NAC Seattle Swims
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- See also BFC Swim Nights
The Naturist Action Committee (NAC) (official site and new blog) and the Seattle-based Body Freedom Collaborative (BFC) (official site) are happy to announce the NAC Seattle Swims: a new series of evening nude swims in Seattle, Washington. Many naturist groups have organized such events in the past in private health clubs, but NAC is particularly excited to initiate nude use of two fine indoor public swimming pools run and operated by Seattle Parks and Recreation.
The nude swims will serve as fundraisers for NAC, to assist it in its ongoing work advancing and defending opportunities for responsible clothes-free recreation at private sites and on select public lands. NAC also intends that the swims' success serve as a model for other skinny-dippers across North America who will wish to work with municipalities to make use of other public swimming pools. Moreover, the NAC Seattle Swims should further good relations between NAC, local skinny-dippers, and the City of Seattle. Finally, the NAC Seattle Swims will also be a whole lot of fun.
NAC board member Mark Storey and BFC co-director Daniel Johnson are organizing the swims. They selected the pools on the basis of the facilities’ ease of access, the pools’ amenities, and neighborhood safety. Helene Madison Pool in northwestern Seattle has two pools: one is of 3.5 feet deep and thus good for children and quiet chatting; the larger pool ranges from 6 to 12.5 feet deep, and offers both low and high diving boards. Ballard Pool is located in the Ballard District of Seattle, and boasts a large pool (3-12 feet deep) featuring a diving board, tube slide, and rope swing. A large hot tub sits next to the pool.
We would like to thank Seattle Department of Parks & Recreation for their assistance in providing the location for this event.
Contents |
Schedule
Upcoming events
All swims are on the second Saturday of the month, and go from 8:00-10:00 PM (except where noted). People may arrive 15 minutes early to undress in the men’s and women’s changing rooms (each containing coin-operated lockers). Swimmers are not allowed in the water before the swim start time. Swimmers need to bring their own towels and any personal swim gear.
- Mar. 10, 2007—Ballard Pool (Swim #6) The last NAC Seattle Swim event!
Previous events
Feb. 10, 2007
This was our second swim at Ballard Pool (Swim #5). We had 50 adults (no kids this time; 40 men (80%); 10 women (20%)).
Jan. 13, 2007
This was our first swim at Ballard Pool (Swim #4). Despite snow and icy roads we had 43 attendees (28 males (65%), 15 female (35%)). Mark was not expecting any more than 15 people because of the weather. Hot tub, rope swing and tube slide were huge hits (probably in that order too). All people indicated that this was overall a better facility and package than what we had at Helene Madison Pool. We had one incident with an individual getting stuck in the tube slide. Soap was used to help release the person. Someone also got in trouble for going head first down the tube slide (this really propels the person far across the pool length). People need to keep in mind the hot tub does have an occupancy limit and other people want to use it as well.
Dec. 9, 2006
Helene Madison Pool (Swim #3) Tonight we had a very mellow night with our lowest attendance of 2006 with 37 people attending (28 males (76%), 9 females (24%), four of whom where kids (11%)) with several new faces in attendance. This was our last swim at Helene Madison for the 2006/2007 season.
This was our first event where our intitial rental expenses have been paid off and we are now able to make money for NAC!!
After polling indicated people want co-ed changing rooms, we are now in the process of working with the City to see if we can make this happen. Stay tuned.
The next NAC Seattle Swim event will be on Saturday, Jan. 13, 2007 from 8-10 PM. Be sure also not to miss the 5th Annual BFC Polar Bare Dip earlier in the day! This will be the first NAC Seattle Swim of 2007. The event will move to the Ballard Pool for January through March. There we will have we have a 25 yard/6 lane pool (85 degrees), a large hot tub (99 degrees), tube slide, rope swing, and a 1 m diving board. NAC will also keep the hot tub request in mind for any future nude swims we may try to orchestrate.
We had a small meetup again at the Northgate Red Robin after the swim. We also celebrated Ryan's birthday.
Nov. 11, 2006
Helene Madison Pool (Swim #2) Tonight we had over 50 people attending with several new faces in attendance. The City gave us an extra half hour to swim tonight, running from 8:00-10:30 PM, to make up for the blackout cutting into our swim time during our inaugural event.
Tonight, for the first time, we established a lengthwise lap swim lane, while still being able to keep both diving boards open. About eight swimmers took advantage of this opportunity.
We also had a community photographer provide event photography for a limited time, for the purpose of widespread promotion of the event and nude use of municipal facilities. Several of the shots were also for the Nude Beaches Yes campaign.
We were also able to sell some of our new Nude Beaches Yes campaign signs for $5 a piece, with all money going to NAC. Signs were given to each of the City lifeguards (last time we gave complementary N magazines).
A poll was conducted with the women to decide if we should adopt a coed locker room policy, which many people have been requesting. The vast majority of women were either supportive of the idea or did not care. The result now is that the coed environment of the pool area will also extend to the locker rooms for future NAC Seattle Swims, as at many other swim events.
We had a meetup again at the Northgate Red Robin after the swim.
Oct. 14, 2006
Helene Madison Pool (Swim #1). Event report: Swim was a big success! Aprox. 60-61 participants, aprox. 45 male/15 female. Neighborhood power outage resulted in loss of 10-20 minutes of swim time as swimmers were told to leave the water. Pool water was then tested before we went back in. City aquatics program staff were very professional during this outage and were very friendly and helpful during our swim. City will give us a 1/2 hr longer for the Nov 11th swim to compensate. 22-23 of us met at Northgate Red Robin after the swim.
Contact info
Fill out the web form
To indicate you are interested in participating in this event, please fill out the form at the SeattleSwims.org web site using the form on the right side of the page. Make sure you select "NAC Seattle Swims" from the pull-down menu and put in your e-mail address.
E-mail contact info
You can also contact organizers via e-mail at
Admittance to the NAC Seattle Swims
The City of Seattle rents its swimming facilities for private use, so NAC agreed that those enjoying the NAC Seattle Swims would be associated with NAC or be a guest in good standing. All participants must also read, follow and enforce NAC Seattle Swims expectations (outlined on the reverse of the NAC Seattle Swims card (see below)) as well as aquatic facility rules.
NAC Seattle Swims participants
You can buy a $5 NAC Seattle Swims participation card allowing entrance to these fun swims by one of the following:
- Showing your current, up-to-date membership card from a recognized naturist/nudist group see examples, or
- Being known to the NAC Seattle Swims directors as participating in good standing in Seattle-area events promoting non-sexualized social nudity see examples.
Once you have the NAC Seattle Swims partipation card, you may bring a guest who will pay $12 per swim.
Note: Do not get your NAC Seattle Swims participation card wet, it was printed with an inkjet printer and will bleed ink if exposed to water.
Costs for NAC Seattle Swims participants
To gain admission into their first NAC Seattle Swim, individuals must bring their up-to-date membership card from any recognized naturist/nudist organization, or be recognized as an active participant in a Seattle-area event promoting non-sexualized social nudity, or be a guest of one of the former. They will then purchase a participation card (see sample images on the right of the page) for the NAC Seattle Swims for $5. The NAC Seattle Swims participant card (along with a photo ID) will allow access to any of the 2006/07 NAC Seattle Swims. Each swim costs an additional $10 per person. Thus if you were to go to all six swims, it would cost $5 for the swim card and $60 for all six swims. If you go to one swim, it would cost $5 for the swim card and $10 for one swim.
Children and teens
Children and teens under 18 years of age will be admitted (free of charge) only when accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
NAC fundraiser
Please keep in mind that these group swims also serve as fundraisers for NAC. 100% of the proceeds after expenses that comes in for these swims goes to NAC. Cash or personal checks made out to “Naturist Action Committee” will be accepted at the door. Organizers will not be able to process credit card payments for the swims.
Help spread the word!
Please pass word of the NAC Seattle Swims to fellow naturists, nudists, and other skinny-dipping enthusiasts.
Terms and conditions
All participants must abide by, agree to and enforce the following terms and conditions (NAC Seattle Swims participant cards have a short version of these on the reverse of the card (see image at right)):
Aquatic facility requirements
- All participants must follow Seattle Parks & Recreation aquatic facility rules, unless otherwise specified by the City.
- Please shower with soap and water before going in the pool or spa/warm water pool.
- As requested by Seattle Parks & Rec managment, swim organizers will cover the windows looking into the pool so that the swims will be private. That said, the NAC Seattle Swims are events at which behavior at all times throughout the facilities will be appropriate for young and old. Participants and Parks staff will be promoting and preserving a family-friendly, non-sexualized atmosphere (see below).
Safe, welcoming environment
This is a non-sexualized, body-positive event. Overt lewd behavior, unwanted comments or insulting remarks about other peoples’ bodies will not be tolerated. Sexual harassment in any form will not be tolerated. Respect the personal space of others.
Clothes-free environment
Participants are expected to be clothes free in the pool area when practical. This is not a clothing-optional event.
Background check
All applicants may be required to provide information for and must pass an inquiry made to the National Sex Offender Public Registry (NSOPR). Information provided for this inquiry must be confirmed with a Washington State driver license or Washington State identification card. For more information on this procedure, please send your full name and full address including the name of the county you reside to Daniel Johnson at the e-mail address given above before attending a swim event.
Restrictions on photography and videography
Photography and videography of the swims will be strictly regulated by the organizers. Photography will be allowed only on pre-approval of the organizers and for only a set amount of time in set locations; no one will ever be photographed without his or her explicit and informed permission. In short, cameras, PDAs, and mobile phones will not be allowed in the pool area. Coin-operated lockers are available in the changing rooms to store your cell phones.
Rights to exclude
Participants understand this is a private event and they may be asked by event staff to modify their behavior and/or leave. If there is ANY reason for the NAC Seattle Swims directors to think that a person may be attempting to attend any of the NAC Seattle Swims for an inappropriate reason, he or she will be refused admittance.
Age-based policy
All participants over 18 are expected to participate naked in the pool area when practical; those under 18 may choose for themselves. No one under 18 will be allowed into the pool area without his or her parent or legal guardian.
Directions
Helene Madison Pool
13401 Meridian Ave. N, Seattle
Official online directions
Heading North on I-5:
Take the 130th St. exit (i.e., Exit #174).
Turn left on 130th St. heading west for .2 miles.
Turn right on Meridian Ave. N, heading north for .2 miles to Madison Pool at 13401 Meridian Ave. N.
Heading South on I-5:
Take the 145th St. exit (i.e., Exit #175).
Turn right onto 145th heading west for .2 miles.
Turn left on Meridian Ave. N, heading south for 1.5 miles to Madison Pool at 13401 Meridian Ave. N.
Ballard Pool
1471 NW 67th St., Seattle
Official online directions
Heading North on I-5:
Take the N 85th St. exit (i.e., Exit #172).
Stay on N 85th St. heading west.
Continue on N 85th until you come to 15th Ave. NW.
Turn left onto 15th Ave NW.
Continue on 15th Ave NW until you come to NW 67th St.
Turn left onto NW 67th St.
Ballard Pool will be on your right-hand side.
Heading South on I-5:
Take the N 85th St. exit (i.e., Exit #172).
Turn right onto N 85th St.
Continue on N 85th until you come to 15th Ave. NW.
Turn left onto 15th Ave NW.
Continue on 15th Ave NW until you come to NW 67th St.
Turn left onto NW 67th St.
Ballard Pool will be on your right-hand side.
See you at the pool!
NAC Advisory
The Naturist Action Committee issues NAC Advisories in situations that require Naturists to come up to speed on a certain issue or event. An Advisory is not a call for action - that's the job of the Action Alert. However, an Advisory on a particular subject may preceed an Action Alert by a period of days or weeks, so that when action required, affected Naturists will be up to speed.
NAC Seattle Swims - 28 August 2006
Event background
Daniel Johnson came up with the idea of having swims at City of Seattle municipal pools after reading an article about Muslim and Jewish women renting out the City pools for private swims and covering the windows for privacy. Knowing that there was a strong demand for clothing-optional indoor swims in this area given the popularity of the other local events (see SeattleSwims.org), Johnson brought the idea to Mark Storey, Johnson's associate and co-founder of the Body Freedom Collaborative. Storey is also a board member of the Naturist Action Committee.
As board members of BFC, Johnson and Storey decided to hand the project over to NAC because of the organization"s experience and also to provide an opportunity for a local NAC fundraiser. Johnson and Storey are working together with local skinny-dippers to organize the event.
After initial contacts and approval were made with Parks & Rec Aquatics management, lead coordination has since been under Mark Storey. The City's Park & Recreation Aquatics Program staff have also been great people to work with to help make this happen.
Parks & Rec writeup
Two City of Seattle Parks & Recreation employees that also participate in our swims have passed along that a little writeup was included in a recent edition of the Seattle Parks & Recreation Monthly Report, October 2006 edition, published on November 8, 2006. Under Operations Divison: Aquatics on Page 9 it reads:
- Nude Swimming: The Naturist Action Committee rented Madison Pool for a “clothes optional” swim. Activities included swimming, diving and a volleyball game in the shallow end. The group was required to cover the windows before the swim, and the lifeguards were all clothed. Additional rentals are scheduled for November and December. A nice thank you letter was received from the Naturist Action Committee commending the staff on their professionalism.
- One error they made was to say that this was a "clothes optional" swim. Only those under 18 have the option of being clothing optional. We do expect nudity when practical. We also don't want to encourage or pay for lookie loos. We also have also booked dates in January, February and March 2007.
