Press

[jmf]

An article in the newspaper "Dauphiné" in the south-east of France about the association The Naked Walkers of Roanne Valley of which I'm the president.

"They practice "naked hiking".
These adepts speak of the virtues of the sun's rays, rich in vitamin D, and of being at one with nature, sensory sensors alert, the wind having the effect of a caress on the epidermis.
It has been ten years since Bernard Dato-Actis, retired from Valence (Drome), created the association of the naked walkers of the Val de Roanne, fourth club created in France, after the naked walkers of Provence and the naturists of Marseille. If the South is more suitable for this activity, with the warming, it makes emulators in Brittany and the Association for a naturism in freedom (Apnel) walks in forét of Fontainebleau in the south of Paris in the simplest apparatus.
Not to shock the others. For Bemard Dato-Actis, the goal fixed ten years ago is reached: to be accepted and respected on the paths of Drome, particularly of Diois. The association, declared in the prefecture, is affiliated to the French Federation of Hiking. << And our newsletters are transmitted to the gendarmerie. >>
Big shoes or sandals, backpack, cap and nothing on the body, these daring walkers come out of the naturist camps. Today, they are part of the landscape, with a panel of 140 hikes and about thirty regular members. The recipe? To encourage the mix of the groups, by accepting the "textiles" and not to shock the other users of the paths by covering itself in the event of unexpected encounters.
Because the pitfall lies in the Penal Code, article 222-32 punishing the offence of exhibitionism. Walking around naked in a public place is punishable by one year in prison and 15,000 euros fine. << We hardly cover ourselves anymore, unless we feel a dicomfort. It happens that we meet 80 people without covering ourselves, we are known now. >>
The association radiates in the south-east of the country and counts its pillars such as Francis, from Alpes- de-Haute-Provence, who joined the brotherhood of the bare-assed walkers after an advertisement in Naturisme magazine, and Jacques Marie, the Grenoble native who took over the reins. And even a couple of teachers from Strasbourg who organize every summer a trip to Austria. A week in the nude and in the nude on the slopes.

Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)

[jbeegoode]

Congratulation on your progress.

The strategy to walk with textile hikers does create a proof of lack of exhibitionism, nullifying the law. How can it be unaccepted, if there are people with you who are accepting your state of undress? Beautiful. Maybe, we need to bringing that into play here.

Maybe we need to get the mainstream hiking advocates and manufacturers more on board. Nude hiking does attract media attention and backpacking promotion by manufactures love media attention. Their reading materials have been peppered with tales of nude hiking day, already and told in an accepting, even inclusive manner. Their major hiking representatives have been written about their participation.

I don't know of an American counterpart to a national hiking association, There is an "American Hiking Society." I know little about them.

Perhaps an International Nude Hiking Society?...hmmm.....
Jbee

[jbeegoode]

Does BN have an organization of naked hiking?
Jbee

[jbeegoode]

JMF, Do any of these organizations have dues? How do they finance themselves?
Jbee

[nib]

Does BN have an organization of naked hiking?
Jbee

British Naturism does not have a separate organisation for naked hiking, but it does support it. One of its member clubs specialises in naked walking and walks are often organsied from BN's major festivals.

nib

[jmf]

JMF, Do any of these organizations have dues? How do they finance themselves?
Jbee

The French Hiking Federation is a very big organization.
From its website:
"Some 3,500 affiliated hiking associations and clubs have about 243,700 members. They organize the practice of hiking and related activities... They are committed to ensuring the training of hiking leaders for the safety of members in their practice. .. Within the framework of associative marking, some clubs are commissioned by the departmental committee to maintain and mark portions of routes. Finally, they play an essential role in creating and maintaining social links and in animating local life."

Only two of theses association are created by and for naturists and naked hiking. But as one of them, I can say that we are well recognized by the departmental authorithies of our region. It' a way to make our naturism accepted outside of closes places, in freedom in the nature.
To be member of the FFR also allow us with a reduced contribution to have insurance for the practice of the hike.

[jbeegoode]

I appreciate this information. Back in the 1990's, our organization SANS (Southern Arizona Naturist Society) would do monthly naturist camping and associated hikes, or walks.

Members would contact the Forest Service to let them know where we would be, agree to it and allow us to post signs to warn outsiders about nudity ahead. It worked out pretty well. Working with authorities and recognized organizations is effective.

Did you get much resistance from the mainstream hiking organization, when first proposing. Were they concerned with law, or reputation?

J'apprécie cette information. Dans les années 1990, notre organisation SANS (Southern Arizona Naturist Society) organisait chaque mois des campings naturistes et des randonnées associées.

Les membres contactaient le Service des forêts pour leur faire savoir où nous serions, leur donner leur accord et nous permettre de poser des panneaux pour avertir les étrangers de la nudité à venir. Cela a plutôt bien fonctionné. Travailler avec les autorités et les organisations reconnues est efficace.

Avez-vous rencontré beaucoup de résistance de la part de l'organisation principale de randonnée, lors de votre première proposition. Étaient-ils préoccupés par la loi ou la réputation ?

Traduit avec www.DeepL.com/Translator (version gratuite)

Tried your translator for courtesy. Shades of high school French classes!
Jbee