The Nudist Resort (Q&As)

[C91]

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.

[Fatcats Mom]

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?

[Bratalie]

On average, are there more women who participate in the nude then men?

[Henry Hawk]

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????

[C91]

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.  

[C91]

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.)

[Fatcats Mom]

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?

[C91]

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????

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.

[~Daisy~]

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!

[Bratalie]

Do the men avoid the pool?   

[lumbilly]

Are there any places in NC? I, myself cannot get naked in front of my husband....maybe something like this could help me.

[C91]

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.

[C91]

Do the men avoid the pool?   

We love the pool.  Especially when someone puts together a co-ed water volleyball game.

[C91]

Are there any places in NC? I, myself cannot get naked in front of my husband....maybe something like this could help me.

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

[Henry Hawk]

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????

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...