Western TNSF Festival 2023

06-15 thru 06-18

We got back from the Western Regional Naturist Society Gathering, or as it was called, “Festival.” It was held during four days at Shangra La Resort in New River, Arizona. That’s north of Phoenix. I thought a report should be in order.

It started with a Thursday afternoon seminar about free hiking. It was followed by another lecture called “The Future of Naturism.” Both by Ken, it was aligned with this site’s trends.  As it was presented, nude activities, being seen and heard about, is going to change the face of naturism. Whether it was nude public events, or just out on the trail, people need to come out of hiding and be proud, confident and honest with others. These were a theme throughout the festival, which was more like a convention. I was pleased to hear about and see people looking for changes and the ending of the oppressions in a free ranging context.

Ken mentioned how he has tried to get members of this resort out on the trails for a nude hike, over and over, again. His take was frustrated, “These people are not ‘naturists.’ These people are ‘nudist.”’ How can you be a naturist, if you are not out in nature? If you simply like being nude, then….

On Friday, Ken offered a nude hike off campus. The organizer complained how difficult it is to get these nudists to go off of club property. They are frightened and/or complacent caged chickens.

We had to miss a presentation called “History of Elysium Press.”

We thoroughly enjoyed the movie produced by the hosting group from Southern California called, “Disrobed-Why so Clothes-minded.” It was a covid era skit about a zoom meeting with a guy who suddenly finds out that his future in-laws and wife are all naturists. It was adapted from a 1930’s play. It was funny and thoughtful entertainment, if you get a chance.

DF taught Chi Gung/Qi Gong Friday and Saturday. There was some Tai Chi three mornings, as well. Both, I think, are better nude. Even the traditional practitioners call for loose lighter clothing.

We missed a lecture on “Philosophy and Naturist Art.”

The women got together and discussed “Women in Naturism” while I listened to “How we got our beach back.” It was an interesting set of strategies, long term, that were used to get a nude beach back in some way. An ordinance had taken it away. The beach was Bate’s Beach in California. It was presented by the activist, who is an AANR legal team supporter. One thing that I learned, is that to take actions like these, it has to be a long term commitment. It can’t be done with a final victory; one must continue the organization and efforts over years.

Yes, Bob, I brought up the tenant that AANR has about “’appropriate’ places for nude activity.” He mentioned that it is a holdover from AANR as a business interest fund. It was the fear of losing businesses that placed that there.

They all heard me complain. They even admitted that back in the day that AANR opposed nude beaches as their perceived competition.

“Places to go in the Southwest” gave a huge list, including traditional nude use hot springs. The audience updated and added information.

In “Tools for Nudist Research,” the Western Naturist Library was discussed. There are now significant resources online of photographed page by page publications from way back to present. The Florida and Wisconsin libraries are also getting in better shape and more available.

A discussion of challenges around the country with new laws, was led by the AANR people. They are now collaborating with NAC (Naturist Action Committee), the TNSF (The Naturist Society Foundation) law/action arm. The two groups have buried the hatchet. AANR is clearly representing nudist business, but is not against free range activities like in the past. TNS is more oriented to free range, non-landed groups, sigs, etc.. Pay for play is okay by them, too.  Now, they each recognize their common interests.

During the festival, there was a law on Arizona Governor Katie Hobb’s desk to be signed, which made it a felony to expose a child to adult entertainment, also defined as anybody’s nude performing. That would affect nudist clubs. It was put into a bill that was anti drag queen, which is an ALEC ploy for power for the wealthy. Divide, distract and conquer with such issues that create anger and raise money.

On Saturday morning, Hobbs vetoed the rightwing bill. She’s the new Democratic governor. Had her opponent been elected (who still says both she and Trump won), we naturists in Arizona would be targets and this bill would have been passed, probably stronger.

There were classes on knot tying, origami, worm composting in gardens and keeping bees, drum circles, and “How to take Really Bad, Naturist Photos.”

We watched another nudist movie Friday night.

I did a presentation on nude ultra-light backpacking. I had a slide show and showed tactile demonstrations of equipment while lecturing on backpacking strategies. Much of the same equipment will cross over to kayak camping, which brought more interest.

There was a fun thing called “The Ancient Cynics and Public Nudity,” by Mark Story. He teaches philosophy in Washington. The folks took tiny house simplicity to a whole new level. Henry David Thoreau, would be an example of luxury. They went about just owning a sheet of cloth, a sort of sarong. They lived essentially pretty much nude. One lived in an abandoned wine container. They would often taunt those with “more stuff.” I recommend looking up these people online. Finding naked people walking up to clothed peers to complain and embarrass them, hit me as a new twist, in juxtaposition.

How to do Meet-up, and do a newsletter were presented.

I attended, “Writing for “N” magazine.” I talked with Mark Story (presenter, “N” magazine editor) and he’s got me writing for the mag again.

There was a clothing optional B&B presentation and how to.

Another “Women in Naturism” group discussion was done, but this time men were invited. We discussed approaching women in socially nude settings, mostly. A male and female perspective of such interaction was exchanged.

We spent all of our time naked. Most of our time however was naked sitting indoors at the various events that members put on. We of course spent left over time in the Jacuzzi and pool, and hanging around with our fellowship.

We decided to camp. Rooms were sold out and the weather was good for that time of year. DF and I both love a net tent under stars and sky.

We carnuded home with half of our camping food still in the cooler, because the fare at the restaurant was very compelling.

We looked very much forward to dancing, but were very disappointed by the local DJ. No taste, lots of disco, one uninspired redundant commercial dud after another. We left after a torturous hour to shoot pool and attempt a ping pong exchange.

The gatherings are just getting back up after the covid anti-gathering beating. We had fun, but the best is still in the future and that will be something else.

Oh! All of my notes this busy month have been taken with the fun and complimentary www.NaturistSociety.com labeled pens!

I am on the forum of FreeRangeNaturism.com often, if you would like to converse.

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