THE DAY YOU DON'T HAVE TO GET DRESSED

The AANR hopes people across the country will shed their clothes and dive in. Photo: John Mark Day

Many of us dream of breaking a world record at some point, be it a traditional feat like the forty-yard dash or something less conventional like a pizza-eating contest. And now you can—for being naked.

On July 11, the American Association for Nude Recreation (AANR) is organizing an attempt to win the title of the largest number of people simultaneously skinny-dipping. Recently added to the Guinness Book of World Records, the record for this category has yet to be set. “We don’t have a record so we don’t have one we can break. But we can set one and beat it next year,” said Carolyn Hawkins, Public Relations Coordinator for AANR. More clearly stated: they are going to win whether or not you show up.

But if you do, you can proudly share the story of your contribution to this historic event for years to come. “We expect to have several thousand people,” said Hawkins. “People are really taking hold of this. It’s really going crazy and people want to be a part of it.”

The organization has designated locations throughout the US and Canada where people can frolic at the beach or at an ANNR club completely naked. Participants will sign-up on lists that will be notarized, and the number of skinny-dippers will be verified by a county official. Kimberly Wolfe, the office manager of the ANNR De Anza Springs Resort, said, “We have two pools and a Jacuzzi, so we can use every form of water that we have here.” And in case you’ve always wanted to hoola-hoop naked, contests in this swively activity will be offered at the De Anza location.

The ANNR, whose current membership is 46,000, expects a lot of new people to participate, as you don’t have to be a member to join the event. And if shedding clothing isn’t your specialty, not to worry. Hawkins said, “If they are a little bit shy but want to be counted in, we’re ‘gonna let them wear their bathing suits in the water. And then at three o’clock they can take them off and hold them up so we can count them.” So get ready, get set, strip.