What to Expect at ON/NO Nude Events

Introduction

It is understandable that embarking on any new venture may make one a bit uneasy. Participating in your first nude event with dozens of other naked people is no different. However, having an advance understanding of what to expect will greatly ease your entry into this liberating lifestyle.

The purpose of this article is to help make your first nude event an awesome experience!

Most ON/NO nude events are swims held at rented pools so the details below are related to such events. Any special information concerning other events will be contained in the event announcements.

When you arrive at the pool …

Your first stop will be at the reception table where club members will welcome you and check you in. They will verify your membership status, accept payment of the admission fee for the event, and answer any questions you may have as well as process membership applications for those who are not yet members. At some pools you will be given a ticket to return at the change room door when we are allowed in. At the other pools, there are no tickets.

Decision time … “Ladies” or “Gents”

You will next proceed to the change rooms. You will only be able to enter once the previous users have all exited the change rooms. Typically, we are only granted access a few minutes before the start time of the swim. Being a naturist event, the change rooms are mixed gender. Feel free to use either change room and don’t be surprised to find men in the “Ladies” and women in the “Gents”. Get undressed and have a shower before proceeding to the pool deck.

Don’t forget your towel

Be aware that — aside from when you are in the pool or the hot tub — it is a gross violation of naturist etiquette to fail to place a towel between you and any surface you choose to sit on.

If you are still feeling a little apprehensive about being completely naked in front of others, wrap yourself in your towel before heading out to the pool deck. Once you see how relaxed and comfortable everyone is and how much fun everyone is having, the towel is sure to be quickly thrown aside.

Respect and appreciate the pool staff

The lifeguards are always dressed and are not allowed to join us ‘au naturel’ so please do not suggest to them that they do so. Remember that there would be no swim without the presence of the lifeguards. Show your appreciation by thanking them for their willingness to work our event — but do not distract them from their duties by attempting to engage them in long conversations.

Questions?

Don’t hesitate to ask Board members or Welcome Committee volunteers for advice or assistance. You can identify them by the bracelets that they wear — blue for Board members and red for the Welcome Committee.

There is now nothing left but to enjoy the experience — and wonder why it took you so long to adopt this lifestyle

A Few Pointers

Here are a few specific points to help make your first nude event comfortable and enjoyable:

    • Before the event, carefully review ON/NO’s guidelines for Swimming Pool and Naturist Etiquette and Policy on Sexual Harassment. These documents are in the New Member’s Package and are also accessible via links on the Membership page of the ON/NO web site. At the same location, you will also find links to ON/NO’s bylaws and Policy on the Protection of Personal Information.
    • The number one rule at all nude events is to have a towel handy and place it beneath you whenever you sit down — other than in the pool or hot tub, of course. That includes sitting on chairs on the pool deck or benches in the sauna. This is for hygiene and protection for yourself and others.
    • To protect the privacy of our members and the pools at which events are held, it has been the long-standing policy of ON/NO not to publicly divulge the locations of the pools. For this reason, we use a code system on our public web site pages. A ‘decoder’ is included in the New Member’s Package.
    • Do not contact the pools directly about ON/NO events as staff have been instructed to provide no information.
    • The times of the swims are listed in the Event Schedule on the ON/NO web site and vary with pool and sometimes with the date. Check carefully. Plan to arrive between 30 minutes before and 15 minutes after the scheduled start time. Before this time, the building may not be open or a public event may be in progress. After this time, the doors are locked and you will not be able to get in.
    • The help of volunteers to install and remove the curtains before and after the event is very much appreciated. The club survives only on volunteer services. If you are going to help put up curtains, please plan to arrive 30 minutes before the scheduled start time. If you are going to help take down curtains, please return to the change room early, allowing yourself sufficient time to get dressed and back to the pool deck in time to help.
    • Lockers are provided for your use in the change rooms at all pools. You are encouraged to bring a lock to secure your belongings (a combination lock is suggested as you will have nowhere to put a key!). Neither ON/NO nor the pool accepts any liability for theft of belongings.

What to bring … and what not to bring

Please bring to the pool: a towel to sit on, your membership card, the admission fee (exact change is appreciated)

You may also wish to bring: a lock to secure your locker, a second towel for drying, flip-flops or sandals, shampoo, etc. (the pool does not provide towels)

Please do not bring to the pool as they are not permitted: any camera, smart phone or other imaging device; a swim suit; skin diving or snorkeling equipment (Note: swimming goggles are permitted)

Above all, welcome to ON/NO and … Have fun!