Sunbathing has only come into its own since the start of this century, and like swimming it is much nicer in the nude. Bathing costumes do not keep you warm, particularly when wet. They have got steadily scantier and more revealing since they were invented, when the original idea was to cover the entire body. Over the years many people have come to realise that they are not really necessary at all. The idea soon spread to Yugoslavia, particularly the Croatia region, which was then on the look-out for tourist income.
Nude beaches draw millions of visitors to Spain, France, Greece and Croatia each year.
British Naturism looks forward to the day when swimming in the nude from a public beach is as normal as taking a bath in the nude at home. Perhaps local authorities will one day have to designate special beaches for people who want to wear clothes to swim. You may laugh - but that is exactly the situation in Denmark today. Until the UK catches up, there is still a lot of work to be done. Even if your local authority has dismissed the idea, British Naturism and its members can try again.