I often get asked about my involvement with nudism and the nudist lifestyle in general. I have been an active nudist since 1999 and have many fellow nudist friends around the country. I am a member of the American Association for Nude Recreation and Paradise Lakes Resort in Land O' Lakes, Florida.
My first nudist experience was at Haulover Beach in Miami in 1999. Other nudist or clothing optional locations I have visited include:
Bonny Doon Beach -- Bonny Doon, CA
Naturally California Nude Swim -- Escondido, CA
Red, White & Blue Beach -- Santa Cruz Co., CA
San Onofre State Beach -- San Diego Co., CA
Torry Pines State Park (Black's Beach) -- La Jolla, CA
Our Haven Nature Sanctuary -- French Lick, IN
Ponderosa Sun Club -- Roselawn, IN
Caliente Resort -- Land O'Lakes, FL
Cypress Cove Resort -- Kissimmee, FL
Once you get used to wearing nothing in the water, any other way feels odd. For example, I recently stayed at the Tropicana in Las Vegas. I spent a day outside at the pool and decided to use the hot tub. Getting in the water was weird because it had been years since I felt a baggy suit fill with water and stick to my legs.
With that summary, I'll answer your nudism related questions.
I have a friend who is into nudism, and I applaud him fully. But I do not understand how you get past the point of feeling out of place and odd?
On average, are there more women who participate in the nude then men?
I'm thinking that, most people are not,....as attractive WITHOUT clothes than WITH...I would think it would be disturbing,..(to me) to see your average person in the birthday suit...lets face it, most people do not look like models and the "hollywood" crowd....so, I take it that that does not bother you???? :confused:
Quote from: Fatcats Mom on September 22, 2006, 04:48:31 PM
I have a friend who is into nudism, and I applaud him fully. But I do not understand how you get past the point of feeling out of place and odd?
How do you mean "out of place"? The people who are out of place at the nudist resorts are the ones who are wearing clothes.
Now, if you mean "out of place" as in society at large, it's not so bad. Perhaps here in Florida it's a bit more relaxed because there are so many nudist clubs and resorts located here. However, I made the decision several years ago that I was not going to be ashamed of how I spend my free time. Some nudists feel like they have to keep it a big secret for fear of reprisals by friends and family. I have found the opposite. Those who know are cool with it and never miss an opportunity for some good-natured ribbing.
I have an AANR bumper sticker on my car. I have nudism-related t-shirts that I wear in public. I've never had anyone say anything negative about them. They have actually been very good conversation starters.
Quote from: Bratalie on September 22, 2006, 04:56:31 PM
On average, are there more women who participate in the nude then men?
It's quite the opposite. There are more male nudists than female. Most of the females are part of a couple so finding a single female into nudism is extremely rare.
In fact, many clubs have chosen to limit the number of single males they allow as members or visitors in an effort to keep the genders balanced. (Some prohibit single males altogether.)
Quote from: C91 on September 22, 2006, 05:01:47 PM
Quote from: Fatcats Mom on September 22, 2006, 04:48:31 PM
I have a friend who is into nudism, and I applaud him fully. But I do not understand how you get past the point of feeling out of place and odd?
How do you mean "out of place"? The people who are out of place at the nudist resorts are the ones who are wearing clothes.
Now, if you mean "out of place" as in society at large, it's not so bad. Perhaps here in Florida it's a bit more relaxed because there are so many nudist clubs and resorts located here. However, I made the decision several years ago that I was not going to be ashamed of how I spend my free time. Some nudists feel like they have to keep it a big secret for fear of reprisals by friends and family. I have found the opposite. Those who know are cool with it and never miss an opportunity for some good-natured ribbing.
I have an AANR bumper sticker on my car. I have nudism-related t-shirts that I wear in public. I've never had anyone say anything negative about them. They have actually been very good conversation starters.
Ok, the out of place is for me. I would be dodging behind every fig leaf I could. That's why I say, I admire him because I can't get passed my hang up.
Make sense?
Quote from: Henry Hawk on September 22, 2006, 04:59:55 PM
I'm thinking that, most people are not,....as attractive WITHOUT clothes than WITH...I would think it would be disturbing,..(to me) to see your average person in the birthday suit...lets face it, most people do not look like models and the "hollywood" crowd....so, I take it that that does not bother you???? :confused:
It doesn't bother me at all. There are few perfect "10s" to be found at a nudist resort. (In fact, there are few perfect "10s" to be found in society.) Many say nudism is about body acceptance. I agree.
When you go to the supermarket, look at the people you encounter. You'll see some with a few extra pounds, some who need to eat more, some who are young, some who are old, some who are disabled, some who look like they've been kicked in the face by a mule, some who are drop-dead gorgeous, etc. That same cross-section of society is involved in nudism.
If we chose not to participate in an activity based on the looks of the other people who participate, we may just as well never leave the house.
I went with C91 and another friend last year to one. It was clothing optional, and I opted to stay clothed, but after the first 15 minutes or so, the awkward feeling (and the feeling of need for sunglasses) subsided. By the end of the day, it wasn't "weird" at all. I encourage everyone to go at least once, whether or not you take off your clothes, just to realize that our bodies are just bodies, and nothing to be so embarrassed about. There were people of all sizes and shapes, and various degrees of piercings. I think it was healthy for me, someone who has always had a complex about her physical shape even before I had 3 kids!
Do the men avoid the pool?
;)
Are there any places in NC? I, myself cannot get naked in front of my husband....maybe something like this could help me. ;D
Quote from: Fatcats Mom on September 22, 2006, 05:06:58 PM
Ok, the out of place is for me. I would be dodging behind every fig leaf I could. That's why I say, I admire him because I can't get passed my hang up.
Make sense?
It makes perfect sense. I was the same way. In high school, I was the kid who never took his shirt off at pool parties. I was insecure about being overly scrawny. (Kind of like the guy who gets sand kicked in his face in those Charles Atlas ads in the back of old comic books.)
Getting involved in nudism helped me ease those insecurities. After five minutes of, "I can't believe I'm naked in front of all of these people," I realized that everyone else was in the same state of undress and they weren't all that hot. Then I relaxed and began enjoying the rest of my day -- until the sunburn hit me.
Quote from: Bratalie on September 22, 2006, 06:21:57 PM
Do the men avoid the pool?
;)
We love the pool. Especially when someone puts together a co-ed water volleyball game.
Quote from: lumbilly on September 22, 2006, 08:37:34 PM
Are there any places in NC? I, myself cannot get naked in front of my husband....maybe something like this could help me. ;D
There are five clubs in North Carolina. However, only three of them own their own property. The other two are "travel" clubs -- clubs that have no permanent location, but visit other locations or meet at someone's home.
AANR affiliated clubs in North Carolina (http://www.aanr.com/stateclubs/aanr-nc.html)
Quote from: C91 on September 22, 2006, 05:13:48 PM
Quote from: Henry Hawk on September 22, 2006, 04:59:55 PM
I'm thinking that, most people are not,....as attractive WITHOUT clothes than WITH...I would think it would be disturbing,..(to me) to see your average person in the birthday suit...lets face it, most people do not look like models and the "hollywood" crowd....so, I take it that that does not bother you???? :confused:
It doesn't bother me at all. There are few perfect "10s" to be found at a nudist resort. (In fact, there are few perfect "10s" to be found in society.) Many say nudism is about body acceptance. I agree.
When you go to the supermarket, look at the people you encounter. You'll see some with a few extra pounds, some who need to eat more, some who are young, some who are old, some who are disabled, some who look like they've been kicked in the face by a mule, some who are drop-dead gorgeous, etc. That same cross-section of society is involved in nudism.
If we chose not to participate in an activity based on the looks of the other people who participate, we may just as well never leave the house.
I am definatly not against anybodys looks, but at the same time, I'm not real interested in seeing uncles joes sack hangin down past his knees or anut betty's boobs draging across the dinner table....ah...not knocking you C, different strokes for different folks....I just have a hard time imagining this as a 'good' thing....but, thats just me...
Quote from: Henry Hawk on September 22, 2006, 09:36:47 PM
I am definatly not against anybodys looks, but at the same time, I'm not real interested in seeing uncles joes sack hangin down past his knees or anut betty's boobs draging across the dinner table....ah...not knocking you C, different strokes for different folks....I just have a hard time imagining this as a 'good' thing....but, thats just me...
Well, at the same time, I would probably have a hard time imagining some of your social habits as "good things" as well. But, as you said, "Different strokes for different folks."
Along the same lines of body acceptance, I imagine it becomes a lifestyle to be a nudist. Are there certain social ettiquettes, rules or expected norms at these resorts and areas?
Quote from: SunnyInFL on September 22, 2006, 10:53:35 PM
Along the same lines of body acceptance, I imagine it becomes a lifestyle to be a nudist. Are there certain social ettiquettes, rules or expected norms at these resorts and areas?
While there may be some variance from club to club, most nudists adhere to the same basic informal etiquette.
This site outlines some basic nudist etiquette. (http://www.netnude.com/main/etiq971.html)
Great! It's always good to know what to expect...and to take responsibility for one's own actions.
I was a bit suprised to see 'Watch your children', children attend?
Quote from: Bratalie on September 23, 2006, 05:19:42 PM
I was a bit suprised to see 'Watch your children', children attend?
Not in great numbers, but, yes. Cypress Cove in Kissimmee has a couple dozen children that live within the grounds with their parents or grandparents.
The AANR even sponsors a summer camp each year for its junior members and awards two college scholarships each year at the annual convention.
Some clubs are better equipped than others to handle children. Cypress Cove has a large playground area. My club, Paradise Lakes, has little to offer children so it is rare to see them there.
AANR page discussing children and nudism (http://www.aanr.com/top_family_values.html)
There's no way I'd ever remove my clothes,but I would go to check it out. If I wasn't married :smitten: C91! :biggrin: