Bernd’s Substack

Open Day at LBN Duisburg

Bernd — Sun, 17 May 2026 21:45:25 GMT

Open Day at LBN Duisburg
On Sunday, May 31, 2026
11am – 4pm
we’ll be opening our doors to you at Druchter Weg 25 in 47269 Duisburg-Großenbaum, and we look forward to offering you a varied day full of sport, nature and community.

What can you expect?
• A member of our club will guide you around part of our approximately 150,000 m² site.
• You will visit various sports facilities where our sports groups will introduce themselves. You may even have the chance to get involved yourself or chat with our athletes.
• Afterwards, we invite you to our large sun terrace with chilled drinks, lovely music and friendly conversations, whilst watching the children play in the spacious playground.
• For dance enthusiasts, our dance sport groups will present rousing performances, and of course you are welcome to have a go yourself.

A note regarding the sauna area and lake
As part of the tour, we will also show you our sauna area and the club’s own lake. Use of these areas is voluntarily and not part of the programme.
Visitors are welcome to attend the open day without having to be naked in any way.

Come by – we look forward to meeting you and giving you an insight into our club life.

Thanks for reading Bernd’s Substack! This post is public so feel free to share it.

Offline, Unplugged, and a Little More Free — Now Back to Everyday Rush

Bernd — Sun, 10 May 2026 23:11:54 GMT

After a 14-day break, during which I was largely offline, I’m back in the digital world.
I spent a week of that time on Helgoland https://www.helgoland.de/en, a small, windswept island some 30 kilometres off the German North Sea coast, which never fails to impress with its unique atmosphere. The reason for my visit was the annual, now almost legendary three-day punk rock festival “Rock’n’Roll Butterfahrt” https://www.rocknrollbutterfahrt.de, which transforms the island into a unique, energetic world of its own for a few days.
I deliberately used these two weeks as a sort of “digital detox”. Instead of screens and endless scrolling, the focus was on real encounters, conversations, music and simply switching off. I used the days to find some peace, spend time with friends, go with the flow and simply enjoy the moment – without constant availability or an information overload.
This deliberate break did me good and showed me once again just how valuable such time-outs are.

Unfortunately, my daily life won’t be able to continue at quite such a leisurely pace for the time being, so I’ll be rather busier again in the coming weeks. This makes me all the more sorry that I can’t currently say when I’ll be able to start sharing content about naturism on social media on a regular basis again.
I really hope to find more time for it soon – I’m already missing it a little.

Thanks for reading Bernd’s Substack! This post is public so feel free to share it.

BBC Screenshot: Nudity

Bernd — Sun, 26 Apr 2026 20:57:32 GMT

An interesting report and good podcast, found on the net:

**BBC Screenshot: Nudity**
By Ellen E Jones and Mark Kermode, 24 April 2026
Screenshot lays bare the long, often controversial history of nakedness in film and TV, from shocking and titillating moments, to those that reveal deeper truths about our bodies, vulnerabilities and desires.
Mark speaks to film critic Pamela Hutchinson about the history of nudity throughout film history. They discuss some of cinema's most notable and shocking films as well as how changing attitudes are effecting what we see on screen.
Ellen then speaks to writer and film director Bridgett M. Davis, about her 1996 film, Naked Acts. A film ahead of its time, it explores the nuances of nudity on screen for women, and Black women in particular.
Mark then talks to director Tim Mielants about his existential comedy, Patrick, which takes place in a nudist camp...

Continue to the source:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002vc5h

Thanks for reading Bernd’s Substack! This post is public so feel free to share it.

The COM has selected a candidate to build a naturist hotel at Orient bay

Bernd — Sun, 26 Apr 2026 20:35:43 GMT

Some interesting thoughts and a good read I found on the net:

**The COM has selected a candidate to build a naturist hotel at Orient bay**
By Estelle Gasnet, 20.04.2026
Last year, the Collectivité received an unsolicited proposal from a company, SAS Griselle, to build and operate a hotel on two parcels of land it owns, AW 244 and 809 in Baie Orientale (southern section). As required by law, the COM issued a call for unsolicited expressions of interest to determine whether other parties were considering a similar project on these same two plots. This is how the company Club Orient Hôtel also entered the fray.
Both candidates share the same ambition: “to build a luxury hotel with top-tier amenities” for a clientele interested in naturism. Since the property is located on public land, it is up to the COM to select the company to which it will issue the temporary occupancy permit (AOT). To this end, its departments analyzed the proposals and prepared a comparison.
This report was presented to the executive council at its meeting on April 16. Upon reviewing it, the elected officials noted that “Griselle met the majority of the criteria” (four to two, with five in common), so they approved this bid and authorized the signing of a sixty-year administrative long-term lease with the company...

Continue to the source:
https://www.soualigapost.com/en/news/51991/tourisme/com-has-selected-candidate-build-naturist-hotel-orient-bay

Thanks for reading Bernd’s Substack! This post is public so feel free to share it.

The story behind the first nude in human history

Bernd — Sun, 26 Apr 2026 20:03:58 GMT

Some interesting thoughts and a good read I found on the net:

**The story behind the first nude in human history**
By Sam Kemp, 18 April 2026
Nudity in art has always been controversial.
You may have once read that a Florida school principal was forced to resign after a parent complained that he’d exposed sixth graders to Michelangelo’s “pornographic” statue of David. That parent would probably have been good pals with Biagio da Cesena, the Papal Master of Ceremonies, who deemed Michelangelo’s The Last Judgement – which depicts “nude figures, exposing themselves so shamefully” – too outrageous for the Sistine Chapel. The artist responded by painting Biagio into the work, with a snake devouring his testicles. Let that be a lesson to the prudes of the world.
Nudes, especially female nudes, have been central to art for hundreds of years. Many of the paintings that have made the biggest impact on the art world are representations of the naked human form. Take Botticelli’s The Birth of Venus, Courbet’s The Origin of the World or Modigliani’s Reclining Nude. Clearly, we are fascinated by the female form as a pictorial subject.
What these works share is the idea that the nude body is not simply about eroticism but about representation. For many artists, the human form became the ultimate vehicle for exploring proportion, anatomy and emotional expression. From the Renaissance onward, painters studied the body obsessively, sketching from live models and classical statues in an effort to understand how movement, light and muscle interacted. In this sense, the nude became a technical benchmark for artistic mastery as much as a cultural symbol...

Continue to the source:
https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/the-story-behind-the-first-nude-in-human-history

Thanks for reading Bernd’s Substack! This post is public so feel free to share it.

'Very funny' naked statue of Monty Python's Terry Jones unveiled

Bernd — Sun, 26 Apr 2026 19:47:34 GMT

Some interesting thoughts and a good read I found on the net:

**'Very funny' naked statue of Monty Python's Terry Jones unveiled**
By Matthew Richards, April 25, 2026
A statue commemorating actor and writer Terry Jones has been unveiled in his birthplace.
Jones, best known for his part in the British comedy troupe Monty Python, died in 2020 aged 77 from a rare form of dementia.
His family backed a fundraising campaign to have him immortalised in bronze in Colwyn Bay, Conwy, as the nude organist, a recurring character played by Jones in Monty Python's Flying Circus.
Jones' fellow Python, Sir Michael Palin, attended the unveiling and said the late star would find the tribute "very funny indeed", adding Jones was a "brilliant man in so many ways".
Fellow Python Terry Gilliam also attended the unveiling of the statue on Saturday, which overlooked Colwyn Bay beach in north Wales.
"Mike and I were here last year and we talked to the designer and we captured the real Terry," said Gilliam.
"We've seen the work in progress and it's fantastic," he added.
"We can all fondle his bum, even in death. Children are going to do it and it will be the shiny bit.
"That was very important and we expanded that element when Michael and I were here."...

Continue to the source:
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cpvxe049zwpo

Thanks for reading Bernd’s Substack! This post is public so feel free to share it.

Why Taking My Clothes Off Changed My Life*

Bernd — Sun, 26 Apr 2026 18:58:18 GMT

Some interesting thoughts and a good read I found on the net:

**Why Taking My Clothes Off Changed My Life**
By SlavicUncovered, April 24, 2026
People sometimes imagine that becoming a naturist must begin with one dramatic moment. A wild rebellion, a shocking holiday, or some sudden decision to completely change your life. Mine was nothing like that. For me, it happened slowly, naturally, and in a way that now makes perfect sense when I look back.
I grew up on a farm, surrounded by fields, animals, seasons, mud, fresh air, hard work, and all the beautiful little realities of country life. Nature was always around me, and I loved being outdoors. I loved open skies, trees, rainstorms, birdsong, and that feeling of space you only really get in the countryside. But although we lived close to nature, we were quite a conservative family. We were not running around naked in the fields. Bodies were private, modesty mattered, and that was simply normal family life.
Still, even then, I think something in me understood that the human body itself was natural.
I have always been artistic. I paint, I draw, I love interiors and design, and I’ve always had an eye for beauty, balance, colour, and form. Because of that, the nude body never felt strange to me. It was everywhere in art — museums, sculpture, paintings, books, life drawing, classical images. The body was never shocking. It was human...

Continue to the source:
https://medium.com/@slavicuncovered/why-taking-my-clothes-off-changed-my-life-c0b871ce16f3

Thanks for reading Bernd’s Substack! This post is public so feel free to share it.

Los Gatos nude resort no longer up for sale as owner assesses future

Bernd — Sun, 26 Apr 2026 18:39:18 GMT

Some interesting thoughts and a good read I found on the net:

**Los Gatos nude resort no longer up for sale as owner assesses future**
Famous historic resort drew interest, but no deals
By George Avalos, April 22, 2026
LOS GATOS — A longtime nudist resort near Los Gatos was up for sale for more than a year but failed to land a buyer. Now, its owner is deciding what to do with the 112-acre property.
The Lupin Lodge at 20600 Aldercroft Heights Rd. in the Los Gatos hills was originally listed for sale for $32.8 million around November 2023, an asking price that was dropped to $29.2 million in 2025.
The discount wasn’t enough to entice a buyer, according to owner Lori Kay Stout.
“Nothing stuck,” Stout said in an interview with this news organization. “People expressed interest, but nothing final. We’re not sure if it was the times we’re in or something else.”
A variety of potential buyers expressed interest, according to Stout.
“We had a Japanese developer who wanted to build a hotel resort,” Stout said. “We had two schools that were very serious about retrofitting the property to create a school campus. They are still interested, but there are no offers.”
Stout said an array of factors contributed to various failed purchasing attempts. Some buyers didn’t qualify for a loan, while others became uncertain they could retrofit the site. Tariffs related to China helped torpedo one deal, Stout said...

Continue to the source:
https://www.pressdemocrat.com/2026/04/21/los-gatos-nude-resort-no-longer-up-for-sale-as-owner-assesses-future

Thanks for reading Bernd’s Substack! This post is public so feel free to share it.

New Naturist Retreat in Mexico Celebrates World Naturist and International Nudist Days

Bernd — Sun, 26 Apr 2026 17:27:53 GMT

Some interesting thoughts and a good read I found on the net:

**New Naturist Retreat in Mexico Celebrates World Naturist and International Nudist Days**
04-24-2026
Playa Sonrisa Mexico Introduces "Escape From Civilization Week - Summer Series" to Celebrate Global Naturist Holidays
Xcalak, Mexico - Playa Sonrisa Mexico, a boutique clothing-optional beachfront resort on the Caribbean coast, has announced the launch of its Escape From Civilization Week - Summer Series, a limited-time naturist retreat in Mexico designed for travelers seeking a more relaxed, small-group alternative to traditional resort vacations.
The experience is scheduled for June and July 2026 and aligns with World Naturist Day and International Nudist Day, offering a unique travel opportunity centered on simplicity, connection, and off-the-grid relaxation.
Launching for the first time in 2026, the "Escape From Civilization Week - Summer Series" offers guests a curated, small-group retreat experience centered around simplicity, relaxation, and meaningful connection.
The two scheduled sessions will take place:
June 6-10, 2026, celebrating World Naturist Day and a special on-site birthday beach celebration
July 11-15, 2026, in recognition of International Nudist Day
Set along the quiet, undeveloped coastline near the village of Xcalak, Playa Sonrisa has built a reputation for its peaceful, off-the-grid atmosphere and highly personalized guest experience. With only seven rooms on property, each retreat week is intentionally limited in size to maintain a relaxed and intimate environment...

Continue to the source:
https://www.openpr.com/news/4486335/new-naturist-retreat-in-mexico-celebrates-world-naturist

Thanks for reading Bernd’s Substack! This post is public so feel free to share it.

'Clothing required' clarification reignites Denny Blaine Park nudity fight yet again

Bernd — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 23:58:05 GMT

Some interesting thoughts and a good read I found on the net:

**'Clothing required' clarification reignites Denny Blaine Park nudity fight yet again**
By KOMO News StaffTue, April 21, 2026
SEATTLE — A group representing users of Seattle’s Denny Blaine Park has asked a King County judge to clarify that topless sunbathing is allowed under a court-ordered plan aimed at curbing illegal activity at the historically LGBTQ-friendly beach.
In a motion filed April 20, Friends of Denny Blaine argues the city’s “clothing required” rule for parts of the park was never intended to ban toplessness and is being misapplied by private security patrols hired by nearby homeowners.
The filing comes amid an ongoing legal dispute over conditions at the Lake Washington park, where a judge last year found evidence of public nuisance tied to lewd conduct, drug use, and other illegal activity.
The court ordered Seattle to implement an abatement plan rather than close the park outright, dividing it into “clothing optional” and “clothing required” zones.
Friends of Denny Blaine says that the plan targets “public sex acts, masturbation, and indecent exposure,” not simple toplessness, which the group says has been part of the park’s culture for decades.
“Our position is quite simple: toplessness is not nudity and should be allowed,” the group said in a separate statement announcing the filing.
Dispute over enforcement
According to the motion, Seattle police and park rangers have indicated that toplessness is not prohibited in the clothing-required areas. But the group says private security guards have repeatedly told visitors to cover their chests and, in some cases, contacted police to report violations...

Continue to the source:
https://komonews.com/news/local/denny-blaine-park-nudity-fight-erupts-again-over-clothing-required-clarification-seattle-nude-beach-recreation-topless-lgbtq-community-identity-women-transgender-history-accessibility-discrimination-family-tourism

Thanks for reading Bernd’s Substack! This post is public so feel free to share it.

Barre Bans Public Nudity, Citing Inquiry From Nude Taxi Driver

Bernd — Sun, 19 Apr 2026 22:19:37 GMT

Some interesting thoughts and a good read I found on the net:

**Barre Bans Public Nudity, Citing Inquiry From Nude Taxi Driver**
By Gina Tron, April 14, 2026
Barre will soon have its first-ever public nudity ordinance, which will go into effect in late April.
During a March 24 meeting, the Barre City Council introduced the first reading of a public nudity ordinance. During that discussion, Mayor Thom Lauzon noted that Barre has gone more than 200 years without a public nudity ordinance and this would mark a change in that. At an April 7 meeting, they held a second hearing of the ordinance, which the council unanimously adopted. It will be enacted by late April.
Barre City Manager Nicolas Storellicastro confirmed to The Bridge that the ordinance was prompted by an inquiry from “Tara,” who operates a taxi while naked in St. Albans. He said Tara called the clerk’s office and the police department in March asking about applications and permits.
Tara told The Bridge she has no interest or plans to operate in Barre. She said she was merely doing her due diligence in the event she would need to drive a client to Barre.
“I drive a cab nude in St. Albans and I have signs on my car telling people I’m a nudist,” she said. “I call different places to make sure there are no ordinances. For each city, you have to have a taxi license so I wanted to get registered. What is wrong with me calling the city hall or the cops? I was only being safe.”...

Continue to the source:
https://thebridgevt.org/2026/04/barre-bans-public-nudity-citing-inquiry-from-nude-taxi-driver

Thanks for reading Bernd’s Substack! This post is public so feel free to share it.

Is Naturism Healthy?

Bernd — Sun, 19 Apr 2026 18:56:25 GMT

Some interesting thoughts and a good read I found on the net:

**Is Naturism Healthy?**
By SlavicUncovered, Apr 18, 2026
For me, the answer is yes — but probably not in the way you’re imagining right now. Forget whatever mental image just formed, and bear with me.
Naturism, at least they way we live it (my partners and friends and I), isn’t just about wandering around without clothes on and hoping the postman doesn’t call unexpectedly. It’s part of a wider, more deliberate approach to health — physical, mental, and even philosophical. That said, let’s be honest from the start: naturism doesn’t automatically equal health for everyone. Like anything, it depends entirely on how and why you practise it. Lying naked on a sofa eating crisps and watching Netflix is, technically, naturism, i suppose — you are nude; but It is not, however, a wellness plan.
This is simply my perspective — as Asha, through SlavicUncovered — and how naturism fits into a broader, consciously healthy life.
Naturism vs Nudism — Is There Actually a Difference?
Historically, yes — though the distinction has always been a little fuzzy around the edges, much like the tan lines.
In places like the United States, the term nudism has tended to mean social nudity — being unclothed in designated spaces, clubs, or communities. The focus, culturally at least, has sometimes leaned more towards the nudity itself. Fair enough, really.
In Europe, naturism has traditionally has a slightly different feel. It’s been more tied to nature, simplicity, and a kind of back-to-basics way of living — spending time outdoors, respecting the environment, and getting closer to a more natural rhythm of life — with social nudity there too of course. Less “look, no clothes,” and more “look, no clothes, and also not chemicals in my breakfast.”
In reality today, some people use the terms interchangeably, and for plenty of folk it simply means being comfortably nude at home — cooking, relaxing, going about daily life without clothing...

Continue to the source:
https://medium.com/@slavicuncovered/is-naturism-healthy-81f6707dade5

Thanks for reading Bernd’s Substack! This post is public so feel free to share it.

Naturalists not naturists! Cumbrian nature festival clarifies it’s a clothes-on event

Bernd — Sun, 19 Apr 2026 18:22:26 GMT

Some interesting thoughts and a good read I found on the net:

**Naturalists not naturists! Cumbrian nature festival clarifies it’s a clothes-on event**
By Lucy Edwards-Rae 17/04/2026
A Cumbrian festival has clarified that it’s a clothes-on event.
Cumbria Nature Festival – a new three day event set to take place at Rivendell, in Stainburn, near Workington, from May 8 to May 10 – has confirmed it’s an event for wildlife enthusiasts and not nudists.
The festival made the clarification on social media after it received a confused online enquiry.
A spokesman said: “After a recent enquiry we need to clarify – Cumbria Nature Festival is primarily aimed at NATURALISTS…not NATURISTS.
“Whilst we aim to be as inclusive as possible, and certainly do not judge anyone, we are aiming the event at wildlife enthusiasts. Please do dress appropriately.
“And if anyone else has booked in error, please contact us immediately for a full refund.”
The event is set to feature local experts and groups ready to talk about different aspects of the natural world – with no nudism involved...

Continue to the source:
https://cumbriacrack.com/2026/04/17/naturalists-not-naturists-cumbrian-nature-festival-clarifies-its-a-clothes-on-event

Thanks for reading Bernd’s Substack! This post is public so feel free to share it.

Miami Topless & Nude Beaches: What’s Allowed

Bernd — Sun, 19 Apr 2026 17:55:53 GMT

Some interesting thoughts and a good read I found on the net:

**Miami Topless & Nude Beaches: What’s Allowed**
BY Remo Cremona, April 19, 2026
Where You Can Go Topless or Nude in Miami
Topless sunbathing in Miami is legal at Haulover Beach and generally tolerated in South Beach (below 15th St). In family-centric areas like Ocean Drive, traditional swimwear is required. Photography is strictly prohibited at clothing-optional areas, and always use a towel for hygiene.
Haulover Beach: fully legal, clothing-optional
South Beach (Below 15th): topless tolerated
Ocean Drive / Mid-Beach: not allowed
The Curated Edit: Where Clothing is Optional
Miami, a sun-drenched paradise, offers more than just a quintessential beach experience. It’s a city where the vibes of freedom and body positivity thrive under its radiant skies. For those looking to embrace the sun fully, sans the constraints of swimwear, Miami beckons with open arms and clear guidelines.
Topless sunbathing is legal in certain areas like the iconic Haulover Beach, while in others, such as parts of South Beach, it’s tolerated but unofficial. However, in more family-focused areas like Ocean Drive, it’s best to stay covered.
Know before you go — our guide breaks it all down below, from etiquette tips to the best hotels near nude-friendly beaches.
Ocean Drive: Swimwear is Mandatory
The vibrant stretch along Ocean Drive, showcasing Miami’s diverse and lively beach scene, is typically not conducive to sunbathing in topless. This area is a melting pot of beachgoers, including families, day tourists, and locals, making it a place where traditional beach attire remains the norm. Furthermore, in an age where smartphones are ubiquitous, some visitors have reported concerns over privacy due to unwanted photography.
We don’t suggest it—this isn’t an area for topless sunbathing.
South Beach (Below 15th St): The Unofficial Retreat
For those looking to sunbathe in topless in a more accepting environment, the area south of 15th Street on Ocean Drive offers a welcoming retreat. This segment of South Beach is known for its more relaxed approach to beach attire, inviting sun-worshippers to enjoy the sun and sea without the constraints of swimwear tops.
Haulover Park: The Legal Nudist Spot...

Continue to the source:
https://insidemiamibeach.com/miami-beach-vacation-essentials/miamis-clothing-optional-hotels-and-beaches

Thanks for reading Bernd’s Substack! This post is public so feel free to share it.

Peninsula Open Space to Acquire San Gregorio Ranch to Create New Public Access Way Adjacent to San Gregorio Beach; Will Be Opened Summer 2026

Bernd — Sun, 19 Apr 2026 00:25:22 GMT

Some interesting thoughts and a good read I found on the net:

**Peninsula Open Space to Acquire San Gregorio Ranch to Create New Public Access Way Adjacent to San Gregorio Beach; Will Be Opened Summer 2026**
April 16, 2026
CONSENT AGENDA. From the California Coastal Commission meeting on Thursday, March 12th, 2026 at 9:00am, as a hybrid meeting with remote comment. In person was at the County of Ventura Government Center, 800 S Victoria Ave., Ventura.
Peninsula Open Space Trust Seeks to Raise $14M to Purchase San Gregorio Ranch and the Clothing Optional Beach, Create Space for the Coastal Trail and Protect Sensitive Habitats; April 24, 2025
Proposed Development
Convert existing privately owned and operated beach access way to a public beach accessway through installation of: new gravel to restore an existing eroded access road and parking area; boulders along the barrier of the parking area to act as a safety barrier from the blufftop edge; a replacement entrance gate; replacement wood boards along an existing pedestrian beach path; temporary symbolic rope and pole fencing along a social trail, wooden fencing ‘screens’ around portable toilets, and replacement livestock fencing; replacement of existing signage; replacement mobile visitor kiosk; and replacement siding, doors, and roof on an existing barn. Proposed work also includes placement of public picnic tables; removal of a deteriorated mobile home and associated septic tank, and vegetation clearing along Highway 1 at the site entrance to improve vehicular site lines. All proposed work will occur on the private San Gregorio Ranch property adjacent to San Gregorio State Beach in the unincorporated community
of San Gregorio, roughly 10 miles south of Half Moon Bay, in San Mateo County...

Continue to the source:
https://coastsidebuzz.com/peninsula-open-space-to-acquire-san-gregorio-ranch-to-create-new-public-access-way-adjacent-to-san-gregorio-beach-will-be-opened-summer-2026

Peninsula Open Space Trust Seeks to Raise $14M to Purchase San Gregorio Ranch and the Clothing Optional Beach, Create Space for the Coastal Trail and Protect Sensitive Habitats; April 24, 2025:
https://coastsidebuzz.com/peninsula-open-space-trust-seeks-to-raise-14m-to-purchase-san-gregorio-ranch-and-the-clothing-optional-beach-create-space-for-the-coastal-trail-and-protect-sensitive-habitats

Thanks for reading Bernd’s Substack! This post is public so feel free to share it.

Longstanding Sandy Bay naturist element under SANParks review

Bernd — Fri, 17 Apr 2026 20:51:26 GMT

Some interesting thoughts and a good read I found on the net:

**Longstanding Sandy Bay naturist element under SANParks review**
By Thabo Sebata, 11 April 2026
Sandy Bay, South Africa's most famous clothing-optional beach, began over 50 years ago with university students. This unique spot within Table Mountain National Park is hard to reach but draws a diverse crowd who shed their clothes freely. It's a place where old rules meet new ideas, and people connect with nature in a very open way. Despite new tech and challenges, it remains a special place where freedom is celebrated with every tide.
What is Sandy Bay known for?
Sandy Bay is renowned as South Africa's most storied clothing-optional beach, a unique social laboratory where university students first started the tradition over fifty years ago. Located within Table Mountain National Park, it's famous for its challenging accessibility and an unwritten code of conduct governing a diverse community of naturists and visitors.
Tucked beneath Karbonkelberg’s shadow, a whisper-thin trail drops toward a crescent of ivory sand that doesn’t advertise itself on any highway billboard. Taxi drivers won’t brag about it, and Google Maps keeps its name in lowercase, yet every summer the narrow path disgorges a quiet parade of day-trippers who will, within minutes, trade fabric for sunbeams. No minister ever christened the spot “officially clothing-optional”; still, for fifty-odd years bathers have treated the act of undressing as casually as kicking off shoes at a friend’s kitchen door. What began as a handful of university students escaping exam stress has become South Africa’s most storied open-air social laboratory, a place where jurisdiction, etiquette and epidermis overlap in ways no legislature ever planned...

Continue to the source:
https://capetown.today/news/longstanding-sandy-bay-naturist-element-under-sanparks-review

Thanks for reading Bernd’s Substack! This post is public so feel free to share it.

Finding My Ikigai: A More Personal Look at the Work I Do

Bernd — Fri, 17 Apr 2026 19:39:26 GMT

Some interesting thoughts and a good read I found on the net:

**Finding My Ikigai: A More Personal Look at the Work I Do**
By SlavicUncovered, Apr 9, 2026
I thought I’d do something a little different this time. Instead of focusing purely on what I offer, I want to share a bit more about myself — my journey, my influences, and how I ended up doing work that genuinely feels like mine. If you’ve ever been curious about what really sits behind what I do, here we go:
Finding My Ikigai
There’s a Japanese concept called ikigai — often translated as “a reason for being” or “your life’s meaning.” It describes that rare intersection of four things: what you love, what you’re good at, what the world needs, and what you can earn from. When all four align, something clicks into place that’s hard to put into words. It makes everything worthwhile.
Before I get into the philosophy of it all, perhaps I should say what it actually is that I do.
I’m a qualified and experienced massage therapist, as well as a relationship counsellor and sexual and intimacy coach — more on those in future articles. That combination might sound unusual at first — but in practice, it fits together more naturally than you might expect. The body, the mind, connection, touch, awareness — these things are rarely as separate as we tend to treat them.
I just LOVE it. All of it. Not in a polished, professional-brochure kind of way — but genuinely, deeply. I love naturism; I love helping people become the best version of themselves; I love the healing power of touch — so I do what I love most, and it’s my work too. It’s the kind of work that still makes me curious, still challenges me, and still feels meaningful after years of doing it.
When I’m working — really working, fully present, with my hands responding to what I feel rather than what I think I should be doing — everything else fades. There’s a calm focus that settles in, steady and quiet. It’s difficult to describe unless you’ve experienced something similar yourself.
But when it happens, you know. You know you’re in the right place.
How Naturism Shaped My Work
One of the more unexpected influences on both how I work and how I see people is naturism.
Not in any dramatic way. Quietly, steadily, over time.
When you spend meaningful time in naturist environments, something quite simple begins to happen: bodies stop being things to evaluate. You encounter all shapes and sizes, ages and stages, and differences — and gradually, it just becomes normal. Unremarkable. Human.
That shift has had a profound effect on my bodywork practice...

Continue to the source:
https://medium.com/@slavicuncovered/finding-my-ikigai-a-more-personal-look-at-the-work-i-do-2d64bc86e981

Thanks for reading Bernd’s Substack! This post is public so feel free to share it.

Nude awakening: Why young people are embracing naturism

Bernd — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 19:50:16 GMT

Some interesting thoughts and a good read I found on the net:

**Nude awakening: Why young people are embracing naturism**
At a time of toxic beauty standards and widespread body image issues, could taking your clothes off around strangers (in a non-sexual way) be the answer?
By Laura Molloy, April 15, 2026
Last summer, I accidentally wound up at a naturist resort. After mastering the art of holding eye contact with someone whose genitals are aglow in the sunlight, I began to feel as if I’d stumbled upon the ultimate antidote to our current self-image crisis. Here, nestled in a patch of ancient woodland just outside the M25, was a rare spectacle – a community seemingly untouched by the self-hatred epidemic wreaking havoc on the rest of the world.
Residents told me how the simple act of getting naked (naturism refers to non-sexual social nudity in private and in public) had offered them a delightful alternative to a culture where they felt expected to constantly primp and preen or hate their bodies. It allowed them to show up as they were - stretch marks, operation scars, body hair and all – and realise that their insecurities are simply mental blocks enforced by a patriarchal, capitalist and often vampirish beauty industry. In line with much of the global naturist demographic, the people I met were mostly of state pension-receiving age. Yet their lifestyle seemed so radical that I wondered – had young people discovered this too? And, if so, could it be the cure to our collective, chronic insecurity?
“I initially thought nudism was just a thing that old white people did,” says 20-year-old Chris*, who began dabbling in naturism during the pandemic. “Now I’ve found that it knows no boundaries.” He’s one of the many Gen-Z naturists who are turning to the practice to establish a better relationship with themselves and their bodies. “All expectations seem to go out the door once the clothes come off; no need to worry about any superficial details,” he adds.
21-year-old Leah, who says experimenting with naturism has functioned as a form of “exposure therapy” when battling insecurities, concurs. “It’s the most extreme form of self-acceptance, like shaving your head,” she tells Dazed. To begin with, she went to nude beaches on holiday, but now spends much of her time at home and in her room naked. “There’s nothing to hide behind. No ‘flattering’ clothes, make-up or photo editing. It’s just you, which is scary at first but then so liberating.”...

Continue to the source:
https://www.dazeddigital.com/beauty/article/70087/1/naturism-nudism-the-answer-to-our-body-image-crisis-strangers-public

Thanks for reading Bernd’s Substack! This post is public so feel free to share it.

'Jarring in a park': Foreigners weigh in on Austria's relaxed attitude to public nudity

Bernd — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 18:49:02 GMT

Some interesting thoughts and a good read I found on the net:

**'Jarring in a park': Foreigners weigh in on Austria's relaxed attitude to public nudity**
By Rachel Loxton, 14 Apr, 2026
Austria's laissez-faire attitude to public nudity is a culture shock to many foreign residents and visitors to the country. We asked readers to share their thoughts on baring it all.
Whether heading to a spa resort or visiting the beach, there's one thing you can be sure of in Austria: you will see a whole lot of people.
And by a whole lot we mean fully naked. Freikörperkultur (free body culture) – the German term to describe nudism or naturism – is practiced by many Austrians who enjoy doing activities like socialising, swimming, hiking, sunbathing and even cycling in the nude.
Several FKK beaches are dotted around the country, while saunas are usually "textile free". The idea is to embrace the naked body in non-sexual way. It is also seen as hygienic and healthy to be without clothes, especially when sweating.
So what do foreigners in Austria – and visitors – make of this approach to nudity that is often so different to their home country?
'I like to see people being free'
In a recent survey, the majority of The Local readers said that nudity in public spaces in Austria did not make them feel uncomfortable.
"I enjoy the German style sauna. It's a place to be free of clothes," said Nick, 44, who lives in Vorarlberg. "I like to see nudity, people being free and not bound by societal norms."
On our Facebook post on the topic, George Saliba said: "I like that it represents freedom."
Alison Wareham, 54, who's a frequent visitor to Austria and self-confessed Austrophile, said she thinks nudity makes sense in spas and saunas and has never been bothered by it...

Continue to the source:
https://www.thelocal.at/20260414/jarring-in-a-park-foreigners-weigh-in-on-austrias-relaxed-attitude-to-public-nudity

Thanks for reading Bernd’s Substack! This post is public so feel free to share it.

World Naked Bike Ride confirmed for London this summer despite growing intolerance towards event

Bernd — Sun, 12 Apr 2026 19:46:14 GMT

Some interesting thoughts and a good read I found on the net:

**World Naked Bike Ride confirmed for London this summer despite growing intolerance towards event**
The World Naked Bike Ride event will return to London on Sunday, June 14
By Megan Howe, April 10, 2026
Cyclists will bare all on London’s streets again this summer as the World Naked Bike Ride rolls back into the capital.
The London leg of the event, which has run annually since 2004 — interrupted only by the pandemic in 2020 — is set to take place on Sunday, June 14.
Drawing thousands of participants worldwide each year, the ride is described as a protest against car culture, oil dependency, and a call for better safety for cyclists on the roads.
But while the event encourages body positivity, it has faced backlash, particularly in recent years following an incident at the WNBR Essex event, where a rider was punched off his bike by a man who reportedly believed ‘perverts’ were cycling through a residential area.
Organisers of the London ride say this year’s route will avoid both Hyde Park and Victoria Park, as they do not have permission from the Royal Parks. They also claim Tower Hamlets officials warned there was a risk of violence if the event passed through Victoria Park.
Criticism has also come from campaigner Emma Jane Taylor, who argues the event operates without adequate safeguarding. She has launched a petition calling for the event to be banned to protect children from involuntary exposure to adult nudity...

Continue to the source:
https://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/world-naked-bike-ride-london-2026-route-confirmed-b1278211.html

Thanks for reading Bernd’s Substack! This post is public so feel free to share it.