Nude and Free: Skinny Dipping at Paradise Lakes Nudist Resort

Swimming nude is a great reason to try nude recreation. (If you are new to the idea of wholesome nude recreation, the American Association for Nude Recreation provides an FAQ). Whether skinny dipping in a pool or lounging in a hot tub, I have yet to hear a person say they like bathing suits better – no matter what age, size, or color the person is.

The Florida nudist resort trip report continues with a look at swimming naked at Paradise Lakes Nudist Resort. The resort provides a variety of ways to be comfortably naked in the water in a safe and accepting environment.

On Thursday afternoon with perfect weather, sunny and in the 80s, the pool had a scattering of nudists. We enjoyed clothes-free, wet-bathing-suit-free freedom in the main pool area.


Paradise Lakes has a uniquely shaped swimming pool (pictured). It’s more of a lounge pool than a swimming pool. When we returned on a warm Friday afternoon and again on Saturday, the whole pool area was jammed with people.

One part of the pool goes 6 feet deep, allowing for swimming, but most of the pool is 3 to 5 feet deep – nice for standing around, chatting and having a drink. A kind waitress brings beer, mixed drinks or whatever.

The pool meanders from the deep section to the shallow section and then a water volleyball section starts. In addition to the main pool volleyball area, Paradise Lakes has a separate water volleyball pool.

Nude water volleyball is a popular social nudist activity at Paradise Lakes. Games are frequent and can be almost non-stop in both pools on Friday, Saturday and Sunday when the conditions are right (time of year, weather).

To get away from it all, head towards the lake. Next to it, another pool and hot tub area provide a hidden oasis within the oasis of Paradise Lakes.


The residents and guests staying in this section of the resort property use this pool often. It’s convenient and nearby other nude recreation activities. The hot tub was being worked on during my stay, but the pool was nice and had room for swimming the way swimming was meant to be: clothes-free.

I close with these 2 important words: "waterproof sunscreen"

Vancouver's Famous Nude Beach: Wreck Beach

With a bunch of trip report updates in rough drafts, I need a break! It is hard to return to work after a nudist vacation!

Comfort is found in the thoughts of upcoming trips. One upcoming destination will beWreck Beach in Vancouver. As I learn more, I will share.

Though not a resort, the people of Wreck Beach organize fun events and are dedicated to keeping nudist history alive for future generations.

Though the 2007 calendar is in the works, the Wreck Beach Bare Buns Run/Walk is already planned:

• Wreck Beach Bare Buns Run/Walk: Sunday, August 12, 2007 at 11:30 am Sharp! Registration opens at 9:00 am at the bottom of Wreck Beach Trail No. 6 in Pacific Spirit Park, Vancouver, BC, Canada. Email beachgirl@look.ca for details.

During the cold winters, the Wreck Beach Swim Club organizes indoor events. Learn more about upcoming events and Wreck Beach at www.WreckBeach.org.

Nude runs, nude runs, nude runs

Interested in a naked run somewhere near you?

A commenter pointed this website out:

www.NudeRuns.com

Put out by the Western Association for Nude Recreation (WANR), the site contains lots of good info about upcoming events. If you have ever wanted to try naked running, 2007 is your chance.

Speaking of nude runs, Pete Williams writes in the Fitness Buff Radio Show newsletter about tomorrow's Cotton Tail 5K Run. Should be great weather in Tampa/Lutz, Florida! Partly cloudy and high of 80 at Paradise Lakes.

Pete Williams: "Remember that scene in the movie "Old School" where Juliette Lewis informs recent streaker Will Ferrall that she's gotten into body painting? Our own Sabrina Vizzari will be body painted on Friday afternoon - possible coverage on the 6 o'clock news - to promote the Paradise Lakes Body Art Festival and Cotton Tail 5K run on Saturday, April 21. The race is at 6 p.m. and is a perfect recovery run for anyone looking for a run between the Escape from Ft. Desoto and St. Anthony's triathlons. C'mon Everybody! We're Streaking...We're Streaking! Through the quad to the gymnasium. C'mon, Snoop!"

Learn more about the run and body art festival.

Adventures in the "Florida Nudist Corridor"

My wife and I just returned from an adventurous weekend at 2 of the biggest nudist resorts in North America: Paradise Lakes Nudist Resort and Caliente Nudist Resort.

They are in an area north of Tampa, Florida I call the “Florida Nudist Corridor” with Paradise Lakes and Lake Como Family Nudist Resort next to each other and Caliente Nudist Resort just 4 miles north. All are about 30 minutes from Tampa Airport. All are important in American nudist history and to the people who experience them.

I met one nudist gentleman, nearing retirement, who was fortunate enough to live nearby. He recalled frequenting Lake Como Nudist Resort in his younger years. The resort opened in the 1950s and was one of the biggest nudist facilities in its day. Due to life events, he took a break from social nude recreation years ago when a place called Paradise Lakes was only an idea waiting to open in 1981.

He soon grew to miss the nudist experience. He was re-married more recently and broached the subject of nude recreation with his new wife. She said she'd try it and now they enjoy nude recreation together, making their own nudist history.

He and his new wife have a membership at Paradise Lakes and visit other resorts frequently, including Caliente Nudist Resort, opened in 2004, where I conversed with the gentleman a few days ago.

For my wife and I, this was our second time at Paradise Lakes and first at Caliente. Our first time at the Paradise Lakes was only a handful of years ago and it was our first time visiting a nudist resort.

Over the next several days, I'll be recounting our story, our experiences at these two Florida Nudist Corridor nudist resorts.

I'll look at what to expect, how much to pay, what to do when the weather is great, and how to make the best of rainy weather that rains out a big event. (In our case, the event was Caliente's Bare Bods and Hot Rods Car Show which has been rescheduled for April 29th.)

Reader opinions might be heard too to expand upon my limited experience.

Nudist Travel Guide Blog's Best Of Recent Nudist Posts

I hope this blog has provided good nudist travel insights. I will be taking a break this weekend to enjoy a nudist vacation. In the meantime, take a look at some of the better recent posts here and by other nudist blogs.

Nudist Fitness Expert / Radio Show Host Offers Nude 5K Race Tips

Inside "Bare Bods and Hot Rods" Nude Car Show

Nudists gather on the Mexico border

Nude Cruise traveler Mike reported from aboard the cruise ship and gave a true account of the experience here. Highlights from his daily trip reports:

Nudists break "On Deck for the Cure" record on nude cruise

Nudist Cruise: How do cruise staff react to nudists? Positively!

What really happens on nude cruises? Insider Report

Of course, I cannot forget the other nudist bloggers out there. Here are good recent posts from some of them:

Do Naked Ladies Turn Men On? (Gymnophiliac.com)

New Australian Nudist Magazine (NudistDay.com)

New study shows sunbathing makes you happy - I bet nude sunbathers are even happier! (TerraCottaInn.blogspot.com)

Nudist Politician Loss Due To Smear Campaign (USAnudist.com)

Late March Nude Snowshoeing (NudeHiker.blogspot.com)

Baby Steps (NothingToDread.com) [a first time report]

Peep! NakedJenBay! (NakedJen.blogs.com)

Nude Bicycling: World Naked Bike Ride 2007

The World Naked Bike Ride event claims to be "the worlds largest naked protest against oil dependency and car culture in the history of humanity." The mission is to "stop indecent exposure to automobile emissions and to celebrate the power and individuality of our bodies! Naked Bicycle People Power!" First introduced in 2004, plans for 2007 are taking shape.

The World Naked Bike Ride event has received plenty of media coverage worldwide in 2006 as can be seen on this list. The event has been mentioned before on Nudist Travel Guide Blog and Tom Mulhall of Terra Cotta Inn has some posts on it too.

The event is not specifically a social nudism event, but may be of interest to nudists who are not afraid to be out in front of the picture taking public for a cause. The cause is centered on the promotion of cycling. In doing so, the event promotes environment awareness, body image acceptance, nude acceptance, and community building.

Washington D.C. has a big event planned for June 9 2007. The group has a permit for the event and everything is going smoothly with their plan "To ride through the United States capital to promote the use of alternatives to oil".



Though a final Seattle date is still being worked out, Miami had 2 rides planned this year. One was for March and the second Miami event is supposed to happen June 9.

London and Paris are also scheduled for June 9th and Manchester, England for June 8th. Here's video from a past London event:

5 Days Nude in Florida, No Turning Back

Plane tickets. Check. Nudist resort reservations. Check. Rental car. Check.

I am ready for a long weekend in central Florida in 2 weeks. Time will be spent relaxing at a few of the nudist resorts - this time Paradise Lakes and Caliente.

Like most people, the money tree is bare (a "nudist money tree") so my travel budget is a concern. Spending money properly allows me to relax at a nudist resort or nude beach instead of worrying about how I’m going to pay for it all.

If you are a frugal nudist vacationer, it's worth looking at rental car options to save some money.

Orbtiz, Travelocity and Kayak are good for comparison. Priceline and Hotwire have the lowest prices. All are worth looking at.

The low price ones come with less choice though. With Hotwire, the car will come from a pool of national or major car rental companies at your destination of choice. Only upon booking is the rental car agency revealed. Once booked, there are no refunds or changes allowed.

Still, my best deal was through Hotwire for $166 for 5 days (including taxes and fees).

The car agency ended up being Hertz. I went to Hertz’s website to see what everyone else pays: $228 (including taxes and fees) for the same period.

I saved $62 - enough to pay for dinner. I may even get a few $2 bills and go buy a bottle of sunscreen at a local store.

I hope the car is cool looking. Would it be wrong to enter a rental car in the Bare Bods and Hot Rods Car Show at Caliente that weekend (April 15th)?

Even still, as long as the radio works, I can listen to the Fitness Buff radio show and Pete Williams who I interviewed on Friday at 5pm on the Tampa area's WTAN AM 1340.