By Andy

It all probably began with a chance remark around the table during a mid morning coffee break, I say probably, but it may have been the lunch break or even the afternoon break. Does it matter when it was? Probably not. Does the year matter? Again, probably not. What was of importance was the remark. One of my colleagues had said that he'd swum nude and how good the sense of freedom was. I thought nothing more about it and assumed that it was something done abroad but not round here. However a seed had been sown.

A couple of years back, I was approaching a significant birthday. The big five-oh, and I was thinking about what I should do before I was 50. In my mental list was the idea of trying nude swimming. But where to try it? Living and working in the city may have advantages, but nude recreation is not one of them. I looked on the internet and found that one site listed possibilities not far from me; it would take longer to drive through my city than to drive from the outskirts to the venue.

There was a contact phone number. After much deliberation I picked up the phone, dialled the number and spoke to a lady who informed me that although the sauna sessions were still happening, the swims were no longer held. Bother.

And so my naturism was put on the back burner. Until 2006. I checked on the internet and found other sites which were more helpful.

I belong to other forums (fora?) and in August 2006 a strange event happened: suddenly it seemed that naturism was the hot topic on Forum A. I'd been in contact with another would-be naturist on another forum and reported the news from Forum A which said there was a swim taking place not far away. We decided to give it a go, however I had concerns.

It was reasonably local (about an hour's steady driving), but it was being recommended by one of the members (not one of the organisers). I decided that I needed to contact the organiser and get his permission to attend, rather than relying on the word of someone I'd not met. I made contact by email and received a positive response. One bit of advice I'll put in here, is for any newcomer to find out what coins are needed for the lockers. For various reasons I was unable to make it to any of the autumn swims, but there was an opportunity last year, at the end of January.

It was to be held in a leisure centre a cautious hour's drive from where I worked (I work Saturdays). It was due to start at seven o'clock. This allowed me plenty of time to get there and to get some petrol and something to eat on the way. Ideal. And also plenty of time to worry about the event itself.

Fortunately a late customer delayed me to the extent that it was closer to six when I set off. I did some necessary shopping and followed the road southwards. I was still apprehensive about the event. As I drove southwards, I kept changing channels on the car radio, but nothing seemed suitable. I felt hot and turned the heating off in the car, At one point I glanced at a signpost; twelve miles to go and about 48 minutes to do them. It's not easy to slow down to that extent and so I arrived in the town with plenty of time to spare.

(Years ago, I had worked occasionally in the town and so this time I followed the old road and passed my old stamping ground.) I soon reached the leisure centre and parked in the car park. I had plenty of time to eat my sandwich, but strangely enough, I wasn't hungry at all.

I joined the few people waiting in the foyer. I was still feeling nervous. Around seven o’clock someone came and said a few words requesting that we paid with the right money (£6-00). The doors were opened and a steady stream of people flowed through handing over their money. I was standing for a few minutes with my hand holding on to my passport as proof of identity. It wasn’t needed as I paid my money and joined the flow.

As we walked along, I gained my first view of the complex. To the right was the competition pool (six 25 metre lanes), to the left the leisure pool complex. We were dressed for the outdoors and here the heat from below made us realise that we were overdressed. We walked along and down a spiral staircase to the changing areas.

There were separate cubicles to divide the sexes, as well as team changing rooms, but most people found a locker and started to change in front of it. When in Rome … So this was it. No half measures, no grey areas, it was all or nothing. I started to undress along with everyone else. Everyone was too preoccupied with getting their own clothes off to pay any attention to a nervous newcomer. After putting my clothes in the locker and locking it, my thoughts were occupied struggling with the buckle on the wrist strap. I finally managed to fasten it. More importantly I realised that I was wearing the same cloak of invisibility as everyone else. There was nothing unusual, it just felt natural.

My next step was one that marked me out as a newcomer. I suppose it could happen to anyone in my position of being exposed to nudity - not that nudity can be blamed as the cause. Fortunately one of the lifeguards stopped me going through the wrong door and directed me towards the pool.

I walked through to the laned pool and climbed down the steps at the shallow end. Boy did it feel good! I started swimming to the other end enjoying the sense of freedom. Reaching the other end unclothed was memorable in itself and I stood to take a breather and to take stock of the situation. I immediately realised that I was quite literally out of my depth as my foot reached for the floor. My second length was accompanied by a few coughs.

There were a lot of regulars at the swim, so I learned. Some of these had also made hour-long journeys. I would say that the age range of the people seemed predominantly over 40 (and a fair number of retirement age). There were a few young couples, but not many, and a few families as well. (I can only report my impressions and experiences - but it seemed that the age range was not disimilar to that of the coaching holidaymakers. Maybe this is an opportunity for a travel company!?)

I tried all the facilities (including the flumes - an adventure in itself!) and enjoyed myself. Nudity seemed so commonplace that the sight of someone wrapped in a towel was enough to merit a second glance. There also seemed to be a lack of flotation devices - it looked as though everyone there including the children could swim. Strangely enough, the lifeguards in their uniforms didn’t seem extraordinary. I would say that there were two uniforms worn – that of the lifeguards and the naturist uniform. I was able to talk with the lifeguards without any feeling of awkwardness at being unclothed.

At some point during the evening I decided to take advantage of the refreshment facilities and returned to the locker for some cash. During the break, I spoke with some of the members and found them to be a friendly bunch. I decided I would be returning for the next session.

So, that's my story; since that first time, I've been to further swims, both there and at a place nearby. I've also been swimming textiled and the advantages of not having a wet costume clinging to the body is evident. (It's also easier to prepare for a nuddie swim by just picking up a towel without turning the bathroom cupboard upside down looking for swimming trunks - not to mention the textiled disadvantage of having to repeat the mantra of "Remember to put them on!")

It may sound hackneyed, but to anyone who is thinking about trying nude swimming, if you find out where it is happening, go along and give it a try once as a guest. Don't be put off by the thought that all these strangers can be looking at your bits. They won't be! "But what if I see someone I know?" Well, you'll have someone to talk to if you want to.

If you don't enjoy it, you've wasted an evening, but you will be in a position to form an opinion. Remain an outsider and you'll be judging from prejudice not experience.

And if you do enjoy it, just think of all those wasted textile years!

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