International Skinny-Dip Day

The The Naturist Society (TNS) and the American Association For Nude Recreation (AANR) are observing tomorrow, Saturday, July 14, 2018, as International Skinny-Dipping Day. Grab a friend, strip out of those clothes and jump into a body of water for some old-fashioned style swimming in just your natural skin. For those who live in colder climates, a heated indoor pool is highly recommended. No one wishes frost-bite on anyone, although I’m sure there are a few who would welcome a cooling experience from the summer’s heat and humidity!

This event is in conjunction with the Nude Recreation Week also co-sponsored by the TNS and AANR. The scheduling of this for July 14 is somewhat controversial as the date has been observed within the gay. lesbian, bisexual, transgender and queer (GLBTQ)  community as Gay Nudists Day. Many of the same gender loving bare practitioner clubs and groups are upset with this being seen as an action of disrespect from TNS and AANR towards their memberships in particular and to the GLBTQ community in general.

However this decision resolves itself within the naturist/nudist community, it is, unfortunately, another instance of the insensitivity of one group of people towards another that is happening all-too-frequently. In the past, these occurences have been solved with minimal animosity. I’m not very confident of a similar outcome in this situation.

Aaron and I plan to go skinny-dipping tomorrow (weather permitting). Our skinny-dipping outing on Wednesday, July 4, was cancelled due to thunderstorms in our immediate area. The river where we planned to spend the afternoon is accessible after a rather lengthy hike through a forested trail. Too much of a risk in the event of lightening and heavy winds.

Skinny-dipping on International Skinny-Dipping Day is our “consolation prize” (outing) for July 4. It won’t be with Twin and his partner, but it should be fun nonetheless. We’re instead going with another same gender loving couple who belong to one of the same bare groups which we are members. They’re both fun-loving and this is our first time going skinny-dipping with them both. They invited us to go with them when they learned of our disappointment over our failed July 4 party.

Although our excursion into the skinny-dipping world won’t be at an official site, it is, at least as far as we’re concerned, our observance of both International Skinny-Dipping Day and of Gay Nudists Day. For us, the two occasions deserve our acknowledgement and our support!

A friendly and gentle reminder to anyone thinking of skinny-dipping either on International Skinny-Dipping Day or any time thereafter. It is not advisable for anyone, no matter how accomplished a swimmer, to skinny-dip alone. None of us ever know when a situation may arise where we may need assistance, either for ourselves or for someone else.

There are a few additional caution advisories concerning skinny-dipping. First, never simply dive into unfamiliar water unless it is a pool. You never know how deep the water is until it is too late. The depth of the water may not permit recovery from a dive. Second, alcohol and/or any drug impair judgment and allow us to take risks that may cause injury or worse.

Third, always store your discarded clothing in a safe place where unwanted guests, such as a dog or other wildlife, cannot “borrow” and deposit and leave you clothes-free longer than you planned. It provides you with a humorous skinny-dipping story to relate to others but it may not entertain any legal authorities you may encounter while bare.

One final reminder about skinny-dipping. Please don’t forget to use sunscreen. Everyone is susceptible to sunburn, no matter how dark our skin tone or whatever our racial heritage. Sunburn is a human condition due to extreme sun exposure. Sunscreen is a relatively inexpensive prevention strategy compared to health problems or severe complications later. Also remember to protect the eyes.

Happy International Skinny-Dipping Day and Gay Nudists Day! 

Naked hugs!

Roger/ReNude Pride