2021.06.10 Mirror
A seasoned naturist has detailed the dos and don'ts of for first timers amid a boom in the clothes-free pastime.
In the past year British Naturism has gained 1,100 new members, a sharp rise believed to be driven by Brits ditching their togs during lockdown.
The society has claimed "social isolation has caused an explosion in naked living" and people have become used to less clothing and more relaxed outfits at home.
With the weather finally heating up, the chance to whip your kegs off and engage in some above-board socialising is finally upon us.
Donna Price is a veteran who runs the Women in Naturism Campaign for BN and works to bump the society's proportion female members up from their current 30 per cent.
"My husband and I got into it by accident when we stumbled onto a nudist beach," she told The Mirror.
"My husband hates wearing clothes and he wanted to try it. I love swimming, when I got into the water naked I loved it. That sold it for me."
In 2016 the couple found a local club in Kent and threw themselves into the pants-off pastime.
"My husband and I don't work anymore and we live pretty much naked unless it's really cold," Donna, who now lives in Scarborough, continued.
"Just normal activities but you don't put clothes on. It is very freeing. People tend to make assumptions or judgements, based on what you're wearing. It's a great leveller.
"There is no class, no status or distinctions, you don't feel as if you're being judged. It is very body positive.
"Everyone is the same fundamentally under there, even though we might be unique."
Donna has shared her top tips for those looking to get into naturism this summer.
Be comfortable in your own skin
Donna advises that people take it slowly and build their confidence up if they're concerned about getting naked in public.
She said: "You have to be comfortable in your own skin, and feel as if it's a normal way of being.
"Get used to being naked indoors and then naked in your garden. Most people can't just suddenly go to a naked beach and strip off.
"Do it slowly and gradually."
Go to a designated beach
The law on being naked on British beaches is a bit of a grey area.
It is technically okay to drop trouser and wade into the sea on any patch of coast, so long as you don't 'harass, alarm or distress others'.
Donna recommends heading to one of the country's many specialist nudist beaches to avoid any opportunities to startle members of the public.
"If you're new to it, I suggest a designated beach," she said.
"You won't stand out too much."
Be respectful to others
Donna says there are no strict rules about when it's okay or not okay to amble up to a naked stranger and spark up a chat.
Instead she recommends reading the room and treating people, particularly women, with respect.
"Naked females on the beach are unusual," she continued.
"Naturism only has a 30 per cent balance of women, so a naked female on the beach is like 'oh my god it's a female'.
"But a lot of the naturist guys like to have mixed company. It is quite nice to talk to a woman for a change.
"You can't say to people 'don't approach women', the woman could then feel 'what's wrong with me'.
"Treat people with respect. If she's making eye contact say good morning but carry on walking."
Have fun and take your clothes off
Above all, Donna recommends first-timers enjoy themselves.
She said: "It's all about respect for yourself. There should be nothing different with how you are when you have clothes on.
"Relax, enjoy it and take your clothes off. You will feel more comfortable."
