GENERAL QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
What is naturism?
What
is the difference between a nudist and a naturist?
Who are naturists?
What do naturists mean when they talk about "social nudity" and
"nude recreation"?
Is
naturism offensive?
Is social naturism legal?
What is
the difference between a club and a free beach?
Beach
vs Club?
Club
vs Beach?
Are there other groups apart from
clubs where I can practise naturism?
I don’t have to join a
naturist club to be a naturist, do I?
What is
the difference between exhibitionism and naturism?
Do people go
naked all the time at a naturist venue?
Nudity must be sexual – right?
How do I become a naturist?
Do clubs welcome single people or just couples?
What should I take with me to a
naturist club?
Are there any special rules?
Concerns about naturism
Will I have to undress as soon as I
arrive?
What if I’m ready to
join but my spouse (partner, or friend) isn’t?
What if I
meet my neighbour or boss at a naturist club?
What will my friends and families
say if they find out I am a naturist?
My friends might think I
am mixing with undesirables if I say I am a naturist.
What if I get an erection?
Doesn’t communal
nakedness cause sexual excitement?
What do I do if I am menstruating?
My body isn’t perfect and I’m
embarrassed about it.
How do we get over our
inhibitions?
What about the dangers of the sun?
FAMILIES AND NATURISM
Is naturism appropriate
for families?
Is
naturism good for children?
Is naturism safe for children?
FREQUENTLY
ASKED QUESTIONS
GENERAL QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS
What
is naturism?
"Naturism is a way of life in harmony with nature,
characterized by the practice of communal nudity, with the intention of
encouraging respect for oneself, respect for others and for the environment."
(International Naturist
Federation)
Naturism is the practice of going nude, especially in
a mixed social setting and is a lifestyle choice. It is a feeling of freedom
and for many, social nudity is personally liberating. Through it, we come not
only to accept ourselves but others.
What is the difference between a
nudist and a naturist?
No difference really. But the words
relate to two different philosophies which have nudity in common. Naturists are
defined as having a broader philosophy which encompasses a more holistic
approach to being naked. In contrast, a nudist is a person who just likes to be
naked.
Who are naturists?
Broadly
speaking, anyone who practices nude recreation, social nudity, or both. There
are millions of naturists worldwide. No longer confined to small, secretive
enclaves, today’s naturists have a variety of recreational and social outlets,
whether it be in clubs, saunas or at the beach. There are naturists from all
professions and occupations. Naturists are a cross-section of society. Some are
young, some are older. Some are married, some are not. Some have strong
religious beliefs whilst others have none.
What do naturists mean
when they talk about "social nudity" and "nude recreation"?
When naturists talk about "social nudity" and "nude recreation"
they mean just that—naked group social activities. At a club, many play sport,
including volleyball, petanque, tenniquoits or the naturists’ version of tennis
– miniten. Others mow the lawn around their campsite or cabin, do the housework
or just relax with a good book. For the more adventurous, there are nude tramps,
kayaking, and scuba diving — even skydiving. Most things that can be done
clothed can be done unclothed—and usually it’s a lot more enjoyable.
Is naturism offensive?
It
is hard to believe that some people do find something as natural as a naked
body offensive. It is probably more embarrassment that they are experiencing.
But the philosophy of naturism is not to offend.
Is
social naturism legal?
In
What is the difference between a
club and a free beach?
Free
beaches are public areas which have become nude through use by naturists, and
thus do not require membership. Clubs are private grounds which are owned by
the members and therefore have their own rules. Most clubs will allow you two
or three visits before you need to decide whether to join or not. Once you
belong to a club, you are given an International Naturist Federation passport,
which allows you to visit any club worldwide. As clubs are owned by their
members, it is common etiquette that you phone before visiting and pay any fees.
Fewer rules
Less expensive
Bigger range of people (not all known to everyone)
Clothing optional
Sand in the volleyball court!
Members screened, so a safer environment
Regular members who make it easier to make lasting
friendships
Clubhouses, pools, spas, and other amenities
No sand to get into everything
Indoor spaces when the weather gets bad
Social activities
Are there other groups apart from
clubs where I can participate in social naturism?
In
I don’t have to join a
naturist club to be a naturist, do I?
Of course not, but the naturist experience is greatly enhanced by joining a
club. Compared to some other clubs, the fees are cheaper and the facilities better.
Have you ever seen a swimming pool, spa or sauna at a golf club, where you pay
a far higher fee than at a naturist club?
What is the difference between
exhibitionism and naturism?
An
exhibitionist will expose their body to shock others or seek attention.
Naturists do not agree with this type of behaviour. An exhibitionist will soon
lose interest at a naturist club as the “Wow – look at me” factor is
non-existent. Naturists just enjoy being nude.
Do people go
naked all the time at a naturist venue?
Certainly not. When the weather is bad, or you are performing some task where clothing is required for protection, or you are getting sunburnt, it is perfectly normal and sensible to wear something. We all have different tolerances to heat and cold. Naturists go without clothes when it is sensible to do so, e.g. when swimming, playing sport, or just relaxing. Women when menstruating often wear shorts or a sarong and can do so without any problem.
Nudity must be sexual – right?
Wrong!
The public have a misconception that nakedness must be sexual as most people
only undress to take a shower or have sex. But naturists know there are other
situations (i.e. normal daily life) where you can be naked and feel good
without it being sexual. Naturists are not against sexuality but agree that
there are appropriate times and places to experience it. A totally naked body
is less sexual than a person wearing a skimpy bikini or G-string and people
will always find others attractive, whether they are dressed or not.
How do I become a naturist?
Perhaps the best way to become a naturist is with the help of a friend or
spouse who is a naturist. Another option is to contact a naturist venue near
you from this web page and arrange for a visit (see
Naturist Locations in
Do clubs welcome single people or
just couples?
Most clubs have a number of single members. But to
maintain a balance of gender, all clubs have various rules about their
membership demographics, so you should contact the appropriate club to find out
their stance on this.
What should I take with me to a
naturist venue?
The
same things you would take when going to the beach (except a bathing suit)!
Also some warm clothes (in case of a change in the weather) and of course an
open mind.
Are there any special rules?
The same
rules apply in the naturist environment as in the clothed environment. Always
respect the rights of others. When visiting a club, as when visiting others
homes, respect their rules.
Always
carry a towel with you to sit on.
Don’t
stare at others. When talking to others, act just as you would if they were
dressed.
Don’t
engage in overt sexual activity.
Many clubs
do not allow cameras or camera cell phones, so check out their rules before
visiting. Always ask the permission of subjects in the photo BEFORE taking the
snap.
Get
dressed when leaving the club. Naturists are not trying to offend anyone.
Respect people’s
property.
Respect
people’s privacy. Many people go to their club to relax. Be friendly but not
overbearing.
Report any
misconduct to a member of the club committee.
CONCERNS ABOUT NATURISM
Will I have to undress as soon as I
arrive?
Most
clubs allow newcomers several visits to get used to the joys of naturism. But the
expectation is that when suitable weather conditions prevail and you feel
comfortable, you will shed your clothes. Naturist clubs do not usually allow
bathing suits to be worn in the pool, spa or sauna. But once you have
experienced the joy of swimming naked you won’t want to wear them anyway. On
naturist beaches, there is no expectation to undress, since they are clothing-optional.
But if you go there and remain dressed, you may arouse suspicion and be
approached as to your intentions.
What if I’m ready to join but my spouse
(partner, or friend) isn’t?
This is common. Typically, women are more wary than men of clothing-optional
venues. But everyone, male and female, has "body issues." For some,
the idea of being seen nude—and seeing others nude—is filled with psychological
tension. A spouse, friend or partner can help reduce the tension, but only if
caution and sensitivity are exercised. Remember, every naturist had a
"first time." Many who were most reluctant initially are now avid
naturists. And remember, too, that there is a fine line between encouragement
and coercion. Don’t cross it if you want to introduce someone to naturism.
What if I meet my
neighbour or boss at a naturist club?
They
obviously have the same interests as you, so there will be no problem. There is
no shame in being a naturist. You will find that you will enjoy new activities
together that you didn’t do before. They would fully understand and would want
to protect your enjoyment of naturism rather than jeopardise it.
What will my friends and families
say if they find out I am a naturist?
They
won't find out unless you choose to tell them. But if you try and hide the fact
that you are a naturist, and they find out, they will wonder why you haven’t
told them before. They may therefore think that it is something you are ashamed
of or that it is something undesirable. But generally people are really interested
in the subject. Just answer their questions honestly and openly and show them
that being a naturist is a genuine lifestyle and something to be proud of.
My friends might think I
am mixing with undesirables if I say I am a naturist.
If
your friends think that, they are speaking without knowledge and have assumed
wrongly that nudity must mean amorality. Your friends couldn't be more wrong,
so invite them along to the club to show them the truth. Naturists cover the
complete range - singles, partners, married couples and most clubs are family
orientated.
What if I get an erection?
Believe
it or not, this almost never happens, especially
if you are honestly worried about it, since anxiety and embarrassment are
pretty much incompatible with erections. Most newcomers find it so natural at a
naturist club that after a few minutes, they forget that they are naked. And in
that same short time, you realise how non-sexual the situation is. The most
important sex organ in the body is the brain, and if you aren't thinking sexually, your body will not respond sexually.
Of course, sometimes spontaneous erections do occur,
but what is most important is what you do next. The best thing to do is ignore
it and concentrate on whatever else you are doing, lie on your stomach or wrap
your towel around you. If all else fails, a dip in a cold pool or ocean should
fix it!
Doesn’t communal
nakedness cause sexual excitement?
Social conditioning has convinced a large part of the
population that nakedness equates to sexuality. Consequently many people
believe that men and women can not mix together naked without them becoming
sexually stimulated. This is totally wrong. Being naked is a natural state and
it is the experience of naturists worldwide that they can associate socially
with other naked people without sexual arousal. Naturists believe that sex is a
normal, healthy part of life, but one that should be enjoyed by consenting
adults in private
What do I do if I am menstruating?
This
is a natural occurrence and it is one of the realities of life. If a woman is
comfortable with a tampon, then this is the simplest method of dealing with the
situation. If a sanitary pad is preferred, then she would wear a sarong, shorts
or bikini bottoms. For the most part, a woman should use what she feels is less
obtrusive for her personally. Others aren't going to notice or object.
My body isn’t perfect and I’m
embarrassed about it.
The
concept of the perfect body is a myth and one which leads to a lack of self
esteem and stress. At a naturist club, you will find all shapes, sizes, ages
and colours but naturists will like you just as you are. Many people have
scars, bumps, blemishes and the sign of surgical procedures. It isn't at all
important what your body is like because people accept you in your entirety, as
you are.
How do we get over our
inhibitions?
Nobody expects you to undress the minute you arrive on your initial visit, but in most cases you will quickly feel the relaxed atmosphere and see how comfortable nude people are with one another. Once you feel comfortable, which usually takes only a few minutes, you will probably feel like stripping off. But if you are still unsure, you will be given time to do it at your own pace. If you realise that naturism is not for you, your clothes will stay on and you will leave. In all honesty, few can resist the call of naturism once they have experienced it.
What about the dangers of the sun?
The
naturist lifestyle is not just about lying around in the sun. Nonetheless, all
people whether naturists or not, should take care in the sun and use common
sense to avoid sunburn. Because naturists spend more time outdoors earlier in
summer than the general population, they build up a tan more gradually. This
avoids the danger faced by others of getting sunburnt in the rush to get a tan
during limited summer holidays. Also naturists have been aware for a long time
of the dangers of overexposure to the sun and they have adopted sensible
preventive measures. Naturist venues tend to have lots of shade so people can
get out of the sun.
No-one would disagree that sun BURN is dangerous, but recently, there has been a lot of literature about the benefits of sun EXPOSURE. This is due to the production of vitamin D which protects the body from many diseases including rickets, cancer, arthritis, osteoporosis, diabetes and cardiovascular disease amongst others.
FAMILIES AND NATURISM
Is naturism appropriate
for families?
Absolutely! Naturism is about body acceptance and body awareness, which makes
it appropriate for everyone. Therefore, families with children are welcome at
naturist venues and events. Naturists do not deny the sexual nature of human
beings, but they reject the all too prevalent view in our society that nudity
and sex are synonymous and that children should be "protected" from
nudity regardless of context. Nude is not lewd.
Is naturism good for children?
Children
take to nudity like ducks to water. We all know how much children like to run
around with no clothes on. Children are rarely self-conscious when nude. It is
only as they get older that they adopt some of the social stigmas associated
with nudity. When children reach puberty, they often are embarrassed about the
changes in their body. But those brought up in a naturist environment develop a
healthy attitude to their bodies and realise that this is nothing to be ashamed
of. At most clubs, no pressure is ever put on children to undress if they don’t
want to.
Is naturism safe for children?
Cases of children being upset by the sight of nude
people are extremely rare. At a naturist club, children are completely safe.
Members are screened before acceptance and will have their membership
terminated if they behave inappropriately. Because they do not want this, it is
never an issue. So it is a much safer environment for children than at (for
example) a beach, where any member of the public can be present.