Why isn't swimming naked more popular than it is?

Question

I've experienced swimming naked with a bona fide naturist group. It was wonderful. I'd hate to go back to trunks, yet my nearest swim, according to British Naturism [this country's largest naturist body], is about 30 miles away. Why don't more people clamour for these naked swims? Swimming naked at a normally public pool is a uniquely liberating experience which no one should miss. [unless you're ugly].

I'm sorry, Naplusultra, but ugly naked people make me feel queasy, that's why I included that clause.

Naplusultra: You're ugly aren't you?

Answer 1

People have been swimming naked for about 70,000 years. Only since clothing designers discovered, about 100 years ago, they can charge more per square inch for swim wear than any other garment has it become the norm to swim while dressed.

A Roper Poll conducted in the US in 2006 found the following:

25% answered Yes to the question "Have you, personally, ever gone "skinny dipping" or nude sunbathing in a mixed group of men and women at a beach, at a pool, or somewhere else?"

74% answered Yes to the question "Do you believe that people who enjoy nude sunbathing should be able to do so without interference from local officials as long as they do so at a beach that is accepted for that purpose?"

Obviously a large number of people support and participate in nude recreation in the US. It is one of the fastest growing vacation types.

Swimming nude has nothing to do with looks or body type, just the freedom of not being a slave to the swimsuit manufacturers profit margin. The more people demand it, the sooner it will happen. Already in Canada, New York, and Miami Beach, females are no longer required to wear tops. The time will come when it will again be considered normal to be natural.

Answer 2

You're obviously British, but I'm across the pond, so must respond only as I can as an American. I'm afraid that there are way too many problems with nudity here to do the whole naked swimming thing up properly.

First, there is the morality thing, which I don't like, but exists here in our often prudish and judgmental society. Secondly, there is the ugliness factor with so many people these days. We Americans have, I'm afraid, taken over the title of "Ugliest Nation of Naked or Semi-Naked People" from the old Soviets with their potato guts, and I don't see much improvement in the near future. We overeat, don't exercise, and let way too much skin droop, sag, and do other disgusting things that must give some of our European friends nightmares on a continual basis. You don't know what a real "night terror" is you have gone to a casino in Las Vegas near where I live, only to be confronted with overweight American tourists of both genders waiting in the buffet line for the chance to pack on still more pounds of all-you-can-eat whatever. They then go climb into their Speedos and go for a swim!

I'm not proud to be judgmental about this situation, but quite frankly if someone doesn't want to take care of themselves enough to at least be presentable with a skimpy suit, then nudity frankly scares me...

In all honesty, I agree with you and would also like to see more nudity at the old swimming holes because it truly is liberating just like the individual above me has so eloquently noted, but am afraid that along with the lovely young ladies prancing around in their alltogether, there would be the rest of us merely watching, drooling, and unfortunately letting it all hang out, if you know what I mean.

Therefore, as much as I hate to admit it because I hate clothes unless there's a blizzard, perhaps a little more material in public swimming places might be in the best interest of decency and reduced nightmares, after all.

Answer 3

I live in a warm country and have a pool, and we have swam naked of course. Very nice BUT I don't think I would like to share a pool with a lot of naked people I don't know. Doesn't sound very hygienic and probably not a very nice sight getting out at the steps from the pool looking up at somebodys backside.

Answer 4

I don't wanna see naked people swimming either put a bathing suit on or go somewhere else.

"Swimming naked at a normally public pool is a uniquely liberating experience which no one should miss. [unless you're ugly]."

Isn't being a nudist or swimming naked about being free and crap you shouldn't being staring at other people or judging them for being unatractive. You are probably just a perv.

Answer 5

I agree that swimming naked can be an exteremly liberating experience, quite kinky too if its done late at night, under the moonlit sky with some friends. I believe its something everyone should experience(except the fat and ugly ones)

Answer 6

No all societies are plauged with the religious stigma that we must hide our bodies, but America certainly is. We have a strange and unhealthy view that a naked human body is somehow sinful, dirty, shouldn't be seen, something to be ashamed of, etc. Religion is the only source that I know of for these beliefs.

go to the movies. You can have all the murder and violence you want and let kids see it (even on TV), but one female nipple shows up and you need to be 17 years old to see what half the population sees every day, and the other half wants to.

god are we twisted.

Answer 7

It's becoming more popular every year in most countries, even here in the United States. Many beaches are now designated as nude beaches, and many people are enjoying them. Change within society is always slow, but as long as those of us who are OK nudity in appropriate places persist, that change will eventually take place.

Answer 8

i'm not a naturist, i have no desire to hang about at a bar with everything hanging out. but skinny dipping is one of my most favouritest pastimes. maybe that's only because it's a bit taboo, maybe that's part of the thrill and if everyone did it i wouldn't care anymore...hmm.
but to anyone that hasn't tried it, find somewhere secluded enough, with cliffs to jump off and waterfalls to stand under, and go for it. living in a city might make that slightly difficult. come to the highlands of scotland, we have it all :) (don't come in midge season though, could get nasty).

Answer 9

I dont know I always swim naked in my pool and anywhere else that I can. Nude swimming is not immoral or gross it feels much better than with swimming trunks. I say swimming trunks are not neccesary.

Answer 10

I think a lot of people are too self-conscious about their bodies. A lot of guys don't like the idea of showing the effects of what cold water can do to the anatomy. I agree though, it is very refreshing and a pleasant change...but it is not yet acceptible behavior in society.