When I
began my naturist journey it was largely a solo endeavor. With a rare
exception, when I visit a nude/clothing optional beach or Ponderosa or Bare
Oaks I tend to arrive alone, after years or travelling solo for work it far
from bothers me. This does not mean I don’t enjoy chatting with others when I
do visit naturist places, or that I don’t try to convince a close friend to
join me every time I go, just that I am happy either way.
Some time
ago when looking for new ways/places to experience naturism I came across the
GTA Skinny Dippers. This group organizes
events , mainly swimming at local pools, during the long Canadian winter so we
Northern Nudes can shake some of the winter blues. The one thing that truly got me hooked on
naturism was swimming nude. It feels natural, no clinging swimsuit afterwards,
and in the summer no tan lines (so vain, I know). Fate sadly has not allowed me
to attend one of their swims yet, but when Nude Bowling showed up on their
calendar and I actually had a clear day on my usually swamped weekend schedule,
off I went!
I only live
15-20 minutes away from the event which worked out nice. Being excited I
arrived really early, saw a large kids party still going strong so I was forced
to wait patiently at the nearby coffee shop (never a Tim Hortons too far away
in Canada). I have to say the guy who
ran the event had his ducks in a row, windows started being covered as soon, if
not before, the previous party cleared, there was an easy signup, pay your
admission, get a free pen (thank you very much!) and then just wait for the all
clear. While waiting you were able to
sign your name to a lane, being on my own I told the guy to place me at random
to a lane that was short on people, I felt this was the easiest way to meet new
people rather than wandering around asking who had room in their lane.
Clothes Off, Smiles On
As everyone
waited for the go ahead to get undressed, people were already chatting and
introducing themselves to others, one guy was having a hard time waiting, he
had unbuttoned his shirt when he arrived, or maybe he came that way, whatever. Finally,
one woman walked near the front, asked “are we good?”.
I didn’t hear the
reply but I didn’t have to, in
one continuous motion her dress was over her head and like the starting flag at
a race everyone followed her lead. So there
I am, in a bowling alley and naked except for my socks, bowling shoes, and a
baseball cap. I am surrounded by my fellow naturists, I would guess 70 at least,
all smiles, all excited to socialize and bowl.
It did not take long to get past any awkwardness or worry when it came
to actually bowling without clothes.
Bowling, as with most things I am discovering, is no different when
naked, and the novelty of it makes it more enjoyable if you ask me. It was an added bonus as it was 5-Pin bowling
which is a uniquely Canadian version of the game that I don’t think I have played before.
The social
aspect of it was amazing. I shared a lane with a group mixed with both first
timers to this event, a couple regulars, and one gent who was still in his
first few months of trying naturism.
This mix drove a lot of our initial conversation, “How long have you been a Naturist?”, “What clubs, beaches have you been to
or go to frequently?” “Do your family and friends know?”.
This only went on for a short time and before long we were well into the
standard banter you would expect when a group of people go bowling. I have to give some credit to the staff at
Streetsville Bowl, they were very professional.
At no point did I feel awkward when dealing with them, nor did I get a
feeling it was awkward for them either.
Even the banter with the bartender was just another day at the bowling
alley. I wonder if they were naturists themselves, or otherwise they maybe had
worked enough of these events they are not fazed by it anymore. Or maybe social
nudity is just not as shocking as it once was (one can hope).
One of the main
highlights in a night of highlights for me was when going through some
introductions someone says “Will? As in
Will Canada?”. There is no
shortage of conversation online between naturists and knowing some I have
become friendly with on Facebook etc. may attend this event I was hoping to put
faces to some names as it were. It was
wonderful to be able to actually do that and actually get a few games of
bowling in with them too.
Oh and then there was the bowling……
About the
actual bowling, as someone who has not bowled in years, and never 5-Pin bowled
at all, I think I did alright. I never
won a game, but didn’t come in last
either. I managed to get a few strikes in so I was rather happy. I do have to admit I was a bit sore the next
day. Not “I can’t feel my legs” sore, but there was some aches and
pains for sure. I don’t remember
bowling be that physical demanding a sport but there you are. It could have been worse, I like to think
that being naked allowed me more natural, freer movement, which meant I was
actually avoiding further strains had my body been restricted in its movements
by the tyranny of fabric. Makes complete
sense. Everything is just better naked (except cooking bacon)
I also want
to note that I made it through the entire night, and this blog (until now)
without a single balls, pins, or gutter joke.
This above all else is a significant accomplishment for me in any state
of dress.
Special
thanks to GTA Skinny Dippers for putting the event together, and to
Streetsville Bowl for the use of their facility. This was a check on my bucket
list and I am really looking forward to attending future events.
UNRELATED UPDATE:
I added a
few new places to my Naturist Canada Map and expanded some details based on
feedback from people who have actually viewed it. Yes, they do exist.
Stay Naked
my friends!
