In this country there are no more remote places, no desert coves, no virgin beaches, especially in August. And the Catalan nudists complain that this massification, so typical of these times, is also distorting a good part of the nearly 60 areas where anyone could happily take off their bathing suit, and that little by little and in a rather spontaneous way the people who are dressed are appropriating these spaces, so those who prefer not to take off their bathing suits are suddenly in the majority.
According to Segimon Rovira, president of the Catalan Club of Naturism and also of the Naturist-Nudist Federation of Catalonia, surrounded by textiles, as they say in these circles of those who always wear bathing suits, the custom of laying in the sun naked loses all his grace It is a phenomenon that has been increasing for several years and is currently at its peak.
What the hell happened on Red Island? Yes, it has been a long time since this cove of Begur, a flagship among many naturists, ceased to be a place for the general public to discover. That old graffiti that says “Nudist beach” now seems symbolic, cave-like, the legacy of another era. And that stretch of Barcelona’s Marbella, the main space in the Catalan capital reserved for these practices? It was finally swallowed up by the maelstrom of the big city, by the parties in the pubs, by the floods of tourists… And by the historic Waikiki of Tarragona? And that of Roca Plana? Even Borró beach is full of swimmers.
“Guides, social networks, travel reports, have a lot to do with all of this – laments Rovira. “Discover the ten most wonderful beaches in Catalonia, the places you can’t miss…! But the information is often incomplete, people go to these beaches, because everyone wants to find new places in the summer, but they do it without knowing that they are naturists, without having any idea, and then…”. Coexistence is not the same as coexistence.
The truth is that for a long time now, most people have turned a blind eye to nudists, muttering that they are exhibitionists or perverts. Those days are over, more or less. Lately what annoys nudists the most are the half-contained laughter, the ironic comments, especially those that are markedly derogatory… We are mainly talking about groups of young people, families with a lot of children, people in sweatpants…
“And how dare she go like this at her age?”. “Don’t you need a sunshade with this ass?” Yes, most of the reproaches, the indirect ones and some supposed displays of ingenuity, are mainly aimed at women because of their physique. The men are chiefly reproached in a more serious tone for walking as they do with so many children in front. And the fear of being photographed naked and then posted on social networks also makes your day at the beach difficult. Then many back off and put on their bathing suits. There are also many who are thinking about it and give up on taking the last step.
No, naturism is not about showing off and showing off your figure in front of others, says the president of the Catalan Club of Naturism and also of the Naturist-Nudist Federation of Catalonia, but about getting a little closer to nature, feeling -be more free, in harmony… And on these beaches, traditionally apart from the hustle and bustle, what was always there was discretion, silence, recollection… The invasion of textiles also leads to the generalization of other ways to spend the day at the beach. A good example is the growing proliferation of large portable speakers.
So the Catalan Club of Naturism and also the Naturist-Nudist Federation of Cataluya recently wrote to the Department of Equality and Feminism to intervene in the matter, for the Government to improve the signage of these beaches, for it to offer more information about the characteristics of the Catalan coast, to deploy some civic agents on these beaches… The nudists are still waiting for the Government’s response. At the moment everything is in the hands of the good will of the citizens.
In reality, nowadays nudism can be practiced on any Catalan beach, unless the municipality in question expressly prohibits it. Top less is allowed in public swimming pools. “It’s not about forcing people to undress. And naturists also don’t want to impose ourselves where people don’t feel comfortable with their nudity. We accept mixed groups. We understand that many teenagers are stinky, that many women love to be topless only. But people must know where they are going and integrate with it. If you come to a space with a naturist tradition, be encouraged and try it even if it’s just for a while!”
