When I was a kid, maybe 8 years old, I saw A, Shot in the Dark on TV. I asked my mother what that place was, and she gave me a non-judgmental explanation. That's what led to my interest in nudism many years later.
This story brought a few smiles to my face. I’m sure it will resonate with many readers as they reminisce about their early nudie days, latch key kids catching nude opportunities before Mom or Dad got home. I can certainly identify with it.
Glimpses of a world where nudity was viewed positively, not sexually, as something natural, beautiful, positive, were like gold nuggets. “A Shot in the Dark”, an episode of “Charlie’s Angels” where Kris goes to a nude beach, an episode of “Simon and Simon” where the detective brothers solve a case at a nudist resort, the occasional story on the news, or an article in a magazine, would all pique my interest. Sure, sometimes those glimpses were presented through the textile lenses, where nudism was presented in jest, as a punchline, as a strange and fringe activity. But I seemed to be empowered with the ability to ignore that view and build my own.
Thanks for the trip down part of my naturist memory lane.
Also discovered nudism at an early age but before The Streak came out. And even today, thinking back on it, I guess I never put the song and my desire to be nude, together. Much like other comments, even back then, I saw Streaking as a “shock factor” activity. I’m sure nudists participated, but for the most part, they were people who did it to shock, be like the song, or because it was the next “In Thing” to do.
While walking or running around nude was then and still is now, it is a nudist activity I enjoy doing. But for me, it’s Not to show off, or shock people. I’ve always been against using nudity to protest or to make a statement. While I whole heartily support “Free the Nipple” movement, I struggle with using nudity to make the point. Struggle because the whole point of Free the Nipple is what society claims is at least, partial nudity. As a nudist, to me, nude IS normal, I feel being nude should be allowed. But using nudity to shock, to get the point across, does more harm than good.
It is however, interesting seeing how the song and Streaking did open people’s eyes to the wonderful world of nudism.
And, I admit to having streaked a few times. By 1974, when I was 22, I'd already been going to clothing optional beaches for 4 years. Additionally, I had performed nude scenes in a few professional plays and modeled for art classes. In a non-traditional way (I'd never been to a nudist club or resort), I was also a social nudist. I lived in Manhattan at the time, and the thought of running through the streets of NYC was so improbable that it became irresistible. When I eventually did go streaking with friends, we were met -- for the most part -- with happy laughter.
There was one time when a friend and I were given a stern talking to by a policeman who then let us go. I told that story in greater detail during my interview with Naked Age podcast (Episode 2, "San Francisco Naked Guy"): https://www.nakedage.co/episodes/episode/2c2455d6/san-francisco-naked-guy
When I attended a ball game in Montreal at the end of game two streakers wearing nothing bit tennis shoes and ball caps ran down tbe stairs and across the field . They ran toward the outfield fence and disappeared in to the night. It was in 1974.
Yes! I was six when that song came out and I remember being inspired by it to run around my room naked, jumping on and off the bed. Like you, it didn’t make me want to streak in the sense of disrupting some event, but rather to seek out times and places to be naked, especially outdoors, and folks to share the experience with. Great article!
My first nudist experiences were similar. I was 12 when Shot in the Dark came to the local theater. I saw it 3 times, but the only thing I payed attention to was the nudist "colony" part. Seeing people nude and outside (well, they were supposed to be outside) just hanging out was totally fascinating - part sensual, part liberating, part just plain "feels good". I signed up to be a nudist immediately.
But this was years after I discovered the - at the risk of overstating - ecstacy, at an even younger age, of riding my bike out to my grandfather's farm, walking back into the woods, taking off all my clothes - every stitch, including socks or flip-flops - and walking and running thru the woods (yes, literally "runnin' around naked"). The further I got from my clothes, the more exciting and thrilling it was to be completely naked outside. The only thing missing was a group of other nude people to share it with.
I was 21 before I went to Black's Beach for the first time and finally got to experience being nude, outside with other nudists, and I thought about how much Inspector Closeau missed by carrying that guitar and air mattress.
When I was a kid, maybe 8 years old, I saw A, Shot in the Dark on TV. I asked my mother what that place was, and she gave me a non-judgmental explanation. That's what led to my interest in nudism many years later.
This story brought a few smiles to my face. I’m sure it will resonate with many readers as they reminisce about their early nudie days, latch key kids catching nude opportunities before Mom or Dad got home. I can certainly identify with it.
Glimpses of a world where nudity was viewed positively, not sexually, as something natural, beautiful, positive, were like gold nuggets. “A Shot in the Dark”, an episode of “Charlie’s Angels” where Kris goes to a nude beach, an episode of “Simon and Simon” where the detective brothers solve a case at a nudist resort, the occasional story on the news, or an article in a magazine, would all pique my interest. Sure, sometimes those glimpses were presented through the textile lenses, where nudism was presented in jest, as a punchline, as a strange and fringe activity. But I seemed to be empowered with the ability to ignore that view and build my own.
Thanks for the trip down part of my naturist memory lane.
Also discovered nudism at an early age but before The Streak came out. And even today, thinking back on it, I guess I never put the song and my desire to be nude, together. Much like other comments, even back then, I saw Streaking as a “shock factor” activity. I’m sure nudists participated, but for the most part, they were people who did it to shock, be like the song, or because it was the next “In Thing” to do.
While walking or running around nude was then and still is now, it is a nudist activity I enjoy doing. But for me, it’s Not to show off, or shock people. I’ve always been against using nudity to protest or to make a statement. While I whole heartily support “Free the Nipple” movement, I struggle with using nudity to make the point. Struggle because the whole point of Free the Nipple is what society claims is at least, partial nudity. As a nudist, to me, nude IS normal, I feel being nude should be allowed. But using nudity to shock, to get the point across, does more harm than good.
It is however, interesting seeing how the song and Streaking did open people’s eyes to the wonderful world of nudism.
I really enjoyed this piece.
And, I admit to having streaked a few times. By 1974, when I was 22, I'd already been going to clothing optional beaches for 4 years. Additionally, I had performed nude scenes in a few professional plays and modeled for art classes. In a non-traditional way (I'd never been to a nudist club or resort), I was also a social nudist. I lived in Manhattan at the time, and the thought of running through the streets of NYC was so improbable that it became irresistible. When I eventually did go streaking with friends, we were met -- for the most part -- with happy laughter.
There was one time when a friend and I were given a stern talking to by a policeman who then let us go. I told that story in greater detail during my interview with Naked Age podcast (Episode 2, "San Francisco Naked Guy"): https://www.nakedage.co/episodes/episode/2c2455d6/san-francisco-naked-guy
When I attended a ball game in Montreal at the end of game two streakers wearing nothing bit tennis shoes and ball caps ran down tbe stairs and across the field . They ran toward the outfield fence and disappeared in to the night. It was in 1974.
Yes! I was six when that song came out and I remember being inspired by it to run around my room naked, jumping on and off the bed. Like you, it didn’t make me want to streak in the sense of disrupting some event, but rather to seek out times and places to be naked, especially outdoors, and folks to share the experience with. Great article!
My first nudist experiences were similar. I was 12 when Shot in the Dark came to the local theater. I saw it 3 times, but the only thing I payed attention to was the nudist "colony" part. Seeing people nude and outside (well, they were supposed to be outside) just hanging out was totally fascinating - part sensual, part liberating, part just plain "feels good". I signed up to be a nudist immediately.
But this was years after I discovered the - at the risk of overstating - ecstacy, at an even younger age, of riding my bike out to my grandfather's farm, walking back into the woods, taking off all my clothes - every stitch, including socks or flip-flops - and walking and running thru the woods (yes, literally "runnin' around naked"). The further I got from my clothes, the more exciting and thrilling it was to be completely naked outside. The only thing missing was a group of other nude people to share it with.
I was 21 before I went to Black's Beach for the first time and finally got to experience being nude, outside with other nudists, and I thought about how much Inspector Closeau missed by carrying that guitar and air mattress.