September: A Harvest Festival of Skinny-Dips!
I went swimming recently – sadly, not naked – at a local water park. The weather was cloudy but warm, the silky water a fabulous 20 degrees. No wetsuit needed! But as lovely as the swim was, it would have been even nicer au naturel. It’s strange, really. It’s not as if we have to wear the bulky woollen bathing suits of our ancestors. But even a modern swimsuit weighing next to nothing feels constraining in some way.
All of which is to say: the Great British Skinny Dip continues, and we should take advantage of the opportunities offered to shed our cossies!
This month there are 15 events to choose from as I write this, including some fabulous events at the beach - and you never know, more could be added - so stay tuned.
Let’s remind ourselves briefly why we do this.
First, it feels great!
Second, the more skinny dips there are, and the more friends, family and colleagues we introduce to them, the more we get the word out about the joys and benefits of the Naturist lifestyle.
Third, we want to raise as much money as we can for our charity partner the British Heart Foundation. If you can’t make it to a dip but would like to donate to the BHF – which, after all, is working hard to keep us all heart-healthy – please head over to BN’s JustGiving page.
With all that in mind, here’s what’s happening this month:
September 3
Spectrum Swim, Birmingham. There are also swims on the 10th, 17th and 24th September.
Arundel Lido, Arundel.
September 4
British Naturism: Sunfolk, St Albans.
Portstewart Strand, Portstewart, Northern Ireland. (Last year's great event is our picture)
September 10
Great East Skinny Dip, Clacton on Sea
Wigton, Cumbria
September 11
Northampton Sun Group, Northampton
September 13
Shap Lido, Cumbria
September 17
Yaverland, Sandown, Isle of Wight
September 18
L’Ancresse Bay Pembroke, Guernsey
September 24
Mildenhall Swim and sauna, Bury St Edmunds
Swim with Oxnat - Didcot
Remember to keep checking the Great British Skinny Dip website - click here to find a list of what dips are coming up soon
You’ll find everything you need to know about organising, promoting and joining in Great British Skinny Dips on the website https://www.greatbritishskinnydip.co.uk/the-great-british-skinny-dip, including social media tools, risk assessment forms and a complete fundraising kit. Don’t forget to sign up for the GBSD newsletter, and follow us on social media.
