This week-long festival of body and clothes freedom recreational activities is jointly co-sponsored by the American Association of Nude Recreation (AANR) and The Naturist Society (TNS). As every summer is the “season of fun in the sun,” it is only logical and natural that major national naturist/nudist advocacy organizations host an event in honour of clean, healthy bare living. The recent tendency over the last several years is to observe this occasion after the July 4 holiday.
Gathering on the beach!
Nude Recreation Week was originally conceived as a marketing concept for naturist/nudist destinations and facilities to attract new members to their clientele. The thought being “increase your membership and increase your business.” The first observances were successful and evolved into a plan to encourage textile (clothed) people to try clothes freedom. It worked and soon expanded from destination focus to a general enticement for the public to try whether at home or at a clothing optional facility.
Bare congregation!
The observance of Nude Recreation Week has provided additional unintentional benefits for the bare practitioner community. Aaron, my spouse, has contributed that given the involvement of a larger population of those without previous naturist/nudist experiences and/or familiarity, many destinations or resorts were forced to re-examine their policies regarding racial and sexual exclusion. This has opened the path of inclusion to many of our community who would otherwise face exclusion.
Bare practitioner competitors!
Nude Recreation Week involves an emphasis on the numerous activities, leisure services and past-times, both active and passive, that people may engage in or undertake while clothes free. In essence, identical to what can be enjoyed when wearing garments. This isn’t to imply this special week is the only time we bare our bodies for fun and games – we do that quite frequently!
Coastal endeavour!
“I like me better naked. I don’t mean that in a vain way… When you put clothes on, you immediately put a character on. Clothes are adjectives, they are indicators. When you don’t have any clothes on, it’s just you – raw – you can’t hide.” ~ Padma Lakshmi ~
Sound advice to follow!
The history of Nude Recreation Week is recent with the earliest documented date of August 7, 1976. as being Nude Beach Day. It was first observed in two locations, Truro Beach in southern California and at the Head of the Meadow Beach at Cape Cod, Massachusetts. The Nude Beach Day was continued at the same locations soon became National Nude Weekend in order to expand the time for the clothes free event.
As many naturist/nudist campsites and resorts weren’t located with access to clothing optional beaches, it soon became apparent that another name change and another expansion of the theme was necessary. The “weekend” evolved into a full-fledged “week” as the name changed into Nude Recreation Week.
Happy Nude Recreation Week!
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride
Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Friday, July 8, 2022, and the proposed topic is: “Nude Recreation Week: Vintage Gallery!”
This year, 2022, marks the 70th anniversary of the ascension to the throne of Queen Elizabeth II – her majesty’s Platinum anniversary! She became queen immediately upon the death of her father, King George VI, in February, 1952.
Due to the Queen’s advanced age (96 years), she currently experiences discomfort being mobile and, unfortunately, she was forced to curtail many of her appearances for her official Platinum Anniversary celebrations. Here’s to wishing Her Majesty the very best on her reign!
My spouse, Aaron, adores Her Majesty! He is a subject of Canada and hangs a Canadian flag on his nightstand beside our bed at home.
Postal depiction of H.M. the Queen
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Map of Canada!
This date marks the creation of the Dominion of Canada under the British North America Act of 1867,which united four colonial provinces (New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario and Quebec) into the actual union with the capital in Ottawa. The remaining provinces and territories have been added over the years.
Bare practitioner draped in the Canadian flag!
This is the official holiday of Canada, focusing on all things and events that makes everything and everyone Canadian special, unique and well – Canadian! The July 1 date? That makes it comfortable, easier and simpler for all of us to strip off our garments and skinny-dip for Canada!
Shirt off!
Pants off!
Underwear off!
Drop to skinny-dip for Canada!
Happy Canada Day to all!
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride
Author’s Note: The next post entry planned for here is Monday, July 4, 2022, and the proposed topic is: “USA: Independence Day!”
Today marks the last day of Pride Month here on ReNude Pride as well as being our regular Bottoms-Up! June, 2022! feature. It is with honour that we show some interracial harmony as well as pride in our post entry today!
More beautiful buttocks!
Our trio presented above unite in sharing their buttocks while standing fully nude side-by-side with no feelings of shame! They’ve earned the distinction of having a true concept of both GLBTQ+ pride and nude pride! Congratulations on learning the concept, men! Firm looking buttocks, by the way!
The new inclusive PROGRESS rainbow pride flag!
Sunbathing is an ideal time to strip out of our swimsuits and beautify our world by baring our bold buttocks!
A sand-covered bottoms-up!
Skinny-dipping is a major favourite past-time activity for all of us who enjoy being bottoms-up!
Poolside skinny-dipper!
The sunshine and the water always feel good and help us relax! Additionally, it also helps to keep us cool during the rise in summer temperatures!
A towel on the beach!
A sandy beach and a towel are ideal once the Summer officially begins on June 21, annually! Snacks and a water help to keep us refreshed!
Bottoms-Up!
An endless summer of Bottoms-Up! buttocks for all! Take care and stay bare!
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride
Author’s Note: The next post entry for here is planned for tomorrow, Friday, July 1, 2022, and the proposed topic is: “Canada Day: Platinum Year!”
Paul is the older brother of Aaron – my spouse. Paul is also a practicing Roman Catholic and was born almost three years before Aaron. While an early adolescent, my Aaron was exploring both his nudity and his sexuality, Paul continued to adhere to the dogma endorsed and taught by his church.
By the time that Aaron reached his fifteenth birthday, he had already accepted and announced to his family and close friends that he was gay. Just prior to his high school (secondary) graduation, he disclosed his preference for social nudity. Paul remained comfortable and compliant in his religious exercise.
Relaxation!
When marriage equality became legal in the Commonwealth of Virginia in 2014, Paul had already “come-out” as bisexual to Aaron and I. Once that was accomplished, he gradually began attending clothing optional gatherings with us. Just prior to our actual marriage (August 15, 2015), Paul acknowledged his comfort with his public nakedness (social nudity) and amended his sexuality status to exclusively same gender loving.
For the past several years, Paul has lived with the same partner, named Sudhir. Together, they’ve created a very informal bare practitioner community near where they live in the western part of this state. Now that the coronavirus COVID-19 seems to be in recession, they’re planning their first potluck pride picnic on land owned by an acquaintance they share.
Skinny-dipping!
Aaron and I are leaving Arlington tomorrow and going to visit them and be with them as they host this Pride social event. The owner has a small lake on the property so, weather permitting, we can all skinny-dip and picnic while we socialize together. It should be a summer fun-time (hopefully) for us all!
Please refer to the author’s note below for the next publication date here!
Take care and stay bare!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride
Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Monday, June 27, 2022, and the proposed topic is: “National HIV Testing Day!”
Today marks the official beginning of the Summer of 2022! Whenever possible, remember to bare yourself and skinny-dip for all you’re worth. We know that this eventful season doesn’t last forever and the days somehow manage to fly past us! Lose the clothes and grab the sunscreen and have fun while you can!
Where there’s water, strip and skinny-dip!
The beach, a man-made pool, a lake, a river, relax and refresh – stay cool! This is the time for “fun-in-the-sun” so make every day productive! Autumn and cooler weather approaches all to soon!
Summer greetings!
For a great number of us, summer and skinny-dipping are synonymous. It is almost impossible to imagine one without the other. Those of us who advocate and embrace body and clothes freedom, this connection is – well – natural and understandable.
Classic skinny-dipping image!
However, to be fair and impartial, ReNude Pride acknowledges and respects that not all of us are aquatically oriented. There are bare practitioner enthusiasts who have absolutely no appreciation, desire or inclination to skinny-dip. To everyone, their own choosing! All of us have our own preferences for fun and pleasure.
A very happy and safe Summer, 2022, wish to everyone!
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride
Author’s Note: The next post entry for here is planned for tomorrow, Wednesday, June 22, 2022, and the proposed topic is: “Pride Time!”
“I Love You” handsign body painted on his bare chest!
My brother, Alex, and I are monozygotic (identical) twins. We were both conceived of the same egg inside our mother’s womb. We share all the same physical characteristics, including our DNA. We’re both ardent and enthusiastic bare practitioners. In fact, the only distinguishing physical difference between us are our fingerprints. We are both Deaf from birth.
Even our sign language (manual communication) skills are, for all intents and purposes, identical. Whether interacting in American Sign Language (ASL), Canadian Sign Language (CSL) or Greek Sign Language (GSL) – our primary language – our hand-shapes, rhythm and speed reflect minimal variation. The only discrepancy appears when professional concerns or issues transpire.
Our Deafness, along with our same gender loving nature and our preference for living bare, is a part of what makes us unique. Surprisingly for some people, it does not cause us embarrassment or shame. It is also a trait that we share with others throughout the world. It is most definitely not a reason to run and hide from others nor to deny it in any way.
Me sharing the “I Love You” handsign totally natural!
Alex and I both recall the times that while at university, we seemed to create confusion and chaos when others learned that were both gay and nudists. Many seemed to wonder how we, being Deaf, could be publicly naked. (Interesting question: all you need to do is to remove clothing)!
Others were even more obsessed with the fact that as Deaf men, how did we know that we were gay. (I guess Deaf men are completely unaware of their individual physical attraction)!
Obviously, the notion that whatever inspires the hearing population is totally useless within the Deaf community never entered their minds. After all, it is simply a much too defiant and radical concept! How can it be possible for the Deaf and the hearing to be influenced in the same way?
Deaf pride: personified!
We may have divergent methods of communication; but the emotions and feelings have very little variance. What works well for one world generally does the same for another. After all, we are all human!
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride
Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Tuesday, June 21, 2022, and the proposed topic is: “Summer, 2022!”
World Naked Bike Ride, London, UK: Progress rainbow body painted design!
As an introduction, World Naked Bike Ride (WNBR) is most definitely not affiliated officially with the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and queer+ (GLBTQ+) community. Many of our culture endorse and support this global effort, but we do so as individuals. There are numerous allied endorsers and or sponsors, but for the most part, the WNBR is an independent international movement of primarily environmental and safety concerns and interests. As the name itself suggests, it is widely popular and supported by the naturist/nudist enthusiasts worldwide.
Our bold and courageous bare practitioner in the above image has decorated his chest with body paint reflecting the Progress flag. This banner depicts the inclusive diversity found within our community and culture worldwide.
Thumbs-up to the WNBR!
The “thumbs-up” approval along with his rainbow designed neckwear is this rider’s salute to the WNBR! The spring and/or summer months, depending on the hemisphere, appear to be the primary time of year for these events to occur. All bike rides are locally generated and operated and there is no central organization to schedule. The majority of registrations and promotions happen online as do sponsorships.
Our man switches his neckwear onto his wrists!
The WNBR is an international clothing optional bike ride with the overwhelming majority of participants riding bicycles but every year with more riding skateboards or inline skates. In 2003, Conrad Schmidt developed the concept of the WNBR after organizing the same for the Artists for Peace/Artists Against War (AFP/AAW). The original WNBR message was against oil dependency and advocating the individuality and power of the human body.
The first WNBR took place in 2004.
Since 2006, the message has simplified and the main focus of the event is cycling advocacy, pedestrian safety and sharing the roadways.
As bare practitioners (same gender loving naturists/nudists) we wholeheartedly embrace, encourage and endorse the following character traits of our community and our culture:
Acceptance: of our body and clothes freedom nature and our sexuality.
Belief: in our inalienable and natural right to determine and to be ourselves.
Confidence: in all of us to be what and who we basically and honestly are without any apology, guilt or shame.
Dedication: in advocating and supporting these principles for everyone, no matter who they are and where they live.
Pride: our shining star!
As bare practitioners we all know that we are entitled to and experience our pride throughout the entire year. Confidence and self-expression are not limited and/or restricted to just the month of June, annually. Pride month is when we, as both a community and a culture, remind the the rest of humanity of who we all are and to celebrate our collective accomplishments and achievements! This is the time of the year for all of us to join together in celebrating, demonstrating, exhibiting, representing, sharing and showing our confidence and pride in being ourselves!
Unknowingly for many but consciously for a few, our pride in ourselves as bare practitioners casts us into the status of role model. Unwittingly, countless numbers of others exploring our community and culture may look upon each one of us as an example – a role model – of a life they find appealing. We may never be aware of this service to others. Simply being who and what we truly are often can and does inspire other.
Back-up plans!
As an accidental as well as an unintentional bare practitioner example, our “option for action” is to continue to live our life. Our nakedness and our sexuality combined have determined us as “unique.” This uniqueness, in turn, awarded us the unsolicited position of role model to anyone observing our community and our culture.
If someone is curious about our lifestyle as same gender loving and as a naturist/nudist, we should all strive to be as welcoming as possible and reply to their questions. It is also beneficial to know someone of our community who is very receptive and has the dedication and the patience to spend with those seeking knowledge of our lives. The vast majority of us can recall our own exploration of the community and what proved helpful and informative for us.
Coming together as a community!
When Alex, my identical twin brother, and I first began exploring the openly nude skinny-dipping riverside site in the city where we grew up, we were the youngest there in a group of primarily university ages and older. As we are both Deaf, no one around seemed bothered by reading our questions and writing their answers. The major problem for all of us seemed to be reading the handwriting! All the guys there were patient and ready to respond. No one appeared to resent our “joining” their beach!
Bottoms-up!
Twin and I always remembered to thank our role models for both their patience and their tolerance. We had already acknowledged our sexuality so the majority of our questions regarded interacting among the same gender loving (gay) nude community. There were two of so, so we were often laughed at as being the groups “class.” Neither of us are able to recall if any of our “tutors” had shared with us their major as being education.
As bare practitioners, we recognize the importance of our service as role-models. In order for future generations of bare practitioners to be happy and succeed, it is our duty to explain and represent our community and culture as best as possible. Our level of comfort in being a role-model often is seen by others as a determination of our dedication to our lifestyle. Nothing could be further from the truth. The personal interaction between role-model and the person we’re mentoring is often the determining factor as to level of comfort.
All of us, as either role-model or as the one being tutored, cooperating together for our common good are making for a better and stronger bare practitioner movement, a community and culture based on confidence and pride!
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride
Author’s Note: The next post entry for here is planned for Monday, June 13, 2022, and the proposed topic is: “World Naked Bike Ride Pride!”
ReNude Pride: Guys Without Boxers! 