Opinion – É Logo Ali: Naturism gains supporters and new energy (also) for trails

The first 100% natural experience for each of us is, duh, birth. As we all know, no one was ever born with a cap, swaddling clothes and knitted shoes. But from the first diaper, clothes are part of our identity for the rest of our lives, right? Well, no, it’s not like that. For a substantial group of the planet’s inhabitants, the story is a little different. The practice of naturism, a name that identifies the practice of going without clothes for as long and in as many places as possible, brings together supporters of all profiles and nationalities —yes, even in Brazil we have a good handful of more or less active practitioners. And you know what? Even good walks and beautiful trails can be done with nothing more than footwear suitable for the terrain you intend to cover. It is the practice of naked hiking, or freehiking, in English to basically say this: walking barefoot, free, light and loose.

If the image may seem grotesque to many, and sinful to those who see in nudity the demonic image of the end of time (please do not send this post to that former minister in a little while senator, agreed?), it is worth mentioning before nothing more than naturism is, in essence, a family activity that follows well-defined rules and insists on de-eroticizing the body, seen as something natural to be respected as, let’s say, the golden lion tamarin in its habitat.

As the world flirts with obscurantism and burqas advance, someone always appears to advocate that naturism is on the way out. In one of the main centers and, they say, cradle of modern naturist philosophy, Germany, the national association of naturists, the FKK (German acronym for Freikörperkultur, or culture of the free body), admitted that the number of members had fallen by half. since the 1980s, and currently has just over 33,000 members. In the 41 official national associations in the world, it is not very different.

For the president of the FKK, Christian Utecht, incredible as it may seem, one of the reasons that could explain the discouragement of young people with naturism would be the internet itself, yes, the great basket of nudes of dubious taste. “The problem is the ideals of beauty spread by television and social networks, this perfection of the body made with Photoshop. Young people see this and no longer want to take off their clothes in front of strangers”, he told Folha Lucas Neves reporter, in 2019.

Since then, the Covid-19 pandemic, which has taken all of us off course, ended up generating an effect opposite to what was seen three years ago, leading more people to enjoy the deserted landscapes due to social isolation and go around showing no only her nudity, like all those naturally-fermented breads that we learn to make at home and that have accumulated along the curves of our little bodies. The good news is that it doesn’t make any difference when it comes to naturism, which has as its stony clause the acceptance of the diversity of all bodies. Lard, skin and cellulite, in this environment, are welcome and accepted naturally.

“I don’t see that naturism is disappearing,” says Paula Silveira, 49, president of the FBrN (Brazilian Federation of Naturism). “On the contrary, we see more and more interested people, people who discovered naturism during the pandemic, not only abroad, but in Brazil as well”, she adds.

She explains that, in Brazil, it is important to be aware of the fact that nudity, in public, is illegal and that it is only allowed in specific, closed or demarcated places. “Places with larger natural areas, which are suitable for walking, can be found in the Colina do Sol resort (RS), in the Ecovila da Mata (BA) or in the Macuxi territory, in Paraíba, which requires prior registration”, she explains. Beaches like Tambaba, also in Paraíba, and Pinho, in Santa Catarina, are also alternatives, but their limited extensions, generally less than 1 kilometer, are more for walking than hiking. On the Federation website, tours organized by different entities in various parts of the country can be found.

In recent times, Praia do Pinho has been the protagonist of a dispute between the councilors of Balneário Camboriú, to which the area belongs. They claim that the area is used for sexual activity and that naturism should be banned altogether. For Paula, the problem is not naturism, “but the lack of supervision by the government”, something that the federation has been demanding for years.

“We defend respect in all environments”, she guarantees, noting that “it is not only in naturist places that people have sex in public, but in any place where there is no effective supervision, naturism cannot be accused of what It’s not your responsibility.” The president of the federation also advises those who want to start in the naturist walk, to start, look for groups linked to the various entities that a quick search on the internet and on the federation’s website will reveal, “who attend meetings and meetings, naturists or textiles , to know more about this philosophy, our values ​​and care”. In time: textiles are events that a person can attend wearing their clothes, without the obligation to be naked.

“I would love for there to be greater integration, for people to become much more involved, because naturism is not something virtual, it is presential, it is experience and coexistence”, she explains. And you, dear reader, are you excited to apply sunscreen, repellent and go out there with this group? If so, take a look at the FBrN website and choose your next destination. Oh, don’t forget to bring your towel. Even if you’re not a backpacker from the galaxies, she’ll always be your best ally, both to avoid having to sit directly on the dirt or grass, with all her pesky, nasty beings, and to ensure her sweat doesn’t get soaked where the skin touches the seat.