July 13, 2010 
On Saturday, July 10, Alex and I traveled to Ocean Isle Beach, NC to participate in the World Skinny Dip Record Attempt. Getting dressed on Saturday morning, I actually wondered if I should put on a bathing suit under my t-shirt and shorts, since I was just going to be taking it off later. I decided to put it on anyway.
Upon arriving at Whispering Pines Nudist Resort, we were greeted by a man in a neon green “Event Staff” t-shirt, who was very welcoming and directed us to sign in at the clubhouse. Upon entering the gates, we saw what we, for whatever reason, had not expected. The resort is a campground, so as far as the eye could see were RVs and campers, and walking amongst the campsites were people of all ages and shapes…completely nude. A nude man grilling hamburgers wearing nothing but an apron. A nude woman driving a golf cart sitting on a towel. A nude man strolling towards the pool with a towel thrown over his shoulder.
Attempts were made at composure, but by the time we managed to park the car, we were both howling with laughter due to nervousness and shock. We had to stay in the car for a short while to quash any other giggles, and began making our way to the clubhouse. We were given a short orientation in the rules of the organization and signed our names to be a part of the 2010 AANR World Skinny Dip Guinness Record Challenge. Gathering up chairs, coolers, and towels, we made our way to the pool. All this time, we had remained fully dressed, and were pretty much the only ones I saw that had on clothing. We found a space next to the pool, set up our sunning equipment, and with a look at one another recognizing the inevitable moment was upon us, began peeling off our clothes. I felt silly taking off the bathing suit, although perhaps that’s better to take off in front of people than underwear. Although we usually travel prepared, we forgot coozies, so Alex purchased some official Whispering Pines Nudist Resort coozies, as well as the official “It’s Hip to Skinny Dip” t-shirt for the 2010 skinny dip record attempt (ironic that t-shirts would be sold for an event that celebrates nudity?).
Everyone we encountered was very welcoming and kind, which helped in putting our nervousness at ease. While it became easier to sit in our chairs in the buff, it was a challenge to do most simple tasks. Walking to the bathroom or bending to get something out of a cooler reminded us of how very naked we were. The original skinny dip item on the list is to “Skinny Dip at Midnight” (#83) but by far its a much bigger challenge to skinny dip in broad daylight!
Alex and I were concerned the pool would get rather crowded for the actual world skinny dip (people could opt to jump in the nearby pond as well, which was not attractive to me), so we began making our way to the pool around 2:15pm. The countdown began and at 3:00pm, everyone threw up their arms and we were part of a simultaneous skinny dip around North America!
After the official attempt, we were given “Certificates of Appreciation,” but the clouds that had been threatening all day became more menacing and Alex and I began packing up our stuff and making our way to the showers. It was very liberating to take a shower in the open shower “house” (although it was just me and Alex), and, forgetting myself, I wrapped a towel around me to return to the car to get dressed. Just as we finished dressing, it began to rain, and we jumped in the car and drove away.
We haven’t heard a final count and don’t expect to for a few weeks yet. However, Whispering Pines had fewer participants this year, only 180, down from 260 last year. Searching results for other resorts it seems most others’ attendance were down as well, so I have to hope that there were more sites that participated this year and/or some resorts had excellent turnouts. Even if we don’t get in the Guinness World Record book, the purpose of the list first and foremost is to force myself out of my comfort zone, to have little adventures, to experience all that life has to offer. Well, I’ve lived to tell the tale that visiting a nudist resort is one way to achieve that!
(By the way, my mother knows I went, so again, I stand by the motto that if I can tell my mother about it, its ok.)
Thank you for your sharing . Great blog!
Hilarious….Congrats! My hat off to you! (that’s probably as far as I could go)
Jenn
Thanks Jennifer! and I’m sure you could take off more than a hat…perhaps also your socks?
I’d do it just for the certificate. This is a fun story.
Steve, I’m big on getting certificates, so getting one was very exciting. And even if I didn’t get into Guinness, still a unique experience I’ll enjoy retelling my grandchildren!
First of all, I love the title of this post
Second, YOU GO GIRL! This really is a fun story and makes me want to go to a nudist resort just to see if I could relax during the experience. My adrenaline would be in overdrive. Can’t wait to hear if you made the Records!!
I was actually rather amazed at how quickly I adapted to being nude in public. I think maybe after awhile of seeing everyone else, you get used to it, and…since many were significantly older, it ain’t bad for the ego either!
I’ve thought it over and I don’t think I could do this. Love the post though and congrats on the awesomeness of it!
Miranda, it sounds like you’ve given it a lot of thought. Thanks for the compliments though. Hoping to hear good news about the record in the next couple of weeks!
Well, where are the pictures!
Awesome! It takes a lot to toss off the self-consciousness and just go for it, so congrats on that, its huge! You ought to be proud just for that, in and of itself.
Yeah, Steven, I think everyone should have visit a Nudist Resort on their list. As far as pictures, there were no cameras allowed, although in the big group photo above we are the back right – I have a black visor on behind a girl in a white hat. That’s as good as it gets!
I’m so glad you joined us! The Skinny Dip is a great way for people like you to try what we enjoy year round. Hope we’ll be seeing more of you… um, seeing you more often. And Im in the navy baseball cap front left!! Don’t wait till next July!
Stephen
Stephen-I picked you out of the photo so now I know who you are…kind of. If anything, we had discussed perhaps at least making it an annual event. Thanks for the invitation-we really did have a great time!
The tally is in, 14,110 of us this year, across North America. Glad you and I were there!
Here is a list of participating facilities and clubs, with their verified counts:
http://www.aanr.com/aanr-world-record-skinny-dip
Hope you are with us next year!
Thanks Stephen! I saw it on Facebook yesterday and immediately posted it on my blog!
Too funny!!! I love it!!! So glad u r still working the list!
Hahahahaha! Well done Jessica, this is priceless! Just so brilliant. rx
Jessica,
I appreciate your description of your ‘first time’ visit to a nudist resort as a part of filling out your ‘bucket list’. I would love to hear more about your observations and feelings of your experience. Were all the folks ‘weird’? or did you find them to be pretty much run of the mill folks without clothes? After this experience, would you consider visiting this or another nudist function or camp? Would you recommend that others try nudism? What was the thing that most surprised you about your visit?
I believe that most people have a very distorted and uninformed view of family friendly nudism. I know I did until I experienced it. I think that it really isn’t as ‘weird’ of an experience as the overly obsessive way that folks who have never experienced it first hand try to knock it or make it into some sort of overly sexed orgy type atmosphere.
Thanks!
- tom -
Tom, I hope you felt that my description was very positive about my experience. We certainly felt that the people there were from all walks of life, that you could very easily have met these people at any social gathering, that there wasn’t anything that seemed “weird” about them.
I personally do not enjoy being nude. I don’t walk around my own home nude and so it was difficult for me to do that in broad daylight in front of people. Its very difficult to separate nudity from sexuality and although the nudist camp was very much NOT sexual, it was uncomfortable for me to see young children there. The children/teens that WERE there actually had bathing suits on, but it felt strange for me to be naked in front of them. BUT, I’m glad for the experience and as in all things, would encourage anyone to try it for themselves before “knocking it”
Hmm.. interesting responses….
Perhaps this is not a place to continue this discussion… and if I take it in a direction that is too uncomfortable, I will understand if you choose to end it.
However, I wonder about the ‘why’s of your feelings about your being nude, even by yourself? Where do you think originates?
And regarding the children being nude? I remember when my little ones were small, it was usually an issue, as a parent, that had to be enforced when it came to wearing clothes.. Small kids don’t seem to have any issue with being naked. Teens, (puberty) does bring about a lot of self conscious feelings for many youth, but it usually is a phase.
I know, that I have a pretty tough perspective regarding child safety, yet at the locations I have attended, they are VERY protective of the kids.
What was it exactly that drove the strange feeling being seen by them?
Just interested…. I do appreciate your responses, and am not trying to push you. I guess I am trying to understand why some folks have such ‘issues’ with it. One of the things that naturism has help mature in me is the acceptance of others, regardless. And, as a part of that… ‘its not for me’ is an understandable and acceptable response. I just like to (pardon my pun) ‘peek under the covers’ of the impressions a bit, hopefully to expand my understanding and acceptance of others.
By the way Jessica,
I do respect and appreciate your efforts and ‘daring’ to attend such an event. I know you would be welcome to return. And if you are looking for another event to consider, how about the 41st Annual Superbowl of Volleyball (nude of course) @ White Thorn Lodge the weekend after Labor Day 2011? (actually for the most fun, you should consider coming for Labor Day weekend and staying all the way thru the next weekend!) Our event was even written about in ESPN Magazine a year ago (2009) when ESPN Magazine sent a team to participate!
Is nude volleyball playing anywhere in that list of 101 things?
- tom -
Talk about being ballsy, way to go Jess! I say that I want to hit a nudist resort but actually doing it is another thing. Last week I was reading that “Naked” book by David Sedaris that I wrote about earlier this week, and one of his short stories was about going to a nudist colony. He mentioned the children as well. That creeps me out. I don’t know if I agree with having children (of a certain age) partake in the bare-all lifestyle.
Yeah, the children there were in bathing suits and were “pre-teens” but I felt strange just being nude in front of them. I would have felt VERY uncomfortable with naked small children (4-9-toddlers are ok since they are still mostly babies) running around. But it happens!
Enjoyed reading this post. I have considered the idea, not sure if I would go for it though. I would love to be nude at a private beach though…
Carola.. Most folks ‘concerns’ are gone within the first few minutes @ a family friendly resort. My girlfriend (who classifies herself as a ‘meaty woman’) started coming to our resort just last year, her first time as a nudist. She states that ‘being a nudist’ has been the biggest boost to her self confidence and self acceptance she has ever experienced. Even others, at work, socially, etc out in the ‘textile’ world have commented on ‘something is different, you are more confident and happy..’ She just smiles and says.. its all the camping!
The KEY is to find a GOOD family friendly AANR resort, and perhaps with a friend, or someone you know, ‘Take the Plunge’. I would also recommend checking out GOOD nudist websites for more information. the AANR (american association of nude recreation) is very informative and supportive, especially for women. Give it a visit! And GOOD LUCK!