Naked in Nature
3/20/24 Some Transferred and Some New Images
Many of the organizations that conducted aquatic activities in indoor pools also maintained outdoor facilities in the form of summer camps. The camps greatly augmented the water sports offerings because they could include activities involving watercraft. Add that to the “dry” recreational opportunities and this was a winner by any boy’s standards. Of course, it was no hardship that swim suits were unnecessary.
The caption states that this camp scene is from 1930. The supervisors in this image are suited, but their charges appear to be clothing optional – with most opting out.
The attribution on this says that it is a YMCA camp scene from Greensboro (NC, SC?). The boy at the head of the line assessing the situation before he commits seems to be the only modest one. This scene is outside the pale of the classic YMCA we’ve come to love. First because this is a natural body of water, so the hygiene accruing from the “no suits” rule would be meaningless here. Second is because the APHA had not yet promulgated their “no suits” recommendation. That occurred in 1926.
Might be another camp picture. The attribution is Hyde Park, London, so this is from across the Pond. Practice was apparently the same. No date given.
This appears to be another boys’ camp scene. The only clothed person is the guy in the robe on the (life guard?) tower.
This is from a postcard of uncertain (by obviously old) vintage. The camp named is a YMCA facility founded in 1914 that continues in use to the present. Of course, camp practices have changed since then. They now require life vests when using water craft.
The embedded text on this image suggests that it is a titled work by one Mary Tartt of Livingston, AL. Some googling indicates that the Tartts were/are a prominent family of this municipality in Sumter County, Alabama. The town itself is drained by the Sucamoochee River (yeah, fer real). That body of water might be the setting for this very old (pre-1920?) looking photo.
Although the family boasts one prominent folklorist among its scions, I was unable to find a reference to this putative photographer.
These two pictures of the same event are from different angles.
We seem to be at a club with dual outdoor pools, probably an all-male club. It appears that some of the attendees opted for suits but others did not. The racing starting blocks are concrete and the spring board does not appear to be a modern design. I’m putting this down to the 1940s.
The long line of figures in the background of the second photo is curious. Impossible to tell if they’re nude or suited.
The element that I think best captures the spirit of this event is the two figures on the right about midway down the frame. Two guys on the far side of the pool are standing side-by-side watching the action and facing the camera. One is wearing a suit and the other is wearing just his skin.
This undated UK image where boys gambol in their natural state might be a fairly unusual facility. There is a gap in the far wall to permit a water outfall. The wall appears to lie along the edge of a precipice. I suspect that the pool is formed by a dammed steam which flows continuously, turning over the contents. This would obviate the need for pumping and chlorination, but would have to be mucked out periodically.
The Boys’ Club of New York opened Camp William Carey in 1903. It was located on eastern Long Island where it included about a half mile of beach on Long Island Sound. From the Club location in Manhattan, it was an “easy” four hour bus ride. The Camp operated for about six decades. Here are some battered pictures (courtesy of the New Historical Society archives) from the camp in its heyday.
This 1929 image was marked for cropping out the over enthusiastic lad who couldn’t stay down in the surf.
This from approximately 1930. The guy lounging in the sand just above the letter A in “Carey” is fortunately out of focus. What do you think he is/is not wearing?
These companion shots were taken in 1933. In both it is quite apparent that the boys are not wearing bathing suits.
Historical Nude Male Swimming Images 