A small German city featuring several nudist beaches, is enforcing a new ‘no trunks’ policy, where clothes wearers are being banned despite falling numbers of participants
A small and pretty German city has introduced ‘no trunks’ policy, with clothes wearers asked to leave the beach.
The Baltic Sea city of Rostock has implemented new rules that allow beach wardens to ban visitors who refuse to strip down in designated nudist areas. The measure follows complaints from a number of people who have felt harassed in the naturist areas, according to Moritz Naumann from Rostock Tourism. Moritz added that the rule is only intended to be enforced “in case of conflict”, reports CNN.
In Rostock, the 15 km coastline is divided between naturist, mixed-use and clothing-only beaches. The small city straddles the Warnow River and is widely known for Rostock University, which was founded back in 1419.
The city also features Rostock Botanical Garden, with an arboretum and alpine gardens, and a mix of Gothic and baroque architecture. Rostock also boasts beautiful Blue Flag beaches, where the water quality is checked regularly. Many of the beaches feature white sand, shallow waters ideal for families, scenic cliff faces and one even features a coastal forest.
To get to Rostock from the UK, travellers can fly to Hamburg and then catch a train, taking under two hours, to the city. Naturism, historically, has been popular in Germany and for many residents, social nudity is seen as a normal part of life. Across the country, there are numerous beaches, parks and even hiking trails that are designated nude areas.
However, “the number of people practicing it today is decreasing,” Moritz stated, adding that Rostock has reduced its official naturist beaches from 37 to 27 zones as a result. In July last year, The Guardian reported that the German Association for Free Body Culture (DFK) told its members that celebrations in August, marking the anniversary of the association’s creation, would no longer go ahead due to a lack of interest. Membership of the association has decreased from 65,000 people 25 years ago, to fewer than 34,000 today.
A drop in interest has occurred for many reasons according to Alfred Sigloch, president of the DFK, including conflicts between generations and a lack of willingness among younger naturists in individual clubs to stick to older members’ rules, “such as specified afternoon nap or quiet times”.
Alfred noted that the rise of social media and mobile phone usage may also be to blame for the slump in interest, as some now fear being photographed via mobile phones or drones and the images being put on social media. “The rise of the cult of the perfect body on TikTok or Instagram is increasing the pressure to not want to undress,” he added.
Nudism in Germany dates back to the late 19th century and encourages individuals to undress and participate in activities to connect with the natural world.
