Some Common Questions

Millions of people throughout the world have adopted the naturist approach to the human body. This is proof that naturism offers many benefits to all the people who open their minds and try something that is so different to how society as a whole acts. That so many people can go naked socially without trauma individually or to society as a whole, shows that simple public nakedness is an innocent pleasure, although much misunderstood. The following common questions are those which we have been asked many times by non-naturist friends and people enquiring about KNP.

Why is it so much fun to go naked?

The sheer joy of diving into water without a clinging costume has to be experienced to be understood. Have you tried it? Having the wind blow across all your body is a sensuous feeling. The sense of freedom when you remove the entrapments of 'civilization' is fantastic. It is simply more comfortable to be free of clothing. Once people shed their clothes they regard each other more as equal individuals and pay little heed to status symbols. People are accepted as themselves and this is a truly relaxing thing. It is known by all New Zealand naturists that they lead a much healthier life, physically and mentally, because of their naturist life. Being naked is fun

How do naturists regard naked bodies?

Naturists know that once patches of cloth no longer focus attention on that which is hidden all parts of the body blend together forming the perception of a whole person. Tabooed parts lose their stigma and each whole body is accepted for what it is ....a miraculous gift of life. Being naked with other people shows a sense of mutual trust and openness not usually experienced with current 'textile' cultural barriers. Few people have been learnt to actually like the complete body in which they live. Women are particularly pressured to conform to fashionable standards. So once they realise that most other women have similar body 'imperfections' women are often much more receptive of naturism than men

What types of people become naturists?

There are naturists from all professions and occupations. Naturists are a cross-section of New Zealand society. Some are young, some are older. Some are married, some are not. Some have strong religious beliefs whilst others have none. Naturists are simply people who have found that in many situations it is more sensible, comfortable and enjoyable to be without clothes.

Do I have to have a perfect body?

If that were the case naturist resorts wouldn't exist because so few people meet the stylised ideals. The concerns about figure shape, scars, and other perceived imperfections is the result of social conditioning which can lead to many people being needlessly unhappy about their bodies. Social nakedness quickly shows you that you are accepted for who you are not what you look like. There are tall naturists and short ones, fat ones and thin ones, elderly people and babies. There is no need to worry about how your body compares with someone elses. Once you take the step and go free of clothes you will realise that everybody else is much like you.

Do I have to undress immediately and totally?

You certainly do not have to strip off as soon as you are in the gate. Often it is the male of a couple who is keen to try clothes-free recreation and the female partner is reluctant. For some people being naked socially is a big step, especially women on their first visit, so it is something that can be approached gradually. Because naturists have a different attitude to clothes, where and when you undress is no big deal. The only rule KNP has about clothes is that no swimming costumes are to be worn in the pool, spas, or sauna. And once you have experienced the joy of swimming naked you will not want to wear them anyway. The expectation is that when suitable weather conditions prevail you will shed your clothes - but as already noted with some leeway for newcomers.

Do people go naked all the time at a naturist venue?

Certainly not. When the weather is bad, or you are performing some task where clothing provides protection, or you are getting sunburnt, it is perfectly normal and sensible to wear something. We all have different tolerances to heat and cold. Have you tried frying bacon in the nude? Naturists go without clothes when it is equally sensible to do so, e.g. when swimming, playing sport, or just relaxing, perhaps by the BBQ, or lying next to the pool. Naturists use clothes, but are not used by clothes.

What do naturists like to do while naked?

The activities at a naturist venue are very similar to those at any textile beach, resort or holiday park. Swimming, exercising, playing tennis, throwing a frisbee, picnicking, playing petanque, or just reading are all more enjoyable if done without clothes

Does communal nakedness cause sexual excitement?

Social conditioning has convinced a large part of the New Zealand population that nakedness equates to sexuality. Consequently many people believe that men and women can not mix together naked without becoming sexually stimulated. This is totally wrong. It is often the fear of many men, who would be embarrassed by the physical symptoms. But being naked is a natural state and it is the experience of naturists worldwide that they can associate socially with other naked people without sexual arousal. Naturists believe that sex is a normal, healthy, part of life, but one that should be enjoyed by consenting adults in private

Is the threat of skin cancer a reason for not going free of clothes outdoors?

The limited evidence available suggests that the skin cancer rate among naturists is lower than for the population as a whole. There are a number of reasons for this. First, naturism is not about getting an allover mahogany suntan. In a survey of New Zealand naturists less than 20% said that their favourite activity at their club was sunbathing. Also naturists have been aware for a long time of the dangers of overexposure to the sun and they have adopted sensible preventive measures. Naturist venues like ours tend to have lots of shade so people can get out of the sun. Because naturists get outdoors in the sun earlier in summer than the general population they build up a tan more gradually and thus avoid the danger faced by others of getting sunburnt in the rush to get a tan during limited summer holidays. Most of the enjoyment and benefits of clothes-free recreation are independent of being out in the fiercest sun - even though the sun provides the warmth that makes going without clothes outdoors so enjoyable. For naturists an allover suntan is incidental to their lifestyle. Also, exposure to the sun does have demonstrable health benefits. The physical and mental benefits of naturism far outweigh the danger from sensible exposure to the sun.

How do children take to naturism?

Very quickly and easily. Children have to be taught to be ashamed of particular parts of their bodies. In the textile world where people go to great lengths to hide their 'private parts' children become ashamed of their own bodies and develop a prurient interest in bodies of the opposite sex. Sex becomes an obsession and can often lead to undesirable behaviour. In the naturist setting naked bodies are no big deal. Children grow up familiar with bodies of all ages and how they develop Naturism gives children a healthy attitude to people of the opposite sex. They are seen as whole personalities not merely as sex objects. Naturism is great for kids.

So! Trust your inner sense that tells you going naked is being truly human the way we are meant to be.