Artigenda
International Skinny Dip Day
Wanneer: jaarlijks, 8 juli.
Well, let’s get things straight, it’s not necessary to do join in on July 8 on International Skinny Dipping Day.
Up front: you don’t have to participate in it, in the International Day of Nude Swimming (International Skinny Dip Day). The day takes place annually on July 8.
It’s thanks to the American Association for Nude Recreation that
The day is thanks to the American Association for Nude Recreation, which organised its first day in 2018. That makes this day not that old. Of course, the phenomenon of nude swimming is much older. In many cultures, it is considered not done.
International Skinny Dip Day
It is quite simple. The day is about nude swimming. So swimming without swimwear. In days gone by, this was more common as women and men swam or bathed separately. Nowadays, nude swimming is closely related to naturism.
In history, it was quite normal to go swimming naked. There was just no bathing suit. Only later did people start thinking about covering the body. The influence of religion played a role in this. Several religions even banned it. When people started exploring the world from Europe, they considered it “immoral” or “godless” behaviour. In doing so, people forgot that this was once the same way in Europe.
Nineteenth century
In the nineteenth century, things still went wrong in some places. In England, for instance, action had to be taken against boys and men who did not follow the rules very closely and swam naked near cubicles that girls and women used for changing. Eventually, they even went so far as to create separate zones where women and men were allowed to swim. Places like Afworten, Bexhill, Bognor, Brighton, Folkestone and Hastings didn’t take it too closely and still allowed bathing together. Even nude bathing. In 1895, several British newspapers launched an offensive to allow mixed bathing again. It would be disastrous for the British tourist industry. British families who could afford it would migrate abroad, where mixed bathing would be allowed. This caused it to be allowed again. With that, the last segregated beaches disappeared. However, it did make it compulsory for men to wear bathing suits.
The term skinny dipping is an American term and a consequence of developments in rural America. There, too, mostly young people swam naked. It was difficult to enforce bans in rural areas.
World record
There is a world record for the most number of people who ever went nude swimming at the same time. That record was set not long ago. The record attempt took place on 9 June 2018 in Meaghermore Ireland. 2,505 then entered the sea water together. The immediate aim was to raise money for charity. People raised money in the fight against childhood cancer during this Strip and Dip.
Strict enforcement
Today, strict rules apply and are strictly enforced in some places. The reason for this does not always have to do with “immoral behaviour.” Instead, it may have to do with protecting those who want to swim naked. Still, there are plenty of laws and regulations prohibiting nude swimming.
