If there's any time of the year where it makes sense to get naked in Toronto, it's during the extreme heat that permeates the city in mid-July. Which is why it makes complete sense that Nude Recreation Week — a celebration of naturism across the world — kicks off today across the continent, encouraging nudists and non-nudists alike to learn about all the great things you can do with your clothes off.

An initiative of the American Association for Nude Recreation and The Naturist Society, Nude Recreation Week encourages first timers to enjoy clothes-free relaxation wherever they are. And while it may be a bit forward to walk through the Eaton Centre with your clothes off this week, there's a lot a nudist can do in our city.

It may seem like a strange world for some of you, but nude recreation is a growing industry across North America, and continues to be an important segment of the travel industry in Europe. The Federation of Canadian Naturists has reported a recent rise in registrations, and nudist resorts are cropping up across southern Ontario because of increasing demand.

In Toronto, of course, the hot-spot for nudists is our very own clothing-optional beach at Hanlan's Point. If you've never been there, I'd suggest checking out Ian's Guide to Swimming Toronto's Beaches first, but nudist culture in Toronto is more than just one beach. Beechgrove Beach just to the east of the city has designated clothing-optional areas, and the FCN reports that there are many secluded areas in the Scarborough Bluffs that can be used by nudists.

For those of you that want to jump right into nudist culture, the Ontario Roaming Bares is one of Toronto's largest naturist clubs and encourages clothing-optional recreation through regular camping trips, volleyball tournaments, and swimming nights. In addition, TNT!MEN (Totally Naked Toronto Men Enjoying Nudity) hosts over 12 events a month that are open to all men, members or not. If you're a fan of the water, the Sunshine Sailing Club conducts sailing trips on the Toronto lakefront, and though school may be on hiatus for the summer, the University of Toronto Naturists is a great group to visit for more information about clothing-optional living in the city.

If you're looking for a break from the city, southern Ontario has several nudist clubs — including the very famous Four Seasons Family Nudist Resort less than an hour away on the 401 — that are more than welcome to introduce newbies to clothing-optional living.

The Naturist Society is encouraging first-timers to try their everyday tasks in the buff this week, and the AANR has released a list of five things you can do to get started:

1. Cool off: skinny dip in your backyard pool.
2. Make housekeeping fun: ditch those clothes, turn on some music and get out the mop.
3. Get in touch with nature: shed those threads and grab your garden tools for some nude gardening.
4. Exercise: hit the treadmill or dust off one of the workout videos.
5. Telecommute: working from home, in the nude, is in fact increasing in popularity.

On that last point, here's a (possibly scary) thought to ponder: how many blogTO contributors will be posting in their birthday suits this week?

So whether you're a seasoned nudist or just curious, Nude Recreation Week is a good time to explore Toronto's clothing-optional options. That being said, I wouldn't go walking down King & Bay au naturel just yet: not only will the 'suits' be a little shocked, but there are Canadian laws to be aware of too.

Oh, and stock up on sunscreen. You'll need a whole lot of it.

(Photos by Adam Muise, Uffe Jakobsen, and Lone Primate.)