WPN Interview with a Female Guest

WPN: Hi Jan. This isn't your first visit to WPN, right?

Jan: No, I started coming in December of 2003.

WPN: How'd you find out about us?

Jan: I'm an online chatter. I met a guy named Doug that used to attend the swims here. He's moved now.

WPN: Yeah, I remember Doug. Nice guy.

Jan: Yeah, he's moved to Virginia.

WPN: I remember him saying he was thinking of moving. Has he found any clubs there to join?

Jan: I don't know. It's been a while since I talked to him. I know he really misses WPN. I met him in a chat room. I'm sure he'd tell you a different story about how the conversation on nudism came up. He'll tell you I pulled it out of him (laugh). But somehow he actually told me he was a nudist. I had, for years, been doing my cleaning in the nude. My husband is like, someone is going to see you. I said, you know, if some one wants to look at this forty eight year old body that's out of shape, then let them look. It's just a body. We all have one, right?

WPN: Exactly. It's how God made you.

Jan: That's right, and it just felt good. And then when Doug told me about this club I thought, ya know, I should try this. Ever since I turned forty I promised myself there were things I wanted to do. And I thought this would be a cool thing to try. So I asked Doug a million question. Then I called the club. I talked to Bill. I really wanted to talk to Buzz just to talk to another female. But she wasn't home at the time. But he was real nice. He gave me the directions to the pool. The day before, I drove over here just to see what it was like. I didn't know what I might get into. It could be a bunch of swingers or something. I was nervous. Plus I just wanted to see what the facilities were like. When I saw the place I was impressed, but I thought, hey, there's these huge windows! So when I got home I got online and told Doug about the windows. He said they put tarps over them. I said ok, that makes sense. I can do this. The next night I pulled in the parking lot. The first person I saw standing outside was Bill.

WPN: (laugh)...that can be intimidating.

Jan: Yeah, I seen this big biker guy, but I knew it was him from what he told me on the phone and he was so nice. I thought, I got to do this.

WPN: And you were alone, right?

Jan: Yes, I was alone. But I was determined because I knew my husband thought I would drive out here then turn around and come home.

WPN: He wasn't worried about you coming alone?

Jan: No, he really didn't have a problem with it. He knew it was something I wanted to do and that I did my home work. He just said "don't expect me to do it". So I came in and met Buzz and Ken at the table. To this day I refer to Ken as my mentor because he showed me around and told me it was ok if I wanted to stay in a T-shirt. But I said no, I was going to do this. So then Crystal came and introduced herself and showed me around some more. Then Ken took me around and introduced me to even more people. Everyone was so friendly. And that's what I tell people when they ask me about it.

WPN: So you came alone, without you husband. Amazing!

Jan: Yep, and here I am. I guess it's the opposite of most stories. My husband was the one that didn't want to come.

WPN: And you enjoyed yourself the first time?

Jan: Yes, I came back the following swim. I've never become a member, but I come to a swim when I can.

WPN: Have you've been anywhere else?

Jan: I've been to Whitethorn once, but once is not enough.

WPN: Right. I tell everyone that hasn't experienced outdoor nudism that they're missing what it's all about.

Jan: Yes, I want to get back to Whitethorn. I was there only for a day visit. I never experienced the sun hitting my body all over, and it was the most amazing thing, it felt so right. I went home and told my husband that it was the hardest thing to put clothes back on and leave. I try to talk some of my girl friends into coming along but they won’t because of their body image.

WPN: That’s sad. A lot of people, mainly women, feel that way. And there’s nothing for them to be ashamed of.

Jan: Yeah, I tell them if I can do it you can. It seems like more men are usually willing to try it. But men worry about getting, you know, an erection. Now I want to ask you a question. You don’t have to write this if you don’t want to.

WPN: No, it’s ok.

Jan: Ok, how do you tell guys it won’t happen.

WPN: It’s almost impossible to understand as a guy unless you’ve tried it. The first time my wife and I went nude camping it was a big concern for me. But I had read about it enough to know that it wouldn’t happen. Guys think it’s impossible to be around naked women without getting excited, but you discover there’s nothing sexual about being naked. Once you get up the nerve to do it, you don’t even think about it. There’s no way to put it into words. Is that what bothers your husband?

Jan: I think that might be one of his issues. He can’t understand why I feel the need to be nude with others. He knows I like to be nude at home, but I’m not around him because it makes him uncomfortable. I respect his feelings, so I’m nude during the day but not at night when he’s home. He doesn’t understand the concept of why people gather nude. Well, it’s because we enjoy it and want to be social. And so a swim like this is just a gathering place for like minded people.

WPN: I think a lot of people think we just sit around and look at each other, and that’s not what happens. It’s not about being naked. It’s about being with people that feel the way you do, and sharing the same freedom. Why do musicians get together and play music? They could do it at home by themselves but it’s not nearly as much fun.

WPN: So what is it that makes nudism important to you?

Jan: It just feels good, it feels natural.

WPN: It’s rare that the wife is the one that wants to try nudism.

Jan: I get asked often what my husband thinks. But he’s OK with it. He understands that it’s something I enjoy. He knows I’m here. He just doesn’t want to come along.

WPN: So you’ve never really got him to admit why he won’t join you?

Jan: No, as a matter of fact, years ago he was the one who said he didn’t like to wear clothes and I throw that up to him sometimes. I don’t understand that.

WPN: But I’m sure you wish that he’d come along.

Jan: It would be nice, yeah. But not if he’d be uncomfortable.

WPN: So what else do you do besides hang out naked at home.

Jan: Well, I’m a house wife.

WPN: Any children?

Jan: yes, my daughter is twenty four.

WPN: Does she know you’re a nudist?

Jan: Yes, she knows, and she tells all her friends. She thinks it’s cool. When she gets a new boy friend one of the first things she tells him about me is that I’m a nudist. I ask her why and she says they all think it’s cool. I guess she’s proud of it. It doesn’t bother me. Her boy friend now Is a really nice guy. He’s very carefree and I think he’d come to a swim, but she wouldn’t. She’d be uncomfortable coming here with me. She’s never seen me nude.

WPN: Really?

No, I was raised very modest, it was how I raised her. And then I changed (laugh).

WPN: For the better.

Jan: Yeah, I became more open minded. I became more in touch with how I feel. Especially with nudity

WPN: I don’t understand why people think it's wrong, it’s bad or it’s dirty or something.

Jan: Well people tend to think that you’re a swinger. I’m sure there are places where it goes on, but it’s never been my experience. That’s not at all what I’m about.

WPN: Right, I’m sure there’s places where it goes on too, but I’ve never run into it either. But then it could happen anywhere.

Jan: Yeah, at the job pace or where ever people get together. But just because your naked doesn’t mean a thing. You’re much more likely to run into swingers at a bar or somewhere else wearing clothes than here.

But when I told my daughter she was like go for it. Just don’t expect me to join you.

WPN: Just like your husband.

Jan: Right. I guess she was around twenty when I told her. She had studied in Australia. She told me she was going to pose nude for an art class there where no one would know her. So I think inside she feels the same way I do.

WPN: So what else do you do?

Jan: I’m a chatter. I spend a lot of time on the computer. People wonder why my house looks as good as it does when I’m online so much. But I enjoy talking online with my friends and making new ones. My online profile says "pull up a chair and sit down, there are no strangers, just friends we haven’t met". And that’s really how I feel. Which is probably why I’m so open to this. I like meeting people from all walks of life. People really open up when you chat online. You discuss things with them that they never would in person. It’s interesting. And I’m very respectful of their privacy. If my daughter or husband walk by I hide the box because no matter what we’re talking about that person thinks they’re talking to me and I feel it’s not right if there’s two other people looking over my shoulder. So that’s what I do. I’m a chatter.

WPN: Any other hobbies?

Jan: No. I read. I decorate. I love helping other people decorate. I’m not into sports. I know by reading the other interviews here that a lot of others talk about it, but not me.

Note: The NHL hockey season has just been cancelled.

Jan: I know sports are important. But like the hockey season, I hope people can learn form it. How it’s so much about the money.

WPN: I’m a big hockey fan. Yeah, I’ve got to agree with you.

Jan: Shame on them. Both sides.

Jan: Ok, I know I’m a tough interview. I just ramble on.

WPN: Tough interview? Are you kidding? That makes my job easy. Gives me plenty to write. That’s what you’re suppose to do. You’ll be back to WPN?

Jan: Oh yes. And I want to do some camping at Whitethorn. I want to get there more often. But because my husband doesn’t want to get involved, I don’t want to push the issue. I just appreciate the fact that he lets me enjoy it. To go camping by myself for the weekend puts a strain on us. It’s just great he understands.

WPN: Will you let him read this interview?

Jan: Sure, if he wants to. He’s heard me say it all before anyhow.

WPN: Well maybe it will help him understand why you enjoy it and want to come along with you.

Jan: That’d be great!

WPN: Thanks for an interesting interview. I hope others read it and learn what our swims are all about.

Jan: Thank you. It’s been fun!

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