Coming to a venue near you in July!
The Great British Skinny Dip returns to the UK this July for a month-long bonanza of clothes-free swimming opportunities for everyone. Now in its fourth year, the Great British Skinny Dip is a campaign from British Naturism to raise awareness of the health benefits of nudity.
Even in the enlightened 21st Century, simple human nudity can still be the subject of taboos, prejudice and fear, but studies have shown that spending time naked, especially with others, can make us happier.
Participation in Naturism is on the rise with British Naturism reporting a 5% increase in membership and a 10% increase in new members. Swimming pools all around the country are hired for nude swimming sessions every week and they are hugely popular.
Follow this link to find the map of skinny dip events already scheduled - and keep checking back - we’re adding new ones all the time. https://www.greatbritishskinnydip.co.uk/uk-events-map/
Spokesman Andrew Welch said:
People who regularly shed their clothes know that the benefits include improved well-being, reduced stress and an increase in body confidence. It’s also liberating and a lot of fun! Millions of people worldwide have discovered this simple antidote to the stresses of modern life and we want to encourage more people to experience it.
Got an idea for a venue? Let us know!
ENDS
Contact
For general enquiries about Naturism and the Great British Skinny Dip:Andrew Welch skinnydip@greatbritishskinnydip.co.uk; 07774 955138
For individual information about a particular dip or a request to attend please make contact with the event organisers
Find images and GBSD logo for media projects here
Notes to Editors
• British Naturism (BN) is the UK’s officially recognised Naturist organisation. It exists to support and unite Naturists around the UK and celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2014, although its predecessors were in existence since the 1930s. www.bn.org.uk
• The Great British Skinny Dip is a campaign run by British Naturism aimed at raising awareness of the health and well-being benefits of nudity. Venues, groups and individuals are encouraged to create skinny dipping events in a variety of locations. Some are well used for skinny dipping, some are new.
• Amongst the aims of BN are to campaign for more places to be made available for Naturism and to protect Naturists against discrimination and Victorian attitudes to the human body. www.bn.org.uk/campaigning/index
• Fact - in law, there is no offence of nudity. The Sexual Offences Act 2003 specifically excludes Naturism. Over the years the authorities have often ignored that and used other, irrelevant legislation to penalise law-abiding Naturists and it has caused problems. Recent, BN’s legal team convinced the Police about what the law actually says and persuaded them to implement better training. www.bn.org.uk/policing
• In Naturist places it soon becomes apparent to everyone that there is no such thing as a perfect body and that we are all normal. That’s truly liberating. And despite the perceptions, giggles and fear about being naked with others you don’t feel exposed, vulnerable, judged or stared at. It takes only minutes for it to become completely normal.
• There’s more going on in the UK than people think. In the UK, there are over 100 sun clubs, swim clubs and holiday resorts and many beaches used regularly by Naturists. Events - big and small - happen across the nation, throughout the year. Membership of BN is around 9,000 people with many more being members of clubs affiliated to BN. www.bn.org.uk/activities/placestogo
• Naturism is good for you! Naturists report improvements in well-being, stress, chronic illness, self-esteem and body image. It’s also a sensible choice of dress when the weather is warm. Naturists are normal people. The only difference between activities inside and outside of Naturism is the dress code.
• It is a fallacy to believe that naked children are any more at risk in a Naturist environment. Unaccompanied children are not permitted in Naturist places and the community spirit that pervades ensures that a watchful eye is present. Despite the perception, there are far fewer problems in Naturism than in more “public” places where children and adults mix. Mindful of the need to be aware of child safeguarding issues, BN have a robust child safeguarding policy.
Picture by Rob Tibbles