Generational Attire at the Beach

My family owns a property that gives us access to one of the most lovely beaches in the country. It has been in the family since 1955 — indeed one of my earliest memories was my 3rd birthday party there. Back in the old days, the property owners at this beach were all old friends. One of them was a college buddy of my Grandma. Another was a former business partner of my Grandpa. You get the idea.

And back in the day when I was a child, everybody, including guests, swam there nude. Many also sunbathed nude. Sunscreens back then weren’t nearly as effective as the ones available today, so we all had to limit nude sun time.

Then I grew up. In the 1980s, all of us who had been nude children running around the beach were now nude adults on the beach. And some of us brought our young children. But in that era, there was much-publicized concern about exploitation of children, and so those same parents, who were nude on the beach, kept their children covered. I went with the flow and only allowed my child to go naked when we were the only party on the beach.

Now my child is grown up and has her own child. I know she and her husband would be uncomfortable with my swimming nude when she’s there, so I swim nude only when she is not there. Perhaps she swims nude when I’m not at the beach — it’s not something I care to ask her about. The grandson hasn’t been there yet, so we’ll see if she allows him to run naked on the beach.

Funny how the decades affect attitudes. The tradition of nudity at this beach goes back to the 1890s. It hasn’t died out, but it seems to be diminishing with the passing of generations.

 

That's so sad. I've heard a nude beach near me was packed in summer during the 70s and 80s and now I'm often the only one. Nude swimming at least for males used to be commonplace at YMCAs, high schools and swimming holes.

 

When I was age 8 through 13, there was a program run by the university where my Dad was on faculty that had the sons of faculty members play basketball and swim on Saturday mornings during the school year. The swimming was nude — there were perhaps 50 to 70 of us at this pool that was double Olympic size, divided up by age and swimming skill. The coaches made us swim laps till we were completely exhausted. Then we got a hot shower, toweled off, and got dressed. I have good memories of the whole experience. After the very first session, being naked among so many others every Saturday morning came to feel so natural that I hardly ever thought about my state of attire. That was 60 years ago. Nowadays a program like that wouldn’t fly at all. Nowadays there would be concerns among parents that there might be a pedophile among the coaches, but I can assure you that nobody on staff back then ever acted inappropriately to my knowledge.

 

The fear of being secretly photographed I think has had an impact.

 

Just to much distrust these days, time we put it away and let boys be boys.

 

It is a true shame to see that freedom disappear and morph into something more formal and guarded...., more acceptable.
As a kid discovering the local nude beach was like another world and it felt so free and everyone as far as the eye could see would be naked and enjoying the day. Mostly people much older than myself 20,30,40 and often Hippie types but there were families and single men and woman just hanging out people were social and very friendly. Started conversations and as a kid leaving at the end of the day I had met people from all walks of life and culture age bracket and beliefs ..., and it was somehow magical.

The next time we went we knew a couple people and they introduced us to other people and you sat around a fire in the morning till it warmed up and then found a spot to soak up the sun. listen to stories being told in the wind and laughing because they had some great stories.

To go back these days (45 years later) there is a certain vibe there that reminds me of those days. I see faces that are wrinkled sun-dried versions of the people I had met as a kid and it amazes me they are still there. but there is about 70% or better are not practicing naturists they are more practicing nude beach tourists hoping to catch a peek at nudists as they enjoy the day in the way we once did free and open and accepting.

I look around and think if they stripped down and joined the 30% they would very likely love the feeling and never look back. It would free them to explore.
They would experience what it is that brings us to these beaches, and discover a new world of relaxation and release.

I have yet to find a single skeptic, willing to at least try on the nude beach experience, that didn't become a convert the first time they nervously dropped their clothes in a heap and feel the breeze wash over their most sensitive areas. They lift their heads, smile, open their eyes and see it. A whole new light.
As corny as it sounds I have felt it myself and I have seen it happen before me numerous times.

Take it from Lester Above, If it is gone it is a shames its a great loss. If you have never tried it "TRY IT" - alone or a group or however that first time is most comfortable but try it. (best with a friend)

 

I think people are to afraid to go naked even if they would love to, its when people are to bogged down with there own shame of being naked, when there is no shame its something that should be enjoyed the way we was brought up, being naked is freedom so come on you folks get naked and enjoy it, let all join in and be happy, its not a body thing its all in your brain every one is looking at me,

Just remember its so nice to get out of our cloths and be free, that's what being a naturist is about, Freedom. .