Personally I think the more normal naturism is the less of an issue it will be
If it comes up in conversation I never hide the fact that we are naturists .... I think this probably helps for people to see us as normal and just people who like to be naked.
We clearly need to encourage our ladies I am so lucky in that my wife is as into it as I am however I can see why ladies get put off, some things I have seen at beeches have really not been nice and sadly it's always single guys ... Obviously not all single guys are like this but those that are dont help the situation
You turn up at events and ladies are always way out numbered which for some is going to be off putting so I can understand why clubs may wish to keep a balance I guess it is their business how they wish to run their club.
We go quite regularly to Dilly Dallys, this is a couples only venue it does have a different feel as there is always 50 / 50 male / female spilt not saying this is better but it is different
We also go to a swim and there is a 7-10  to 1 spilt I would say on most nights we still enjoy the swim

The answer really I think is to work on everyone so naturism is seen as normal then a lot of issues will disappear

Simon

The 7 to 1 ratio is about the same as there used to be at the early morning sessions at Tooting Bec Lido when I lived in the area.

Hi Naked Camperman.

You might want to try visiting Broadlands in Norfolk.  They still have a selection process for joining, but are happy to welcome singles for visits.

I have been there a couple of times now on day trips as I found that my trips to Holkham had become somewhat uncomfortable due to some of the undesireables and the over zealous wardens.

All the people I met at the site were very welcoming and friendly.

Kev

Before we started at watford swim we used to swim at Stevenage pool same sort of time ( bit earlier actually ) and the ratio was way closer to 1-1 maybe the early morning were putting ladies off ? Girls swimming together, alone with guys, lone guys etc

Si

Thanks for the replies guys,

It is pleasing to know I am not alone.  I think for the time being I will stick to my few camp-sites that I visit as no real rules apply.

Flexibility and a laid back approach to naturism is key for me.

Joining some of the Naturist groups such as BN is not really what I want to do at this stage, unfortunately this seems to be a rule set in stone to visit a 'landed club'.

I may look a little further into suntreckers. 🙂

Thanks for the replies guys,

It is pleasing to know I am not alone.  I think for the time being I will stick to my few camp-sites that I visit as no real rules apply.

Flexibility and a laid back approach to naturism is key for me.

Joining some of the Naturist groups such as BN is not really what I want to do at this stage, unfortunately this seems to be a rule set in stone to visit a 'landed club'.

I may look a little further into suntreckers. 🙂

Would not say "set in stone" but I was told it does help - apparently, being member of BN demonstrates that you are truly a naturist. Didn't help me get into Avonvale though.

can understand why females could be put off by so many naked men. If there were more females then they probably would not feel threatened. Why do the foreigners seem to enjoy naturism better than the English or is it the stiff upper lip brigade.

can understand why females could be put off by so many naked men. If there were more females then they probably would not feel threatened. Why do the foreigners seem to enjoy naturism better than the English or is it the stiff upper lip brigade.

In my experience it is the men who are more fixated on the M/F ratio than women.
I don't know why any more than you do.

can understand why females could be put off by so many naked men. If there were more females then they probably would not feel threatened. Why do the foreigners seem to enjoy naturism better than the English or is it the stiff upper lip brigade.

In my experience it is the men who are more fixated on the M/F ratio than women.
I don't know why any more than you do.

I know why - as a man, it just feels odd to be naked in a situation where the majority of the other naked people are men. It would feel a lot more natural if the m/f balance matched the one in the outside world.

I think we are talking landed clubs here.  Sleaford Swim, like many other swims, does not attempt to "balance the sexes"

My first marriage ended in divorce.  She buggered off with another man.  We had been members of a club for many years and I had been active as one of the entertainments committee.  However, although I was not approached in any way, I felt awkward after my wife left.  There was always this feeling that I was considered a potential threat.  I had the experience of seeing a club member cross the road as I approached.  To cut a long story short I did not renew my membership.

Subsequently I met my late wife.  I introduced her to naturism and she became an avid supporter.  Shortly after that Sleaford Swim was formed and we attended.  a few years later we both joined the committee me as treasurer and she was the secretary.  We did try my original club but found it didn't suit us so we left.

My wife died 5 years ago but I am still there as treasurer.  I enjoy the support of the committee and members and no-one gives a fig that I am now single.  I have not tried to join another landed club because frankly I think their outlook is dated and particularly, I am not prepared to argue the toss about my enforced singleness.  I do go on holiday in my ancient campervan and have not experienced any bias on those occasions, so that lifestyle suits me just fine.

At the Swim we make absolutely no attempt to adjust the membership re M:F and at our meetings  approximately 40%  are ladies.  We  are happy having a swim, sauna and socialising just like the textile world does.

When I win the lottery, I will build the best ever naturist club and allow partners to come in CO  😀

I hope you succeed. However in my experience too many people at clubs stay dressed, so that at times anyone who is actually naked feels like the odd one out. Having more people there who have no intention of getting undressed would make this worse.

However I am all for giving newcomers a reasonable of time of be comfortable enough to try going naked, certainly more more than one visit when the weather is suitable. It should also be remembered that at a CO club a man could also always remain dressed, a less likely scenario I agree, however that would arouse suspicions about his motives, more so than in the case of a woman.

John

Very good points, John. Not thought about that  🙁

Obviously something in between is needed then. In Act Naturally film, the girls were allowed to remain clothed for 2 hours then had to strip - is this the sort of thing that would work or would it simply mean they would leave after 2 hours and never return?

Would it also mean that they felt too restricted and would not return (no one likes over zealous regulations)? Perhaps being allowed to wear a towel/bikini and then removing when they felt a bit more comfortable?

Another thought occurs - is the numbers at landed clubs dwindling not because of the rules and regulations and m/f ratios but because people are just not interested in joining/attending?

When I win the lottery, I will build the best ever naturist club and allow partners to come in CO  😀

I hope you succeed. However in my experience too many people at clubs stay dressed, so that at times anyone who is actually naked feels like the odd one out. Having more people there who have no intention of getting undressed would make this worse.

However I am all for giving newcomers a reasonable of time of be comfortable enough to try going naked, certainly more more than one visit when the weather is suitable. It should also be remembered that at a CO club a man could also always remain dressed, a less likely scenario I agree, however that would arouse suspicions about his motives, more so than in the case of a woman.

John

I am in sympathy with this. The fact is, naturist clubs should be just that, naturist clubs, when the weather and circumstances are suitable. Having a policy to ease newcomers in is one thing and ok, but I would not be happy or see the point in paying £200 odd a year to join a club if at any one time half of people there remained dressed. I can mix with dressed people for nothing in the world outside.

Again, another really good point and very valid to the argument, thanks Brigitte.

It seems there are so many angles to this problem and everyone brings a new perspective.

The problem is not just confined to clubs here but also in a quite a few 'naturist' resorts abroad by reports. Frankly, as a female, I wouldn't be happy being naked in an environment where others, male or female remained dressed. It may be that they are accompanying their other halves, but really, if you cannot avail yourself of the club's facilities like the pool on a hot day, if the club keeps the rules, what would be the point in the end. I would feel just as out of place and silly being in a golf club when I don't play golf.

If you say 'right all are welcome, there is no dress code, people can remain dressed if they wish' then it means I would be sharing a pool with textiles. The whole ethos is lost and I might as well go to my local leisure centre for a few quid. And yes, there is an ethos. On a 100% nude or nearly so beach, it is very tangible. In Spielplatz, it was total. A 50/50 or worse split beach just doesn't have that same relaxed vibe to me, and that is my experience.

As for less people joining clubs, that is true of a lot of things that require a membership fee up front and young people/young families may not have the disposable/do not necessarily want to commit to going every weekend to the same place. It was different in the old days, as people had less choice in where they went, how far they could go and what they did. Doesn't mean clubs are dead though. Once people join the grumpy old gits over 40 club like me, a club gets more and more appealing especially in the light of this last Sunday's experience, when a would be pathetic voyeur plonked himself by our windbreak on Fraisthorpe while we were having a picnic after asking where 'the nudists' are. And I was in a bloody TRACKSUIT!!!!!!

He was told to F off along with a lengthy lecture on misusing the beach and the name of naturism. And you ask why there are no females on beaches............