Nude Beach

A great article about visiting a nude beach for the first time.

Like many people my friend D’s worry about being naked for the first time was being seen by someone she knew. The “what if I run into someone from the office and they see all of me” keeps lots of people from enjoying nature- without a bathing suit.

In this great article in the UK about a British couple tying naturism for the first time they had this to report when they took their clothes off for the first time in public.

“Your first reaction after disrobing is inevitable. ‘Is this OK? Is it legal? Am I going to get into trouble?’

You keep imagining a police officer suddenly appearing out of nowhere, covering you up with his truncheon (oo-er), followed by a public indecency prosecution.

What’s more, you find yourself glancing up at the people walking past, who are deliberately trying to avoid eye contact.

The British Naturist Beach Code (yes, really, it’s a thing) tells you to ‘avoid confronting or approaching textiles’ – the naturist equivalent of Muggles.

But soon you realize that no one is looking at you, just as you are not looking at them. The dog-walkers and strolling couples have eyes for the ocean, or each other. They’ve seen the warning signs promising Naturists Beyond This Point, and they’re still here – so they can’t care that much.” Read the full article here

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By Sue McGarvie, ago

Why being naked in nature should be one of your New Year’s Resolutions

There is a quote on the door of the outhouse at a nude camp in Canada that goes something like this:
“Nature is mean to be experienced without clothes. Until you feel the breeze on your skin and the earth beneath your bare feet you realize that life in clothes has been like experiencing the world through a dirty window.”

We absolutely buy into this philosophy. It has done a world of wonder for body image issues, in making friends, feeling alive, finding a community, getting rid of tan lines, and losing the uncomfortable, sandy bathing suits. There is a great list of why doing kind things for yourself should include a nude beach on pintrest. Have a read.
And know that it’s the most natural thing in the world.

“They basically have the same exact things going on as typical beaches, aside from the obvious lack of swimwear. Everyone, whether solo or in groups, was basically just doing their own thing. They were there to enjoy the sunshine, hang out in the water and feel the sandy beach between their toes… and everywhere else.”

If you want to try it with a group of kind, fun, happy people consider joining the Ducklings at Club Secret (and the nearby nude beach on Florida’s space coast) April 5-12, 2018. Here are the details.

By Sue McGarvie, ago

Best Nude European Beaches

There is a great article in this month’s Island Magazine about the best Nude Beaches to go to in Europe.

The challenge is the weather is only semi-tropical. Even in the south of Italy, or off the coast of Greece you aren’t naked in the dead of winter. But many of these places are magic. And great if you are dropping the laundry for the first time.
There is a beach represented in Croatia (still considered to have some of the most beautiful beaches in Europe), Denmark, and Germany (the very famous Kampen Beach, Island of Sylt, Germany).

The German beach closes after the end of September and is described like this:
“The island of Sylt is to Germany what Cape Cod or Nantucket is to the Northeast — grass-covered dunes serve as backdrop to the long ribbon of latte-colored sand. But because this is Germany, a country with a long history of accepting nudity, it’s perfectly natural to go suit-less.”

In Germany (like in many of the European countries) you can be naked in parks and in public swimming areas. But designated nude beaches are preferred if you are visiting from a different country. The odds of getting into trouble with the local establishment are low but why risk it.

With Italy, Greece, Portugal and Spain well represented on the list of the best nude beaches in Europe you might want to look into them if your travels takes you anywhere near the Mediterranean this fall or next spring. Read the full article here.

By Sue McGarvie, ago