Time goes by so quickly – it is hard to believe that we are already midway through July. Yet at the same time when we look back over the years of experiences, time can feel incredibly stretched filled with all sorts of memories and adventures, good times and bad. In many ways it seems much longer than a little over 6 years since ANW launched. For us we were living in Spain and had recently entered into the first Covid lockdown. Covid now seems a distant memory and since then we have returned to England, living first in Cornwall and then moving to Lincolnshire.
Our 6 years in Spain had their share of ups and downs but looking back to that time it is much easier to remember it with fond nostalgia. Unpleasant times seem to have faded from the memory.
It is a very human thing to do and it is very easy to look back at the history of naturism with equally rose tinted glasses. Let's ignore the fact that humans have been enjoying naturism (without a word or definition) ever since time began and instead consider naturism as existing through a specifically organised and social life choice. This means naturism has been with us for 135 years: When the Fellowship of the Naked Trust was founded in 1891 by Englishmen living in India.
Though the word itself was first used in 1778 in Belgium by Jean Baptiste Luc Planchon as a way of encouraging healthy living.
During the last 100 years naturism has seen a healthy growth around the world. Here on ANW there are over 4000 locations and venues listed in over 70 countries. A rich history to be proud of. One not without mistakes but one with a lots of wonderful memories. Memories that we can hold dear to our hearts.
Some believe that naturism has seen its heyday.
Visit any club and the older members will recall the grounds being full of laughter and energy.
Multi-generation families, dozens of children at play together, endless naturist summers spent in caring naturist communities.
Some of these communities no longer exist and some that remain are populated by an ageing demographic – many of whom were introduced to naturism as children by their parents and grandparents during those heady years!
Naturism's past has become something to hold dear to our hearts and for those who became naturists in the last few decades it is easily connected to envious thoughts: if only it could be like that again!
New venues small and large, and often independently run are being created all the time and there is also a growth of organised events.
However, in some ways the new naturist experiences are encouraging a move away from the traditional naturism so beloved in the past.
Adult only and segregated experiences are pushing families out and helping to blur how naturism is understood and practised, as well as encouraging mistrust within naturism and without.
Eager naturists are understandably embracing the naturist opportunities they are offered but at what expense?
Where are the parents and grandparents who encouraged their youngsters to love naturism in decades gone by?
What opportunities will the young adults who are currently enjoying 18+ naturism find when they settle down and start a family?
We can even look back with nostalgia at our own naturist journey during our relatively brief 18 years as naturists: as covered in Our Recommended Reading Order. We can recognise that naturism is not the same as it was when we first started out. Something we write about in the article: Our Naturism sees no relevance in being 18 and over.
Looking at naturism today it does feel like the naturism we love is in danger of being lost. Even if we exaggerate how perfect it used to be in our heads we can still hold that ideal close to our hearts:
In our hearts traditional naturism felt safe, felt alive, felt supported, felt innocent, felt happy, felt healthy and felt abundant.
Not just in clubs but elsewhere. We have seen a change in the popularity of beach use in the past couple of decades - despite or because of the organised adult only, ticket led, skinny dips.
It is fair to say that the naturism of the past appeared simpler. Naturists may have asked for less, but seemed to get more, in terms of community, acceptance and friendships.
Some may feel that the INF created their definition when naturism was already heading towards the end of its glory days:
Naturism is a way of life in harmony with nature characterised by the practice of communal nudity with the intention of encouraging self-respect, respect for others and for the environment
Cap D'Agde where the definition was drawn up in the 1970s was becoming a destination for swingers by the 1990s.
It feels like we just let this happen.
It feels like we simply tried to pretend that dune meet ups are not offensive.
We even appeared to act guiltily apologetic when protests demand children be protected from naturism. Instead of arguing to support families and fight for the innocence of naturism we backed down, went into hiding and entered into a dramatic rise of adult only naturist experiences.
Despite naturists promoting using buzzwords like “inclusive” and “safeguarding,” segregation has replaced unity and an interest in a naturist's sexuality has replaced the simple consideration that naturism is for everyone, non-sexual and family friendly.
Naturist side-effect positives like “self-confidence” and “body awareness” are wonderful in essence but mean little when there are suggestions that women need to be kept safe from men, and children and teens are not being offered this wonderful growing and learning experience.
Maybe we will never see naturism reaching the giddy heights of a few decades back but that is no reason why we should not try. Who can do that?
We can!
Whose hands are “our hands”?
We all have the power to direct naturism.
We all have the power to affect naturism.
We all have the power to encourage the growth of naturism.
We just need to decide how we do that in a way that is best for us, for the naturist community as a whole and for the continued existence of naturism in decades to come.
Ideally we need to all be working in the same direction, as a united and organised international community with the same end goals. These goals can bring individual positives but should hopefully be free of any self serving reasons that may do current and long term harm to the growth and understanding of naturism itself.
This is where ANW is perfectly set up to be an international platform of hope for naturism's future. We are truly independent with no geographical limitations allowing people from all over the world to find out about naturism in an honest and respectful way with members having the freedom to share their experiences, voice their concerns and expect to be heard without being silenced for questioning local or national policies.
The ANW community can welcome and encourage all naturists opportunities from small businesses and private enterprises and groups to large national organisations, established holiday resorts and traditional landed clubs.
ANW can be a home for naturists living in countries with no naturist bodies or opportunities.
ANW encourages people who are just starting to learn about naturism to join, and offers free guest membership and free verification to allow those who cannot afford to subscribe or are not yet convinced by naturism.
ANW can be a home for all naturists, for naturist organisations, for all opportunities whether independent or affiliated to national and international bodies to join together to share a mutual and respectful voice united by a passion to grow genuine naturism.
Points of view can vary, ideas may not always appeal to all – but as long as they are true to naturism they can be shared and help grow a truly balanced and honest way to protect naturism for the future.
ANW being a voice not tied to a specific organisation or nation can also be used to bring arguments and ideas into the general arena about topics and truths with only one limitation: respecting naturism!
Importantly; when those that are involved in representing naturism become part of an independent community they will take part in a learning curve listening to the voices of a wide spectrum of naturists in a third party yet naturist specific arena. Rather than only hearing the voices of those who have already bought into their way of thinking. Time in a respectful yet wide reaching community with members from all over the world allows for a less subjective point of view that could lead to recognition for changes of policy and approach. Aiming the future of naturism at a broader audience.
It is with these thoughts in our head that we have chosen The Future of Naturism is in Our Hands as our campaign.
We invite everyone to be part of ANW – and do extend a welcome out to all opportunities big and small – so do tell other naturists and naturist opportunities about ANW. However the campaign is to emphasise that all naturists have a role to play in where naturism is heading and how it is understood. It isn't just in the hands of ANW it is in the hands of all naturists! We can build it up or we can knock it down!
We can all see where naturism is going wrong – but we can change the tides.
We don't have to just accept the pattern of change as the way things are now. We can demand better.
Here is our Lucky 7 suggestions that all organisations, opportunities, groups and individuals should consider as a hands on approach to protecting the future of naturism:
These seem 7 sensible and easy options to put into action, but you may feel that you cannot change the policies of large groups, clubs, venues or organisations.
You can!
Demand change and if you feel ignored and undervalued walk away.
If enough people show they are not happy then changes will happen.
Don't just think: it doesn't affect me. If it affects naturism that is enough.
To quote a fan of “naked apes” – Jane Goodall:
“The greatest danger to our future is apathy.”
If we do hold the past of naturism dearly in our hearts, then we have a duty to to take the future into our caring hands, and ensure it is protected for many generations to come.
Naturism's Future Is in Our Hands. Let's make it the best future possible.
Thanks for reading – Anna and Steve
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