canoeing with friends

[Windthong]

I am new to this forum and really enjoying it!
I am going canoeing with a group of people tomorrow on the St. Croix. I am guessing that they are "textile" folks but don't know for sure. (This is not a naturist organization.) I prefer nude or thong for minimal to no tan-lines. Does anybody have a good way to bring up the topic quickly so I can be comfortable as long as they are not offended? It would be so great to find out that others felt the same way, but in Minnesota, few talk about it.
Thanks.

[Windthong]

I am new to this forum and really enjoying it!
I am going canoeing with a group of people tomorrow on the St. Croix. I am guessing that they are "textile" folks but don't know for sure. (This is not a naturist organization.) I prefer nude or thong for minimal to no tan-lines. Does anybody have a good way to bring up the topic quickly so I can be comfortable as long as they are not offended? It would be so great to find out that others felt the same way, but in Minnesota, few talk about it.
Thanks.

[NudeAl]

Well, I once went to a hotsprings that was supposed to be clothing optional and found everyone was wearing swim suits. I just asked, hey anyone mind if I get naked? NO one did so I stripped and had a great soak.

[nudeM]

If the weather is very hot, then you might suggest, "Boy, it's really hot today. I'd like to take my clothes off and enjoy the sun." Take it from there and check out the reactions. Good luck.

[Windthong]

Yes, I think the hotter the weather, the better the chances will be that people will want to be as comfortable as possible. I've heard that there are parts of the St. Croix that are popular with canudists. I don't know if this is one of them but perhaps the presence of others would help, too. If there are any from Minnesota who have canoed this river, I'd be interested to know what your experiences were. I'm just looking forward to enjoying the sun as much as possible. I'll keep you posted.

[Fresh Air]

Ask what they're wearing...and if need be dress in layers Also, remember that friends are more important that a nice tan, so if your making new ones, try to mirror them. Once they are your friends and accept you for who you are then they might be more willing to accept you for you nudism and even try it with you.

Remember not to rock the boat

Dan

[Windthong]

We went yesterday and it turned out to be all textiles. There was one woman who showed up in jeans and a long-sleeved shirt. She said she really wanted to swim. I suggested that the area is known for nude canoeing and that she wouldn't have to worry...She swam in her jeans anyway. It was 97 degrees out yesterday! This I took as a sign that no one was up for getting naked. I tried a couple other comments when we stopped to swim and even wore a cap suggesting no tan-lines, thinking this might drop a hint without me trying to talk about it. In the end, I kept my swimsuit on and could even tell that some were wondering about a guy wearing a skimpy-back (not thong) swimsuit. I did take it off a couple times once in the water and away from the group. At one beach I floated with the current and got within talking distance of a couple not from our group who were also in the water. As I talked I held my suit in my hand above the water so they could see, thinking that if they were also skinny dipping they would invite my closer. Unfortunately, even at this very remote beach where they were the only ones before we arrived, they kept their suits on too. I am still looking for opportunities to get together with other like-minded people in the area.

[nudenwv]

just strip down! i think that would be the quickest way to see if they mind!

[Cheri]

Whatever you do wear while canoeing, please wear your PFD.
Cheri

[Windthong]

I got an email from someone intersted in knowing about canuding in the boundary waters in September. I am sorry that it was deleted before responding directly.

The boundary waters is a beautiful place and there are many fantastic opportunities to go canuding. You can go long stretches at a time without seeing anyone else, and often that will even be from a distance that you wouldn't have to worry. One thing I will mention is that depending on what part of September you go, it could be getting a little on the cool side even during the day, especially at night unless you are fortunate to be there during a warm spell. Clothed or not, It is truly a gem of the parks in the US.

Enjoy!...And don't forget the bear bags. They'll be looking for food to prepare for hibernation.

[CharlieMike]

I wore a speedo type for a whole summer in high school and played basketball in short shorts and a jock in front several thousand people. As a result I grew up wearing more revealing clothing than today for men.

One time, we were with friends on a boating trip and decided to wear my usual speedo in front of friends. A few comments the first few minutes, but afterwards no acknowledgement of my atire.

Several of the bikini clad ladies spoke to me about my suit. All but one was complentary.

I would not force an extreme such as nudity or a thong but a male bikini would be fine.

Mic

[John P]

I've been in this situation a few times.

For several years I've been canoeing occasionally with a couple that I've known since college days. After a long time I finally got the courage to say, "Do you mind if I swim nude?" They didn't mind (of course) so now I just do it when we're together and nobody comments or acts as if anything unusual is happening. When I'm in an all-male group I just swim nude with the assumption that it'll be OK wth everyone.

But the male half of this couple loves to tease, and when we've been with other people he's said, "You have to watch out for John, he'll be paddling nude if it's warm weather." I might respond, "I'll do that if anyone else does, but you sure as hell won't catch me swimming with clothes on." (Note how "not swimming with clothes on" makes me seem to be doing something intelligent, as opposed to "swimming nude". Sneaky.)

Well, at least that breaks the ice--if there's a swim stop it makes it easy to say, "As Dan said, I prefer swimming nude. Is that OK with everyone?" And so far there's never been a problem, though I haven't managed to convert anyone else. But I wouldn't paddle a boat naked unless it was a naturist group--see the Paddling Bares website at http://www.canoeing.org.

As for wearing a lifejacket (PFD), experienced canoeists, maybe especially naturist ones, don't always do it. It's a judgment call--if the weather's good, and you're on sheltered water with friends nearby, a person might decide that going bare isn't too dangerous. Take away any of those factors and wearing the PFD becomes a smarter decision. But it's safer to wear it, no question.

[Naturist Mark]

quote:

Originally posted by John P:
It's a judgment call--if the weather's good, and you're on sheltered water with friends nearby, a person might decide that going bare isn't too dangerous. Take away any of those factors and wearing the PFD becomes a smarter decision. But it's safer to wear it, no question.

I'd say it is perfectly safe under normal circumstances for an experienced swimmer in non-rapid water to forego wearing the PFD. In fact I'd say it is usually safer since wearing a PFD gets in your way and can result in a more mistakes. You MUST have the PFD with you at all times, but I don't think it is necessary or even disirable for everyone to wear one at all times.

-Mark

[mayfree1]

Conoeing is really great however, I find that kayaking is even better...

I kayak on rivers near the ocean and the ambiance is very relaxing. I would love to go nude but there are many boater about and it may not be appropriate for this time. Last time out, i thought of taking of my trunks and just hanging out but could not get up enough courage.

[Lilwilly]

I have just returnd from a camping trip with 3 textile friends. They know I am a nudist and have said they don't mind if I am nude, so I take advantage of that. I canoe nude and am nude pretty much all the time around the campsite, as long as it is warm enough.

Other campers have seen that I am nude, usually at a distance so no one is offended. We also see other campers swimming nude and sometimes camping nude. It is mostly an atmosphere of live and let live.

When I am in the canoe nude I just pull something over my lap if we are going to pass close to another canoe, or one with children. Otherwise I don't worry about it. I have never had anyone express an adverse reaction.