The discussion have been going on for years... Some purists claim that naturism is a philosophy on its own while nudism is just being naked. Personally we think the difference between the two words is a bit old fashioned and leads to endless discussions.
To be honest: we simply don't care whether you call it naturism or nudism. What we do know is that we love this lifestyle.
How it all started
Back in the summer of 1983 we were spending our holiday in southern France. During one of our excursions, we noticed a sign "Cape d'Agde Naturist Resort". We looked at each other and said "Whow... imagine walking around on a nudist beach and watching all those naked people...". Nobody knew us over here, so why shouldn't we give it a try? We got excited by the idea. So we headed for the main entrance gate. Entering the resort meant we had to take off our clothes ourselves. Rather ashamed we stripped. Here we were... naked... but what about the car keys?
Being both in our early 20s, we found ourselves on a nudist beach... very shy... but at least we survived! During these first moment, Egbert preferred lying on his belly. Time had finally come to look about one! All over the beach, people were lying around naked. Along the coastline, men, women and kids walked by while enjoying the bright sunshine on their naked bodies.
Never before, Else had ever seen so many naked men! Some were very handsome indeed. Whow... some guys were "sized" like in her wildest dreams! On the other hand, Egbert was really relieved when he noticed some men were far more fat then he was. Whow, look there... what an attractive woman... she could have been a Playboy centerfold. Pretty soon, an elderly lady passed by. Gravity seemed to have taken its toll on her.
Oh boy... no time to get bored on this beach! But, you know what happened after taking a very close look for about half an hour? Else, who now had stretched on her towel, started reading her favorite magazine and Egbert finally dared to have a refreshing swim. On his return, he noticed Else had fallen asleep. He had to laugh... how many jokes had he heard at his office about beaches and resorts like these... Frequently, one could hear talking guys about such places as if you could freely have sex at places like these... Less than an hour ago, we didn't know where to look first and now here we were... simply relaxing and enjoying a gentle breeze on our naked bodies.
Kids were having a ball, not even noticing all those naked bodies of different sizes. Suddenly, a woman who had suffered from breast cancer started smiling when Egbert made a mess of his ice cream. At that moment we realized... this was a place where one could be him/herself. You simply weren't judged on the way you looked... . Respect for other human beings, regardless of their sex, age or looks was far more important! This whole idea, the essence of naturism, was such a peace of mind to us, we made the decision to become naturists.
The Sequel
All things come to an end and so did our '83 summer holiday. Back at home, we saw an announcement of a naturist club. We joined the naturist club Athena. This club owns several camping grounds, where one may - weather permitting - practice naturism. As our boys grew up we mostly went to free beaches instead of the naturist club grounds. Last year we decided not to prolong our membership as we have no benefits of this affiliation. Furthermore it's our conviction that no one should be obliged to adhere to any club to enjoy naturism...
Many national nudist clubs are member of the INF, the international federation of naturist societies. The INF publishes an annual naturist directory carrying information about the clubs, beaches and other places where you can practice naturisme in a legal way. This way, we discovered it is OK to walk around naked on most Danish beaches. A few years ago, we could experience this freedom during our holiday on the Danish island Mors. Unfortunately, not all Danish summers are as sunny as one would wish...
Most European countries have nudist beaches. In Belgium, however, it took many years of discussion before the lawmakers finally endorsed a single nudist beach! Our opinion: far too little and far too late! That's why you will mostly find us at the nudist beach at "Neeltje Jans" or near Domburg in the Netherlands. We're living in northern Belgium, so the Dutch coast is within easy reach for us.
Please vote for us !
Recent times
During our summer holidays, we try whenever it's possible to get a combination of sightseeing and nudism. A few years ago, we had a great time at the Euronat resort on the French Atlantic Coast. Euronat is a real village where everyone walks around naked.
Yugoslavia happened to be a real naturist paradise. Due to the civil war tourism got to a standstill for several years. After peace was established again, many naturists found their way back to the Istrian peninsula, where most of the resorts were located. Since 1991, the region forms part of Croatia. In 1999, we visited the naturist resort Monsena in Rovinj for the very first time. Istria has a lot to offer to the tourist such many historical sites.
Nudism = free sex
This certainly is the most common prejudice! Many people who hear we're naturists, immediately think we're obsessed by sex. Like most people, we enjoy making love, but there definitely is NO relation between naturism and free sex! Period.
Naturism is only intended for young and handsome people How many magazines have beauty columns telling you what to do if you want to look and feel good? Ever wondered how many people really resemble those attractive young women you see in almost any magazine? Get rid of the compelling idea you need a great looking body to practice nudism! One look at any nude beach will show you how much variety the human being can have. Allowing to accept your body the way nature made it certainly is one of the great merits of naturism. Besides, doesn't real beauty come from inside?
It's OK to me, but I prefer a bathing suit Well, that's up to you. However, we're still looking for a single good reason why a human being should wear a bathing suit in order to go swimming or sunbathing.... You really don't think it's more hygienic, do you? Or do you believe it's much warmer wearing it?
Nudism is perverse, impure and immoral
One look at CNN or any other major broadcaster is sufficient... our world is full of injustice and cruelty. Every day, thousands of human beings die due to war and murder. Dictators and even democratic elected "leaders" often support military, responsible for killing innocent civilians... Ever wondered how much money mankind spends daily on military issues and weapons intended to kill human beings? These same politicians often take for granted the starving of millions... THAT 's exactly what we find perverse, impure and immoral. What the hell might be perverse, impure or immoral about a naked human body simply makes no sense to us!
Many naturists seem to be afraid when they notice a camera in their neighborhood. Either they get mad or run away... Why?
As a naturist, we aren't ashamed about the human body... how about you? Why hide if someone is taking a souvenir picture at a nudist beach? We think that running away is admitting that nude sunbathing or relaxing is, after all, something we'd rather shouldn't do...
Most people do take pictures on vacation... so why shouldn't we take some shoots nudist beach? In the event that some poor guy has some deplorable reasons for taking pictures, we just don't run away... no... we feel sorry for him!
Afraid that your friends might see you a naked on a photograph? Isn't it time for us, nudists, to gain enough self confidence to tell our families, friends and colleagues we're naturists? Or do you really think the naked body is evil?
Think about it next time around...
Another hot topic are swingers. You will find them on any beach, but due to the nature of nudist beaches and resorts chanches you'll meet them there are a bit higher we suppose.
Die hard naturists consider it reprehensible and decadent. Who are they to judge?
Of course, making love on a family beach isn't done, but on a quiet spot?
Die hard naturists... wake up... this is the real world. Don't run away!
