Sports & Naturism

Playing sport is so much better without the restrictions that wearing clothes brings and plenty of sports are played to a high standard in naturist circles.

Miniten

Miniten is a version of tennis and exclusive to the naturist world. It differs from tennis in two principal ways – firstly, the court is much shorter and narrower than a full-sized tennis court, covering roughly the area of a full court’s service boxes. Secondly, no racquets are used. Instead, players use a “thug” – a wooden box with an internal handle that covers the player’s hand. As a result of these changes, the game is based on skill and accuracy, rather than athletic prowess and speed, and the game can be played by all ages – in fact, contrary to the scene at Wimbledon, the older generation are among the best players. That is not to say that it is a game devoid of exercise - miniten matches can be physically demanding and it surprising how far and fast a tennis ball can be hit with a thug.

Most naturist clubs have a miniten court or two and run tournaments as well as friendly games throughout the year. Games are most often played in doubles, both mixed and single sex, though singles matches are played too.

Swimming

The swimming pool is very often the focal point of a naturist location, whether used for rigorous exercise, cooling off after a heavy day’s sunbathing or competing in swimming galas. There are hundreds of opportunities for naturists to swim at all manner of locations throughout the year, often at local leisure centres or municipal swimming pools, many of which have spa areas with sauna and steam rooms, and in some locations, water slides, flumes, rapids and fun pools. Massage facilities, yoga classes and other more health-related treatments are often available.

Each year BN runs a swimming gala at which all ages compete, swimming singly or in teams. The top swimmers are chosen to represent the UK at the INF swimming gala, where they compete against the best swimmers from the overseas naturist world.

Petanque

The French game of petanque, or boules, is popular amongst naturists the world over, and although it can be played almost anywhere there is a level surface, most naturist places have a dedicated court with a number of rinks or pistes. Perhaps a rather slow and leisurely game to the observer but, as with most sports, playing well requires skill and understanding of the intricacies of the rules and scoring system, which make it as challenging as chess and as hard fought as a more physically competitive sport. The pace of the game means that it can be played by all ages and is easily picked up by the newcomer.

British Naturism (BN) runs a petanque tournament each year and the top players are chosen to represent the UK at the INF Petanque tournament playing against the best from the overseas naturist world.

Volleyball

Volleyball is a team sport that lends itself to the naturist world and enables groups of people to indulge in a very physically demanding game. With a net of the required height, it can be played anywhere and impromptu games on beaches are popular. BN organises volleyball tournaments at both the national and local level.

Shuffleboard

An outdoor version of shove-ha’penny, played on a full-sized board, with players – on their feet rather than sitting down – using a long-handled implement to push a disc along the floor of the court and scoring points for making it stop within certain sections of a triangle marked at the far end.

Chess & Draughts

Some locations have outdoor boards with pieces that must be lifted and moved with two hands.

Lawn Darts

A newish game in which large, weighted darts are thrown into a score board marked on the grass.

Indiaca

A cross between volleyball and badminton in which teams use a large shuttlecock instead of a ball, playing to the rules of volleyball.

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