By Jaye Francis
Originally published in 2013
Over the past four months, I've been speaking with nudist club, owners, resort, managers, and industry professionals to assess the current state of the nudist industry, how it has changed over the past five years and, even more importantly, its emerging and future trends. I also took the opportunity to visit ( in person and via email) with hundreds of resort guests, club members and cruise ship passengers. l asked them to contribute their thoughts and feedback on their past experiences with nude recreation, the likes and dislikes about the clubs, resorts, and venues they frequent and their plans for future participation in nude recreation. This article is a compilation and synopsis of what I learned.
As an introduction, I would say it's not so much the rules are changing, it's more a case of subjective interpretation becoming the norm. With many questioning the lack of contemporary vision from professional organisations or associations and member organisations, the traditional principles and philosophies of nudism are quickly being replaced with more current social mores and in short, it's a whole new world. From the six major areas of focus, I've selected the four that garnered the most response.
1. Required nudity is becoming clothing optional.
The majority of respondents agreed that the conformity to a rigid policy of nude – only is interpreted as unfriendly and uninviting. As a sworn new convert to clothing optional recreation put it ……
…..”don’t tell me that my wife can't use the pool with her bottoms on. It's cliquish, isolating, and reflects the insecurities of those demanding it. Give her the opportunity to desensitise in a welcoming environment, and she'll find little reluctance for her to be naked. But insist on it, and she will resist and be suspicious of the intent.“
A clothing optional environment offers the opportunity for those who want/need to wear clothes when it's desired, and yet not hesitate to remove them when the setting is appropriate or the mood strikes. The clothing optional policy is an opening invitation for everyone to join in regardless of their initial state of nudity.
2. The rules for behaviour within clothing optional environments are changing.
In the past, nudist clubs regulate regularly adopted and enforced those behaviour standards and guidelines originated by the ANR, TNS or other professional associations and membership organisations. This was done primarily to receive and maintain the endorsement of the association which in turn could be used to advertise them promote the resorts compliance with the objectives of family orientated nudity – a safe and sexually neutral environment.
However, many resort owners are making an unofficial but decidedly necessary change to their behaviour policies. Rather than rewrite the rules, most are implementing the more flexible interpretation and relaxed enforcement of traditional behaviour standards to accommodate the expectations of their guests and members. No, that doesn't mean that discernible or obvious sexual activity is encourage or allowed in open places, but it does mean that guests are granted reasonable latitude in expressing affection and sharing physical space. One resort owner explained it as: “ ….. we’re simply keeping pace with society and evolving social values”. To suggest that guests need to refrain from touching or that they have to maintain the 6 inch personal space buffer is a throwback to the 1950s.
3. Labels are out.
The idea of being a nudist has often inferred more than simple inclination and preference of enjoying the absence of clothing. Right or wrongly, and often a basis for confusion, the question "are you a nudist?” has also implied the need to confirm an underlying commitment to to the traditions and principles of organisation defined ethics and behaviour. Even beyond the expectations of conformity, being a nudist has often suggested a mindset that advocated an ideology. For example here are a few statements originating from the public forum:
Nudists are more usually vegetarian.
Nudist are more health conscious than the general public.
Nudists worship trees. Nudists don't have sex.
Nudist are a sect, a cult.
Nudist are mentally deficient and morally corrupt.
Obviously, none of these intentioned judgements are true. (Except possibly the tree thing – the jury is still out). And while most of these comments are little more than attacks from the opposition, intended to disparage and ridicule, there are still many within the general public who associate some degree of idiosyncratic behaviour with the concept of nudity – an erroneous and potentially harmful belief.
Today's participants in clothing optional recreation are as individual as fingerprints, and they quickly draw the line at any attempted inference of common dogma or philosophy. One of the younger passengers on a recent nude cruise put it very succinctly. “Social nudity is not a religion, doesn't require a commitment to any organisation, and it's newest practitioners. - those under 35 - are making a clear statement that they do not need the justification of numerical strength to exercise the simple desire to experience nude recreation”.
The overwhelming majority of respondents agreed that continuing to find those who enjoy clothing optional activities by using the word nudist is an antiquated concept.
The term no longer accurately represents the standards and expectations of individual.
Examples are common the most significant being the growing percentage of self-described nudists enjoying the edgy, sexually charged atmosphere of lifestyle cruises.
Bottom line, participation in a social activity – with or without clothing – is quickly being reduced to simple choice, made by those who agreed to honour the same choice when made by others.
The perceived value/importance of a paid membership in a nudist organisation, club or association is far less significant today than it was 10 years ago.
Today, the new and younger generation finds the idea or necessity of paying to join a nudist organisation or association completely unnecessary. Some even find it insulting to the self proclaimed independence. Most shun the idea of buying membership to any organisation that does not offer an objectively measured and commensurate equally financial benefit to its members. They see no value in status, alliance, or fraternal association – suggesting that such a purchase does not guarantee it's realisation.
Conversely, they do not choose a club, resort or clothing optional vacation venue because it's sanctioned, governed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any professional organisation, association, or group. In all my conversations with those under 30, I was consistently presented with the same criteria for choosing a clothing optional destination: (1) An enjoyable welcoming environment, and (2) an acceptable value for money spent.
4. Adult-only clothing optional venues will continue to grow in popularity.
The idea of social nudity being a family activity, to be enjoyed by all ages, is one of the most basic concepts of traditional nudism. However, the past few years have given rise to adult only resorts and clubs and, based on the increased revenue for those venues making the switch, they are growing in popularity. In fact, the majority of guests interviewed confirmed their personal preference for an adult orientated atmosphere – without the intrusion, noise, stress, and other factors that children often bring to the environment. It's a trend that will continue, with many former family orientated club having already converted to adult only operation.
I'll leave you with this.
Social nudity continues to evolve and changes are inevitable. And based on what I learned from ad hoc study, we've only seen the tip of the iceberg, especially as many nudists not only reconsider their place within the clothing optional community, but would also decide to try new environments in search of a more personal satisfying experience.
Jay Francis is an author, nudist and current advocate of clothing optional recreations.
It’s hard for me to say if naturism is changing or I am. When I first started going to nude beaches it was a thrilling feeling of freedom and rule breaking that first appealed. Later I discovered it to be simply more comfortable. Now, I really want to find more experiences where I can be nude rather than just beaches.
Some years ago I ‘discovered’ Cap d’agde. Again, an incredible feeling of ‘rule breaking’ and ‘anything goes’. Of course, when you’re there it just feels natural and free. As much as I enjoy it there and look forward to going back, I still very much enjoy the ‘traditional’ non-sexual nudity at many established naturist environments. It’s wonderful to be nude, feel a kinship with people, and have a shared understanding that it’s just yo relax. So now I’m more aware of the range of options I quite enjoy the range. Not so much saying that traditional naturism has evolved, just that we’re all more aware of various naturist / nude / clothing optional / libertine possibilities. Maybe we just need more words for the various approaches!
The one thing that has changed and I greatly lament is the reduction / loss of male camaraderie in the locker room. 20 years ago it was not uncommon to have a bit of a social, watch the game (we had tvs and a lounge in the lockerroom) make a phone call (on the land line!) or just read the paper in the nude. The primary reason was after a steam it’s nice to reacclimate the body before dressing but it was very much a nice way to spend an hour and 100% (90%?) non-sexual. These days, gents tuck into a cubicle to change. Not sure of the forces that caused this, but it does reinforce the point of the article that social norms change so why wouldn’t resorts?
To sum up, less nudity and more sex. Nothing to be too surprised about! It didn’t take much philosophy to see the link between nudity and sex. The idea behind naturism was that people can be naked together without it having sexual implications. If that’s changing now, I’m sorry to say that I have no interest in being naked with most of you.
I agree that what you say is true in many places. But naturism was basically a social experiment, a bet on whether people could be together naked without sexual implications. On the other hand, it’s good that people can express their sexuality more freely. However, if this happens in places that originally started as naturist, instead of other social gatherings in general, it means that the social experiment has failed. It’s been over a hundred years now, and people still can’t seem to distinguish between nudity and sex. Self-proclaimed naturists are really just swingers iwith a mask Those who can’t find their own way in the world will continue to fantasize about nudist libertines, and it’s no wonder there are so many “reluctant wives.”
I’m not sure I follow the logic that those who have libertine fantasies are those ‘who have not found their own way in the world.’
Could it not be that people are able to draw the distinction and simply enjoy both, each in its own place and time?
I have nothing against those who are both naturists and swingers, as long as they are aware that the two activities must be carried out in the appropriate places and within the rules. I was just talking about the fantasies of people who think that all naturist places are actually swingers’ meetings. Among them, there are the wannabe libertnes (mostly single men) who might well go to swingers’ clubs but prefer to hang around in naturist spaces, saying to be “open to new experiences if it happens”.
The article we’re referring to talks about increased tolerance even in traditionally naturist places, which seems to support this view. So, in my opinion, naturism as a social experiment of communal nudity without sexual implications would have failed.
I am all for “clothing optional”, it should be the norm for all clubs and venues. If you have a reluctant wife/partner/friend, the rigid requirement of “you must be naked”, rules out a lot of places. Some of the clubs i have noticed allow clothing optional, but then say certain areas can’t be used unless naked, usually the swimming pool or sauna/hot tubs. I for one would feel a bit peeved if I have paid the same rate as everyone else, only to find I had restricted areas. I say “I”, but of course I would be naked, but it wouldn’t feel right If I were enjoying these facilities, and my wife/partner/friend was not due to unnecessary rules. Surely allowing people to dip their toe in gradually has to be a good thing, and as pointed out they can decide if they like it or not. Especially in the case of females that most clubs are crying out for, it’s time to do away with the antiquated rule. Though we have to be reasonable about it, and not allow clubs to be overrun by textiles. So there has to be some expectation that the reluctant person will overcome their inhibitions.
Desert Sun Resort in Palm Springs might be an example. I first read about it when they built a pedestrian bridge across a main road that connected a residential (nudist) block to the resort.
When I first visited, that bridge was already shut for everyone except residents but the three main pool areas were available. Everything was nude only in the pool and generally nude anywhere.
Now I gather one of the pools has been closed to guests. The entire resort is clothing optional the website says it is entirely ok. It also says you may be nude anywhere. There seems to be an emphasis on welcoming first timers and encouragement to go nude. They state sexual activity is not allowed.
Personally I’m less likely to go now. I never batted an eye if a couple of women kept their sarongs on but I simply wouldn’t want to pay for a naturist vacation and end up being the only nudist at the pool. I’m not shy but at some point the relaxation of being nude shifts to the awareness of being ‘that naked guy.’ Also, one benefit of a naturist hotel is you meet other people who enjoy naturism. At least one thing in common.
I should also add that a few others have shut down entirely in california. Lupin Lodge and Olive Dell, I think. De Anza springs was clothing optional before being purchased and shifting to clothing only.
It seems the shift to clothing optional is a last ditch effort to stay open, but that’s just a perception I have based on only a few examples.
The conversation here has a definite US – UK split. From reading and following blogs and writings elsewhere the US seems to be very beach and resort oriented, the UK some beach (with less beach-reliable weather) but otherwise fairly free-ranging; we don’t have US-style resorts and we don’t have the same restrictions on nudity that seem prevalent in the US. The nudist writers in America (and they’re usually self-defined as nudist rather than naturist) are often more political than their UK counterparts, a reflection of the legal and political issues that seem to crop up a lot, the variety of laws across and even within states, and probably that the writers with a political viewpoint are more likely to express it than those without.
The clubs that we have in the UK are on a very different scale and approach from the resorts in the States, but as a general thing I think club membership of any sort has been in decline for decades. Once a club was somewhere to meet like-minded people but accept the restrictions of membership rules; restrictions are no longer as acceptable, and like-minded people can get together in so many other ways – and there is so much more competition for our time that getting along to the club takes a greater effort. Note, this applies to all clubs, whatever the topic of interest, and isn’t limited to naturist/nudist clubs.
So if there’s a perception of social nudity slipping away, I think that can be put down to social-anything slipping away, at least purposely getting together and socialising in person. A more relaxed acceptance of public nudity means we don’t have to get together behind club fences, too – I know I can go for a naked hike in the countryside with very little fear of retribution, and knowing I’m not breaking any laws, so I don’t need to pay club dues and learn the special handshake to be allowed in if I want to get naked.