The Sydney Skinny 2014

Overview

If you've already made plans for Sunday, February 23, you might be about to change them. At 9am the second Sydney Skinny will be kicking off, as hundreds of people disrobe and dive into the calm waters of Mosman's Middle Head for a nude swim.

For those of who you didn't hear about last year's event, basically it's a ticketed swim (and the largest nude ocean swim in the world) that raises money for the rejuvenation of Sydney Harbour National Park and the Foundation for National Parks & Wildlife's conservation work. Apparently in 2013 over 750 totally starkers Sydneysiders took part, and by all accounts it was a pretty liberating, joyous experience for all involved.

All participants must be over 18 and capable of swimming at least ten laps of a 50-metre pool. If you're a bit of a novice, choose the 300m option, whilst the more confident can plump for the 900m swim. Lifeguards will be stationed out on the water, and only people with tickets to swim get access to the beach, so you don't have to worry about creepy clothed spectators watching you disrobe. There will even be a festival area with refreshments and a complimentary sarong to wrap up in post-plunge.

So maybe you could organise to swim with a group of friends, or go solo. Whatever works. Just be prepared for the possibility of running into your old high school physics teacher or your ex-boyfriend's dad. Maybe wear a mask.