Thanks for the replies in getting this thread off to a good start.
bartonside - Maybe 1-2% of the male nudists I've encountered were
not concerned about erections. It's one of the most common concerns about nudism. Unfortunately it sometimes prevents people from trying nudism. Here are some of my thoughts and experiences on the matter: 1) Different beaches/venues and the people who frequent them have different views on the matter. Family-oriented venues, especially those which allow children, frown on public erections and in my view, quite rightly so. If you're going to a family-friendly nudist venue, it's best to take a towel to cover up and/or excuse yourself if you begin to get erect. Other venues/beaches, those where there are no children are less concerned about the matter. 2) Erections happen. They're natural, men get them. It's important to understand that an erection can happen even in non-sexual situations. I get spontaneous erections from heat. I get them in the shower, in hot tubs in steam rooms and saunas and sometimes even on the nude beach. It doesn't mean I want to go after the next person that walks by. In my nude beach experience I am not alone in this. Almost every time I go to the nude beach I see one or 2 non-sexual erections and I usually get one or 2 at some point. I'd estimate that about 2/3 of the nudist men I've talked to about this also get erections at some point while practicing nudism. If you're very concerned about it, there are a number of ways you can deal with them: 1) roll over on your stomach until it goes away; 2) take a towel or sarong and cover up until it subsides; 3) ignore it, chances are others are ignoring it too; 4) get yourself a nudist community, even if it's just online at the start (maybe you're a home nudist and need some encouragement to go public), and a few good nudist mates with whom you can openly talk about this. Realizing you're not the only one concerned about it and knowing there are others who have experienced your concerns and know ways of addressing those concerns is incredibly helpful.
Go NAKED!!!