Press release from Desford Swim
A LEICESTERSHIRE Naturist swimming club is giving local women a safe space to take the plunge and enjoy the freedom of naked swimming.
Desford Swim, a long-running Naturist group based in the village of the same name, is running the free, women-only session as a way to encourage more women to give it go.
Recent research has linked social Naturism to improved body acceptance, body positivity and confidence, by experiencing the huge variety of perfectly normal body types, rather than the unachievable perfection often promoted through media images.
The event, which is free for any women to attend, also ties in with International Women’s Day which takes place the same weekend, and its focus on empowering women, gender equality and women’s rights.
The swim takes place on Sunday, March 9, from 2.30pm to 3.15pm, and is run by women from Desford Swim, with a female lifeguard on duty. Participants are also welcome to stay on for the regular mixed-gender Naturist swimming session which follows immediately afterwards, from 3.30pm to 5pm.
Swimmers have access to a warm, clear, 25-metre swimming pool, as well as a badminton court, table tennis, spacious changing facilities and showers.
Desford Swim club member Carol said:
“Swimming without clothes is a wonderfully free feeling, especially after a long winter of being wrapped up indoors in warm clothing.
But there’s also an important message about giving women a safe space to feel comfortable in their own skin, away from judgement or the unrealistic expectations of the kind of female body ideas we are so often exposed to.
Research in 2020 by Dr Keon West, of Goldsmith’s College, London, found that even among non-naturists, participation in a nudity-based activity showed improvements in their body image, self-esteem and overall life satisfaction.
We’re hoping to attract as many women as possible, from local swimming, sports and other organisations, as well as women who just want to try something new.
For some it might just be a bit of fun and something to tick off a bucket list; for others it could be the start of a better relationship with their bodies. Either way, everyone is very welcome.
Just bring your photo ID, a towel and a positive attitude.”
Women wanting to take part need to book a place in advance on Desford Swim’s website, at www.desfordswim.co.uk