stylist

Original publication 20 Sep 2018

Posted on NatCorn 9th August 2019

Body Confidence, experience, home, naturism, Quality of Life

Reference to an article does not infer endorsement of any views expressed.

I think I might be a nudist
I love being naked outdoors and I wish everyone else did too.

The first time I ever saw a topless sunbather was when I was 12 at Waihi Beach. A woman in her 20s was laying on a towel, enjoying the hot blistering New Zealand sun. She looked relaxed, happy, confident and free. Until a guy emerged from the surf, walked past and said “Nice tits.” and joined his son and daughter on the towels near me. I could not believe the nerve of this guy.

Lucy Zee wishes clothing was optional.

I made a promise to myself that day that I when I grew up, I would one day sunbathe topless in public and if a guy made a gross pig remark on my body I would tell him to go f… himself.

I’m yet to live out this dream.

To make things clear, I do love wearing clothes, I can’t stop buying them. I don’t desire to do my job naked, go to the movies nude or do my dirty house chores with nothing on.

Continued…Read full original article…

Source: Stuff

Original publication Jul 26 2019

Posted on NatCorn 31st July 2019

experience, naturism, thoughts

Looking at naturists can be life threatening – as I found out to my cost
All shapes and sizes of birthday suit were on display in a Berlin park one lunchtime, but their presence drove me headfirst into a kerb

Parisian naturists in the Bois de Vincennes have complained about voyeurs ruining things for them. Nudists have been allowed to do their thing in the park for two years, but it seems they are being spied upon. I sympathise, but also wonder – in the spirit of an age-old conundrum – if nudists in a forest are actually nudists at all if no one is watching them. If you are hidden away, in your own special area, you kind of invite fascination. How much better if there were nudists everywhere.

Naturists at Cap D’Agde, France, doing it in plain sight.

In 1992, I cycled from Hamburg to Zagreb, passing through both Germanys (though united by then, they felt very different), the Czech Republic, Austria, Slovakia and Hungary. I saw many wondrous things along the way, none more so than a small urban park I pedalled past in the middle of Berlin. It was a sunny autumn lunchtime and the park was busy with office workers taking a break. Doing a comedy double-take, I saw that many of these people had removed all their clothes and were sunbathing quite naked. All sizes and shapes of birthday suits were on display.

I managed to hit a kerb, come clattering off the bike and bang my knee without once taking my eyes off them. A few people observed me, with rather more interest than anyone was paying to the nudists. I went and sat on the grass for a bit. Before long, lunch break over, clothes were re-donned and work stations returned to. It struck me as a very sensible way of going about things. Do it all in plain sight, and take the absurd mystery away from the naked form. What purpose does it serve, other than help to idealise the flesh, when it’s the mind we should be attracted by?

Continued…Read full original article…

Source: The Guardian

Original publication 24 July 2019

Posted on NatCorn 30th July 2019

attraction, experience, naturism

First time in mixed nudist & textile camp
I was never before in a mixed nudist and textile camp. Until now. I would always choose an only nudist camp, but this time, this mixed camp Kosirina on Murter in Croatia was on the way so the decision was made: it is time for the first experience of a mixed camp.

Check out why I love camping, and why you should try it here.

I wondered how different it is from a regular only nudist camp? Will there be separated areas for nudist and textiles? Or will we be altogether? Will there be more nudists or textiles? Will the textiles react to nudity? How will I feel naked around people in bathing suites if that will be the scenario?

First, when we arrived at the camp and go to the reception I asked if there is an area dedicated only to nudists. The receptionist said that here we are all mixed together and can be naked anywhere except in the bars and reception. Ok, that works for me. So now was the time to find a perfect place. If you ever went camping than you know how important and how hard is to find a perfect place. The perfect place is the one that is big enough, that is in the shade, in the first row to the sea, close to the toilets and close to the power connection. After some searching here it was, the perfect spot!

While searching I have already noticed that nudists in this camp are not the majority. In fact, as I learned later, besides me, there were only several nudist couples.

Continued…Read full original article…

Source: Naturism Girl

Original publication 19/07/2019

Posted on NatCorn 21st July 2019

experience, naturism, thoughts