It's Your Life. Live It!

“You can stay right there when the daylight’s gone

Play truth or dare

And it won’t take long ‘fore you and her got nothin’ on … but water“

  Water by Brad Paisley

The signs are everywhere — in the lounge and certainly by the pool. An invite to our house for a meal or a drink in the summer might include a note along the lines of, “The pool’s warm! Bring a suit … or not.”

There’s something truly natural about swimming naked.  Swimsuits always feel restrictive. Taking them off sets you free. The feel of the cool water over your entire body while you float cannot be beat. As an added bonus, when you swim in the buff, you never have to worry about peeling off a cold, wet bathing suit.

Swimming naked is not just for the naturist. Babies and toddlers swim naked all the time. Many American teens have ended up skinny dipping in lakes, oceans, or pools. Europeans, who have long had less puritanical attitudes toward nudity than Americans, permit toplessness at most beaches and full nudity at many. In Germany, public swimming pools (especially the indoor ones) often have hours dedicated to clothing-optional swimming. (As a teenager in Wiesbaden, Judy and her friends would stay away from what they called “nudie night,” not wishing to view the older folks in the altogether. Clearly, she has changed her ways!) In Finland, the sauna ritual is a national tradition, involving heat often followed by a brisk swim in cold water or a roll in the snow. Nudity is the norm. In fact, it is considered a huge faux pas to wear clothing in the hot room. 

It’s no secret to our friends and neighbors that we have embraced this sensibility, especially when it comes to swimming au naturel. Some scoff at our preference —  it’s clearly not for everyone — but some have even joined in. The point is: what you do is up to YOU, not what society thinks you should do.

Come on in … the water’s fine!

©Judy and Greg Romano – All rights reserved.