Nudists to host swim nights at city pool

A Calgary nudist group is organizing a series of swim nights at a local leisure centre.

Calgary Nude Recreation will host its first after-hours “naked water slides and wave pool night” at the Southland Leisure Centre on Jan. 14.

Two other events are scheduled for Feb. 11 and March. 11.

The group describes the swim nights as “naked events for people who enjoy their birthday suits.”

“This group is family oriented and kid friendly and open to people of all ages, body types, all genders, sexual orientations, and anyone else in between,” the Calgary Nude Recreation Facebook page states.

Organizers also stress on the group’s meetup.com page that the swim events “are not a place to show off your body to others, compare or stare, but rather a place that you can enjoy being naked ... in a safe and welcoming, non-judgmental environment.

“We as a society are inundated with so many false ideals about body image that we can easily become lost in self-criticism, judgment and insecurities,” the organizers continue. “This ... is a place to break free from our societal constraints and tap into the freedom from embarrassment and shame, and allow us to fully embrace and courageously love all of ourselves in the presence of others.”

Jarret Hoebers, recreation regional manager with the City of Calgary, said the city prides itself on being inclusive and ensuring that its amenities are available for all residents. “We ... see this booking no different than many of our other bookings,” he said.

Hoebers added that exterior windows and those facing the lobby will be blacked out to protect the privacy of participants at the after-hours event.