Thursday, March 29, 2012

Nude Bowling

Nude bowling – this I’ve got to try! How about you? The reports about nude bowling sound so fun:

“When we tell people that we go nude bowling, that usually starts an interesting conversation . . . Initial reactions may include a shocked expression, often followed by a string of questions. ‘You aren’t serious’, is one of the typical responses. ‘You are not really nude, are you?’ Peg sometimes has matter-of-factly replied, ‘Of course not - we all wear bowling shoes.’ Many say, ‘I could never do that!’, but even they are usually interested to learn about what they are missing. Another immediate reaction has been ‘That certainly must be a sight!’ For many, we can sense that they would like to do something like nude bowling, but doubt they could do it. I recently had a high school reunion, and brought this up with some of my classmates. One reaction was, ‘You were so shy growing up. Now look at you, I wish I could do the same!’” – Dick W.

“We gathered at the Airport Bowling Center in Erding for an evening of naked bowling. With 30 people on the mailing list, we were pleasantly pleased to find 11 people turn up on the day. The bowling alley was almost empty, apart from a friendly pair in a lane to our left, and we were able to play uninterrupted for a good couple of hours . . . The bar staff were friendly and kept us supplied with drinks and snacks, and we had a great time bowling and chatting the early evening away.” - Richard F.

“Bernie and Alex had posted an invitation . . . to join them and some friends at a naked bowling event up in the Bavarian town of Ingolstadt, just north of Munich . . . In all, seventeen people turned up, including four women . . . It was refreshing to see several young couples, in addition to the more predictable middle-aged men, like myself. . . At first it was too cool for some of the group, but most of us stripped off immediately and began a little casual bowling to warm up a bit. The waitress from upstairs came down to take drink and food orders from us occasionally, and while she may have thought we were all a bit odd to be naked bowling, she was very polite and friendly about it. We whiled away several hours with bowling games and chatting about all sorts of stuff . . . and generally having a good time.” – Richard F.

“There are all sorts of people that are practicing social nude recreation. Bowling is new for us and it's proving a great success.” - Paul A.

Sunday, March 25, 2012

Nude Biking

“I'm still thinking about that [naked bike] ride - it was awe-inspiring, transcendent!” – Brian B.

I was a kid when I last took a nude bike ride, late one night, down a well-traveled neighborhood street - crazy I know - I didn’t understand naturism then. However, for many people nude road and mountain biking is a totally acceptable activity. For example, almost every weekend during the summer people expose themselves to the elements - and onlookers - on cross-country cycling tours around Bavaria for the Nacktradler.

Another example - Nick Lowe, of Johnsonville, New Zealand, often rides his bike naked on the roads outside town. While most people have no issue with this, one person took offense, taking Lowe to court. Justice Clifford of the Wellington High Court ruled that Mr. Lowe's behavior did not meet the standard of ‘offensive’, determining that one person finding a behavior offensive is not sufficient to support a conviction for offensive behavior.

The World Naked Bike Ride happens annually in mostly large cities around the world. Here are a few thoughts from participants in the Portland ride:

“We are starting to plan for this year’s party associated with the World Naked Bike Ride in Portland. . . And it gets to be a bigger job each year . . . Last year the number is estimated to be at least 1500, maybe 3000, we don't even know. It took more than 15 minutes for the ride to pass through an intersection.” – Dan J.

[Riding in Portland’s naked bike ride] “. . . I passed an older man with a big beard standing on the sidewalk. He was gazing down Burnside in awe at the sea of happy nakedness coming his way and I heard him very calmly remarking to himself, ‘Marvelous’.” - Vanessa

“This was my second year [in Portland’s naked bike ride], and I think I'm going to do this every year for as long as I can ride a bike. And then I'll do it in a wheelchair. Very life-affirming.” – Brian M

“I totally love the Naked Ride - what a great, body-positive experience!” – Matt Picio

Here are thoughts from other nude bike riders:

“I bought a used mountain bike last year . . . You think hiking nude is exhilarating? Now imagine the rush of invigorating air spilling all over your body as you coast [on a bike] without a care in the world.” - Rick

“I camped at Canyon Creek Campground (a 2 hour drive north of Spokane) and then ventured out from there on my mountain bike. There are hundreds of logging roads off of Highway 20 from Kettle Falls to Republic. This year I was able to ride my mountain bike on several of these deserted roads nude. . . Many of the roads were pretty steep for me to ride, so I ended up freehiking up most of the hills. But the ride down was worth it.” - John

“I have a cottage in a Canadian resort area which is overflowing from May 24 until Labor Day . . . Once the tourist season ‘shuts down’, Rob, Kevin & I cycle [nude] frequently around the resort area. . . We carry shorts with us in case of encountering oncoming traffic . . . its quiet enough that one can hear a motor for miles. Last fall, we . . . didn't hear an oncoming pickup truck . . . The truck . . . turned around to follow us . . . As it turned out, he's a ‘solid acquaintance’ of mine . . . His intent in turning around? To ask if he could join us some day. He's become, since, a regular member of the cycle . . . group.” - Alic

“I have some experience naked bike riding. Lots of times I will drive my truck as far as reasonable on a 4wd drive road, then ride my bike to a wilderness trail head where I stash the bike and hike. Summer before last I rode a portion of the Continental Divide Mountain Bike Route in Wyoming and Colorado. I rode about 250 miles from South Pass Wyoming to Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Of that mileage, I rode nude for about 100 miles across the Great Divide Desert of Wyoming. Interestingly, I never saw another person or a car, even though I was on dirt roads easily negotiable by ordinary vehicles.” – Michael Y.

“Well, a few weeks ago I did a 50-mile cycle ride through the Isle of Purbeck in Dorset. It was a fairly warm day, and when the weather allowed I went nude. I was mostly off-road or on quiet lanes, which is what you look for when cycling, but I still passed a number of people who greeted me quite normally. When I got to Swyre Head [I met a] few people, couples and singles [who] were intrigued by my bike . . . So, remarkable weather, remarkable scenery, remarkable bike, the fact that I was bollock-naked - no remark whatsoever. . . I try to come across as polite (yeah really), friendly, non-threatening, and ‘normal’. And on that basis I've never had a problem with the Great British Public.” – Bob

“This was my first naked bike ride and I have to say it was the best most fun I have ever had in my life.” - Topher

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Nude Fun - Sports

“Finery is no less alien to virtue, which is the strength and vigor of the soul. The good man is an athlete who enjoys competing in the nude.” - Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Discourse on the Sciences and the Arts

We’re not real sports enthusiasts, but my wife and I have enjoyed volleyball, water volleyball, tennis, badminton, and golf - nude. For us, nude makes sports enjoyable.

Here is a link to photos of naturists plaing sports: http://imageevent.com/kenandjane/sportsgames

And here are a few reports from others who enjoy nude sports:

“Naked sport is booming in the sizzling summer heatwave - and what better way is there to enjoy the outdoors than in the buff? Some of the more adventurous nudists took part in a clothes-free parachute jump that took place over the Baltic island of Usedom earlier this month. And for tourists preferring more traditional sports, the nudist resort of ‘La Jenny’ on the French Atlantic coast claims it has opened up the world’s first and only naked golf course.” – Nicole G.

“Wairau Valley Golf Course [New Zealand] may never be the same again as about 25 keen naturists hit the green. You could say naked ambition drove a first time naturist's win at the Wairau Valley Golf Course on Sunday. Twenty-five people, including some from the United Kingdom and Australia, took part in Nude Golf International at the township's nine-hole course.” – Claire Connell

“A nude tradition in New Zealand: the annual nude touch rugby match, featuring members of the All Blacks New Zealand national team, [was] held on New Zealand's National Nude Day on the South Island. The 2009 match . . . was held in a park in Dunedin, New Zealand's oldest city . . . ” – sffb

“No, there won't be a torch-lighting - someone's short hairs might get singed - but all the Olympic sports you love are coming to Baker Beach sans those pesky jerseys, leotards, or other articles of apparel. . . Events include the 100-, 500-, and 1,000-meter dashes . . . ; ancient Greek wrestling . . . ; sumo wrestling . . . ; discus . . . ; broad jump . . . ; volleyball; and touch football.” - Joe E.

“Somewhere along the way, it became a tradition at Crested Butte Mountain Resort, Colorado, to ski the last day in April buck naked. What may have started as a free-lift-ticket promotion became a beloved local tradition . . .” - Lachlan M.

“White Thorn Lodge hosts the Nude Volleyball Superbowl every year on the weekend after Labor Day. Each year, over 90 teams participate. Competition includes Men's AA, A and B classes, Women's AA, A and B classes, and multiple mixed Novice level teams. . . players include both nudists and non-nudists from all over the world. Over 1500 players and guests gather to play in and watch the games . . . opening ceremonies, dances, club facilities, corn roast, nude skydivers. Many teams return every year for ‘the most unique event in nudism.’ One visitor spoke for every guest: ‘I don't care where in the world I am next year, I'll find a way to get to Superbowl!’” – WhiteThorneLodge.org

Sunday, March 11, 2012

Nude Fun - Dining

“There’s something very real about naked dinner.” - Arianne C.

Nearly everyone enjoys a good meal – yum! But, eating can be even more enjoyable in the nude. I’ve eaten many a good meal in the nude, including Thanksgiving Diner with friends. Give it a go if you haven’t tried it, and like these people you’ll learn what I mean:

“The good part about eating nude is not worrying about staining my clothes.” - Roger

“I do most of my home cooking in the nude. . . Really, I think the dangers of cooking in the nude are greatly exaggerated.” - Jochanaan

“Nothing is more decadent than eating cool, yummy ice cream on a sunny . . . summer afternoon while naked.” - Mary C.

Dining out nude has become a trend in some cities. Consider these news items:

“The au naturel look is catching on at city restaurants, a Midtown yoga club and even a stand-up comedy joint. ‘We're just more comfortable nude,’ said John Ordover, who rents city eateries for dinner parties with a strict dress code - no clothes allowed. . . ‘We're not out to shock or put on a public spectacle. We want only to do things that other people do in the way that we are most comfortable doing them. That, for us, is without clothes,’ he said. About 50 diners - whose motto is ‘no hot soup’ - regularly turn up for Ordover's monthly meals held at venues including the Mercantile Grill on Pearl Street and Pete's Downtown in Brooklyn. They're served by regular restaurant staff - forced by city laws to keep their clothes on. ‘We've never had a restaurant say no to us, and the waiters think nothing of it,’ said Ordover, 46, who works as a Web marketer when he has his clothes on. ‘If you work in a restaurant in New York City, the chances are you've seen a lot more shocking things than a room full of naked diners,’ he added.” – Adam N.

“The Sub Rosa restaurant [in Oregon] serves food and drink with a side of music and clothing is optional. The trend was initially started by the staff, who found themselves stripping down during a blistering hot day at an outdoor barbeque. It wasn't long before the diners joined in, and since then, it's been a clothing optional place to dine, drink and dance.” - Beth H.

“According to a survey of 2,500 adults, more than a quarter of us eat breakfast naked. . . It sounds like we're a nation of cereal nudists!” – Harry Haydon

Thursday, March 8, 2012

Nude Fun - Dancing

My wife and I love to ballroom dance, and dances are common at naturist resorts, so we thought we’d love dancing at resorts. We were mostly wrong.

We’ve enjoyed naturist dances at Shangri La Resort in Arizona because the DJ there played good danceable music, and Olive Dell Ranch has small, enjoyable, non-sexualized dances. A friend of ours enjoyed dancing at a TNS convention at Lupin Lodge which says lots because he doesn’t normally like to dance.

Unfortunately, nude dances at other resorts we’ve visited seemed to attract a sexually-oriented crowd. People who never attend other naturist activities showed up for dances wearing sexually-oriented clothing and lingerie. Friends have excused this saying, ‘It’s just a fun costume’, but we usually feel uncomfortable, so leave early.

We’ve heard from other naturists who also avoid dances at resorts because of the sexual-orientation that seems to exist. The fact that very few people ever write positive experiences about nude dances at naturist resorts is telling.

It seems that ‘nude-only’ dances, especially if young people are invited, are less sexually-oriented than clothing optional dances that often attract those who aren’t nudists. Here is an ad for a dance in Poland that seems more naturist-oriented:

“. . . naturists are gearing up for Poland’s first nude-only disco party in Lodz. . . The nudes-only disco party - where the only dress code is that there is no dress - is open to adults. Youths over sixteen are welcome in the company of parents. Participants are expected to come in couples and singles need to be invited by a couple. This is to prevent gate-crashers looking for sensation and ill-conceived excitement. . . annual Nude Nights attract between 300 to 400 . . .” – TheNews.pl

For those who love dancing, as we do, we’d recommend dancing at nude karaoke events. The music is more conducive to dancing, the floor is less crowded, but mostly, the atmosphere is less sexually charged.

Here’s a thought about nude dancing at a resort karaoke event:

“After more than a month of hard work and busy weekends, we needed a break. My girlfriend planned a trip. . . We invited Alice and Bob . . . to join us at a weekend VVRC trip. They readily accepted. . . The scheduled entertainment for the weekend was karaoke. Alice, Bob, and my girlfriend all sang songs. . . My girlfriend doesn't normally like karaoke, but she noticed that being among naturists is different. Everyone was very cheery and supportive, no matter how bad the song. People danced to slow songs (and a few faster ones), and some even jumped in and helped out the singers. She said it was the best karaoke event that she had ever been to. . . After karaoke was finished, plus an hour, it was dead quiet. It stayed that way until the birds started chirping in the morning.” – The Academic Naturist

Sunday, March 4, 2012

Nude Fun - Parties and Music

“And, believe me: You haven't lived until you've tried naked karaoke.” - Doreen Orion, psychiatrist

Winter is a great time to practice naturism with others indoors. (After all, it’s too cold to go outdoors, at least in snow country.) We’ve attended many skinny home parties with friends, and I thought it might be nice to share what home parties are like for those who might want to attend/hold one.

A naturist home party starts with an invitation. You may have naturist friends who will invite you to a party – get on the phone. If not, invite some friends over to your own skinny home party – get brave.

You’ll probably want to have something to do at your party, although just getting together to relax and talk is fun too. We’ve attended parties where a few friends talked, ate, watched slide shows of past naturist activities, and soaked in a hot tub. (By the way, you don’t need a hot tub as an excuse to get naked at the party.) At naturist home-parties we’ve played UNO and sung karaoke (the most fun nude activity of all in our opinion). Naturist parties can involve getting together to watch movies or sports. Some naturists celebrate holidays together.

So want happens at a skinny party? Well, you go to the friend’s house (they usually answer the door nude - they’re naturists after all - or in a robe to avoid startling the neighborhood), take off your clothes, and join in the fun. Except for taking off your clothes, nothing is really different than a clothed party. Naturists live a naked lifestyle after all, so nude is simply how they are.

You might wonder if alcohol is required, and if a nude party is an excuse for a drunken sex-fest? Of course not! While alcohol is served at some naturist parties, just as it is at some clothed parties, we don’t drink, and are uncomfortable around drunks – alcohol is never required.

Of course, getting nude is the biggest hurdle for some people. They think that being naked with friends will seem weird or sexy somehow, and it might for first-timers, but for experienced naturists it’s just having fun with friends. So getting comfortable is easy - attend a few skinny home parties, and you too will soon be an experienced naturist.

I’m convinced naturist friends are better, closer, more dependable friends because there are no artificial barriers to stop communication. Some of our friends traveled for five hours to attend Nude Karaoke parties we sponsored. Naturists are like that. They are rare, so they are willing to travel to be with others who understand.

So, invite friends to a skinny home party when the outdoor season ends. In fact, making skinny trip plans is a great topic to discuss at skinny home parties – show some slides of past skinny trips and plan what might be done this coming year.

Karaoke parties are certainly fun naturist home parties. On our honeymoon to Glen Eden we fell in love with nude karaoke. Anyone can do ‘nude’ karaoke because it really doesn’t matter how well you sing. We have good friends who enjoy nude karaoke and can’t sing on pitch at all. Over the years we’ve collected 1000s of karaoke songs, and have often held nude karaoke parties. Here are several nude karaoke party reports:

“Nude Karaoke on October 20th was great fun as always. Eleven members attended. With only 11 in attendance, we all got to sing lots. Idaho Gerry shared his very special humor as he sang – he’s just a crazy, wonderful naturist. We all tried to sing one rock or musical song; a few somehow avoided trying this craziness. Ken even stuck out his tongue while singing (trying to sing?) a Kiss rock song - horrifying! A few as always got away without singing at all. Anyway, the food was good and we all loved the conversation afterwards.”

“Saturday, April 26th, we held our monthly Nude Karaoke event. We met at 6:00 pm and started singing. It took a while for everyone to find us a the new location so we really didn’t get going until nearly 7:00 pm, but that was okay; I got in a lot of singing practice while we waited. Eventually nine people arrived. Everyone had a fun time singing karaoke in the nude – I think it’s one of the most fun things to do nude. One person who said he couldn’t sing, sounded great. There’s no need to compare yourself to others when you’re singing ‘nude’ karaoke – I’ll bet his family members in the Tabernacle Choir wouldn’t do it. Another person is especially good at crazy songs; I mean songs mentally crazy people sing. I’m not sure what that means about him, but it’s NUDE karaoke after all. We had some good munchies, and had a great time with good nude friends.”

The bottom-line here is that home parties are a very fun way to share naturist activities with others. Here are a few comments from others who enjoy naturist
parties:

“. . . when we sing love songs naked, it's more pure and powerful than with clothes on . . .” – Iwan D.

“. . . we had a ton of fun! [at the Badger Naturist Halloween Party.] . . . At least twice as many people wore costumes for the judging. And all evening, we feasted like royalty at the huge selection of thoughtfully prepared pot-luck food and a couple of catered dishes. . . The hot tub was perfectly hot, and the pool was comfortably warm (even for me).” – The Academic Naturist

“Since the weather turned south back in November here in Prague, I have hosted two naked home parties at my flat and both were a great success. As with last year, these are billed as ‘movie’ nights. It's more about socializing than anything else but everyone has enjoyed themselves. We watch a new release and then just hang out and chat afterwards. No one has been in a real hurry to leave as, aside from the weekly nude swims, it is the only time we all have to be naked.” - Roger

[I] “. . . attended another home party in Tucson with the Buff-A-Teers. Big lot, with cars parked strategically to block, we sat on lawn chairs outside. Ate great food, played home made very large Jenga (take a mallot and knock out blocks so that the next person makes the whole thing tumble). I was the one who made the whole 6 ft. tower of blocks tumble. It was fun. The guy who's house it was . . . had made a nice size pond with gazebo, sitting area, walkways, and soon a bridge across the pond that we all walked around. We did have to cover up as there was a neighbor across the way. We drew for gifts as another Christmas thing, ate some more, chatted, and went home. Very comfortable weather, not too warm but not too cool.” - Cherie

“Members from the Midlands and beyond joined in the frivolity of the Travelites' [naturist club] annual Winter Holiday/Christmas Party. The weather was perfect. We enjoyed two different lasagnas and accompaniments as well as yummy homemade cheesecake and two different ice creams for dessert. The grab bag gifts went from the fun to the useful. No one left unhappy. The hot tub was available. Small plush bears were given out as souvenirs.” - Cheri Alexander

“The monthly Hot Tub Party was attended by 19. A new person to the group attended for the first time. The hot tub combo holds all the people easily. The potluck was delicious as usual and avocados were given to all by the host.” - Marv & Pet

“. . . naked parties have been a Yale tradition since the late 1990s, when the idea was poached from nearby Brown University. Naked parties now occupy a place in the large pantheon of ways in which Yale students avoid their homework. They happen several times a year . . . For those who have never gone to one, the idea of a naked party raises certain questions. Is the event sexualized, or decadent, or outright obscene . . .? The truth of the matter is that these garb-less festivities are about as debauched as your average bingo night - and about as carefully organized.” - Presca A.

“I think people aren't going to these [nude] parties because they want to experience others. I think they're going to express themselves and this is a great way for them to come out of their shell or express a side of them they don't normally get to express . . .” - Chris Fariello, Sex therapist

Thursday, March 1, 2012

Nude Fun - Boating and Cruising

“I love to sail, and nude sailing is the best.” - Nudeboots

The first ‘nude’ cruise was offered by Bare Necessities in 1991 – on board a Costa Cruises chartered vessel in the Caribbean. Since then nude cruising has expanded greatly. Now, Bare Necessities constantly charters cruise ships taking up to 2000 people at a time on clothing-optional sea voyages to places such as Hawaii, the Mediterranean and the Caribbean.

We have loved naturist boating experiences. We spent a week canuding the Green River in Utah. Along the way we stopped for freehikes and soaks in warm pools.

Our seven-day nude houseboat excursion on Lake Powell was especially memorable. We anchored at quite locations in the red-rock canyons to swim and hike nude. We took small-boat excursions to see beautiful slot canyons and arches. In the evenings we sang nude karaoke and watched the stars. One day on the lake we were hailed by two naked friends in a smaller boat – we didn’t even know they were at the lake.

Last year we took our first nude cruise - Fastasea Fest – with Carnival. It was fabulous! Walking the ship, shopping, eating, singing karaoke, taking dance lessons, watching entertaining shows, sunning on a white sandy Caribbean beach, sailing, scuba diving (all nude), and then participating in a sort-of-clothed, “crazy” festival on Key West - just having a great time with other nudists – wow! We may never cruise clothed again.

I would recommend naturist boating to anyone. If you get the chance, take it; it’s the experience of a life-time, to which these people testify:

“One of the first dreams I had of a naturist holiday back when I first discovered naturism was nude sailing. Removing myself completely from the textile world, naked in nature with only the sea and the sky surrounding me, being caressed by the sea breeze and the crystal clear water as I swim in wild coves, the purity of life on board a small boat, the pleasure of discovering new places and the closeness on board far from the summer hoards, the calm of the sails far from the racket of traffic, the privilege of sharing good times with friends, these were all reasons that finally made me decide to give it a go last summer . . .” - Antoine

“Few things feel better than exerting yourself naked in a kayak. Just enough cool water spays up to hit you, making you feel fresh and invigorated. I like to paddle hard and continuously, while Kathy likes to pause and just look at things.” – Mark Storey

“We like to kayak on the sound between the outer banks of NC and the mainland, especially along wildlife preserves owned by the National Park Service. The water is very shallow and there are numerous small islands and sandbars. Once we get away from populated areas, the clothes come off and we kayak and wade in the nude. I have seen others doing the same in the distance.” - Maturewvcouple

“Canoeing on stretches of water in the buff is relatively easy. I used to paddle from Cedar Key, FL out to the small deserted islands on the Gulf all the time. Never saw another soul on these little bits of wilderness. They have great beaches and I always had the whole place to myself. The best R&R I have ever had. Canoeing on small streams that have no houses nearby is relaxing too.” - Richard

“Since we live on our boat, we don’t have a yard at all. We spend the majority of time down below nude, but anytime we go outside during the day we have to dress. . . when we are sailing, we have the whole ocean as our back yard and don’t have to worry about people seeing us. If they do, then they are probably too close.” - Dsailing

“I sailed nude on a Laser in Singapore for 4 1/2 years. I'd rig my boat . . . and then clip my suit to a halyard once I got about 100 meters off shore. I'd put the suit back on within about 100 meters of docking. I'd often sail to some of the offshore islands and, of course, be nude on them. . . Can't see sailing without being nude. I will only sail in warm weather, and warm weather demands nudity.” - RalphVa

“I have a 41ft. sailboat and when the lines go over, the suits come off. . . I keep a towel handy for the tour boats but other than that I have no problem sailing in the buff. I've had the boat for 6 years now, was renting for about 10 years before that and so far no complaints. . . In my opinion nothing feels better than to be out in the sun on a beach or on a boat getting a charge from the fresh salt air and feeling the sun on your entire body.” - Sailnekkid

“We have a cabin cruiser on a lake here in Alabama. When we get the anchors set off come my clothes . . . I usually anchor in a small cove out of the way of others and when I get hot tanning, I bail off the stern and let me tell you, it is refreshing.” - Lake Cruiser

“We sail naked all the time, and I love it! We do usually wait until we are a couple of miles off shore and/or are in less traffic. I never had any problems with authorities. . . it does seem to me that it is more accepting for people to be nude while boating. I know people that wouldn't normally want to be nude in front of others, but are willing to go bare while on the boat.” - DSailing

“Naked boating is a lot of fun - I did it for many years. I used to have a pontoon that I keep on the KY River about eight miles from where I live. . . Sometimes the wife would take a half days vacation during the week and we would go to the river for an afternoon on the boat. During the week you pretty much had the river to yourself so it was easy to be able to be nude the whole afternoon, which we did. . . I normally kept a pair of swimming trunks close by and if someone I knew came up I'd just lay the trunks over my lap.” – Kentucky Dave

“I had a large sail boat and used to cruise the coast of New England. Wife and I were almost always nude at sea, and on occasion would meet other boats with nude crew. Nothing unusual about being nude on the Atlantic . . . Just a nice relaxing way to spend time!” – Rabid Clam

“I have been boating nude for years. . . I have a smaller boat I take on the Chattahoochee north of Atlanta, and the area I cruise is very natural and scenic. The times I have been encountered nude . . . by other boaters they seemed accepting or at least tolerant and would carry on a conversation with me.” - GABare

“. . . my wife and I went on a nude cruise. . . As soon as we had left port and the pilot left the Captain came over the loud speaker and announced that it was then clothing optional. . . Dinner in the formal dinning room was Dress but every where else was optional. Eating on the lido deck, pool side, in the theatre and every where else was optional. . . we stopped at Bonaire - where we had chosen . . . a trip to Soroban Naturist Resort. . . We kayaked to the reef, walked part way out and just enjoyed the sun. . . All the time we were at sea they had games to play. Trivial pursuit . . . football toss, basketball freethrow contests, shuffle board, volleyball, karaoke, dancing. We participated in a show the crew called the great pretenders which was a lipsink show. The crew commented that in all of their time they had seen people pushing the envelope for nudity on stage but had never had clothes completely thrown out before. . . Our final destination was a private island owned by Holland America, known as Half Moon Cay. . . We were able to spend the whole day there in the full moon state and had our lunch on the island served by the island staff - a perfect end to a perfect cruise.” – Kevin

“Again we were able to go on a cruise, this time it was Key West, Jamaica, and Cozumel. . . . The ship had put together an excursion to a beach [in Jamaica], which was designated clothing optional for the day. We had a ton of games, like water balloon race and toss, a dance competition they called positions, which was not as it sounds but quite the work out. We were also able to play volleyball - who knew sand volleyball was such a killer - my wife and I walked away with a bunch of prizes and a great time. Lunch was also served, Jamaican jerked pork, chicken, hamburgers and all the ‘fixins' - it was incredible, and all nude. Then on to Cozumel, where the clothing optional was another beach party or snorkeling. . . All in all you can never beat a cruise, but for sure never beat a NUDE cruise. Definitely need to give this a try. We are booked on a 15 day adventure next year to Hawaii, with 4 days at sea nude both directions. Hope to see some of ya'll on the next one.” – Kevin

“. . . we experienced an incredible day trip from St. Petersburg to Passage Key with Rusty & Vanessa’s Grin & Bare It Charters. . . As the five of us arrived at the Marina, we were greeted with friendly smiles and prepared for a six hour day cruise. The 90-minute boat ride to Passage Key was as wonderful as the destination. . . as soon as we cleared the inter-coastal, off came the clothes! Once at Passage Key, we joined a hundred or more nudist boaters in a true natural paradise . . . There’s nothing like a day on the water spending hours going from boat to water to boat to water.” - Grin & Bare It

“My husband and I have taken lots of cruises . . . And until last October, they had all been traditional (textile) sailings. . . So why did I wait so long to try a nude cruise? Maybe I needed something to push me over the edge . . . And that's exactly what happened on our last textile cruise. . . . on a ten-day Caribbean itinerary. . . we met a wonderful French couple on their honeymoon, Henri and Nicole. . . we met them in the hot tub and began to chat. In mid-sentence, and without any hesitation or as much as a glance to others, Nicole stood up, peeled off her one-piece swimsuit and placed it on the deck beside her. . . In a show of international solidarity, I immediately removed my top and we continued with our conversation. In less than ninety seconds, two crewmembers were leaning over us, shaking their heads . . . the expression on Nicole's face changed from confusion to astonishment. She couldn't believe she was being asked to cover up. Who could possibility care? ‘Do you think someone was offended by my body?’ ‘I don't know for sure,’ I answered. She lowered her voice to a whisper as she reached out to take my hand. ‘I pity them. It must be very frustrating, trying to impose their values on others.’ At that moment, I knew I was finished with textile cruises. . . Why had it taken me so long to realize that a ship full of nudists would be a little piece of heaven afloat on the ocean? After returning home, we booked our first nude cruise . . . So how did the Bare Necessities cruise compare to our previous textile voyages? . . . once you go on a nude cruise, you'll never want to go on a traditional sailing again.” – Jaye Frances

“Actually, naked boating isn't even rare. If you ask around you'll find that a fair number of the boating world is made up of stripping sailors, unclad kayakers, disrobing divers, and others who enjoy naked watersports. . . It's not just cruisers who take it all off when offshore. Even famous racing sailors like Sam Davies get naked when alone on long hot passages. ‘In the tropics, when it’s really hot, it’s better to do everything naked,’ says Sam. After all, when you're offshore, it's not public nudity - it's about as private as you can get. For ocean rowers, getting nude is a matter of chafe, and the more clothes you wear, the worse it gets. Because of that, rowing naked is more the rule than the exception.” - Yachtpals