Nudism Takes Off in America
By Corey Lyons
Contra Costa Newspapers
July 29, 2003
Life in the raw has its perks.
It is liberating. It builds self-esteem. It eliminates class distinctions, and, for that matter, tan lines.
In other words, advocates say, nudism is no longer just a wacky sideshow in Europe. It is taking off in America.
In September, a 1960s-inspired "Nudestock" festival will be held in Wilton, southeast of Sacramento. Hotel rooms and campsites are already fully booked.
"I think it's a real stress-reliever, to tell you the truth," said Rod Marshall, co-founder of the Diablo Sun Devils Naturist Club in Lafayette.
The travel club, founded by Marshall and his wife, Vera, in 1999, has swelled to about 1,000 members.
"It's a heck of a great time," said Rod Marshall, who plans to attend Nudestock. "We dance naked, go skinny-dipping, jump in the hot tub -- all in a non-sexual atmosphere."
The American Association for Nude Recreation, based in Kissimmee, Fla., boasts nearly 50,000 individual members, a 76 percent surge in 10 years.
This "clothing-optional" lifestyle pushes a $400 million industry, including cruises, flights, train rides and oceanfront resorts.
In May, the first clothing-optional charter flight -- from Miami to Cancun -- had its 170 travelers buckling up very carefully.
Cruises are becoming a wildly popular pastime for those wearing nothing but carefully placed sunscreen. The first nude cruise lured 500 free souls in 1992; this year, seven such ships went to sea.
"The best part of it," says Carolyn Hawkins, spokeswoman for the national association, "is that you travel more and pack less."
Contra Costa Newspapers
July 29, 2003
Life in the raw has its perks.
It is liberating. It builds self-esteem. It eliminates class distinctions, and, for that matter, tan lines.
In other words, advocates say, nudism is no longer just a wacky sideshow in Europe. It is taking off in America.
In September, a 1960s-inspired "Nudestock" festival will be held in Wilton, southeast of Sacramento. Hotel rooms and campsites are already fully booked.
"I think it's a real stress-reliever, to tell you the truth," said Rod Marshall, co-founder of the Diablo Sun Devils Naturist Club in Lafayette.
The travel club, founded by Marshall and his wife, Vera, in 1999, has swelled to about 1,000 members.
"It's a heck of a great time," said Rod Marshall, who plans to attend Nudestock. "We dance naked, go skinny-dipping, jump in the hot tub -- all in a non-sexual atmosphere."
The American Association for Nude Recreation, based in Kissimmee, Fla., boasts nearly 50,000 individual members, a 76 percent surge in 10 years.
This "clothing-optional" lifestyle pushes a $400 million industry, including cruises, flights, train rides and oceanfront resorts.
In May, the first clothing-optional charter flight -- from Miami to Cancun -- had its 170 travelers buckling up very carefully.
Cruises are becoming a wildly popular pastime for those wearing nothing but carefully placed sunscreen. The first nude cruise lured 500 free souls in 1992; this year, seven such ships went to sea.
"The best part of it," says Carolyn Hawkins, spokeswoman for the national association, "is that you travel more and pack less."
posted by Corey at 7:57 PM
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