What Does Naturism Mean To You?

Naturism, nudism, skinny-dipping, clothes-free! It might have a lot of names but just one meaning…nude recreation! Non-sexual nudity.

What words would you use to describe what naturism means to you? 

You don't have to use the same words as everyone else - each person and their experience is real and unique to them.

Membership to a club doesn't mean that you're suddenly a naturist. And just because you prefer to only go without clothes at home doesn't mean that you aren't. 

It is not important whether you stroll along a nude beach or garden au naturel with the sun on your skin and the breeze in your hair. 

What is important is the freedom you feel and the benefits - which are numerous - that you discover in your body and mind. 

Why not share the words you would use to describe what naturism/nudism/clothes-free means to you...it might help someone to find their own words of what naturism means to them.

Going back to study...

In an attempt to connect with young people and share with them the joys and benefits of nude recreation and enjoying life naked, I contacted the tertiary organisations in the Auckland area. It's Orientation Week for a lot of these institutions so they are holding events and club information days/expos.

Today, with the help of Rick the Auckland region contact for Free Beaches NZ Inc. we set up a stall at Unitec Institute of Technology and chatted for four hours to students and staff and handed out flyers - starting with 100, coming home with 39.

What was our message? That it's not illegal; that it's beneficial for the body and mind; that it's a great way to unwind; that it brings you close to nature; and so much more. We talked about skinny-dipping and about being able to enjoy the experience at any time in appropriate places - and not just in the middle of the night after you've had a few. And we talked about the mutual respect and understanding amongst genuine naturists. 

The response was wide and varied as I suppose you could imagine. 

There were giggles and sniggers; there was polite consideration and genuine interest; and there were some shocked "goodness no thank you"s and some wouldn't even look at us. But each one left with a smile and a friendly experience.

At one stage in life I would have giggled behind my hand too so have to understand their reactions - especially in front of their friends. But, for lack of another metaphor, the seed has been sown and you just don't know when it will grow. 

We chatted to people of all cultures - from Asian and Indian to Island students. We even got a group of Island boys to hand some flyers out. 

We found the organiser very accommodating and supportive and would love to have us back again. The flyers we came home with will be sent to the student associations of tertiary organisations around the country in the hope they will put them on a noticeboard where even one student might see it and become interested. 

It was a lot of fun and I believe very valuable.