The latest interview with naturists around the world comes from Cyprus.
As part of ANW's want to enhance understanding and appreciation of naturism we are sharing a selection of articles and interviews with ANW members exploring naturism around the world. ANW believes in safeguarding naturism with a genuine, healthy and respectful approach to social nudity and in doing so has an ever growing membership of friendly and appropriate users.
We also believe that naturism unites us and connects us. Beyond national boundaries, age, gender, religion sexual orientation and culture. These articles aim to show our connect through our mutual respect and understanding of social nudity. Inspiring people to get involved with naturism and the various naturist opportunities the world has to offer.
We are delighted to welcome Colin The-Nude-Cyclist to this project:
1 Tell us a little about yourself and your part of the world. I was born in Halifax UK. My family left the UK in 1971 when I was 9, My brother was 11 and sister was 7. Mum wanted out of the UK and dad chose Australia so we drove overland to Australia in a long wheelbase Land Rover, my dad converted it to a mobile caravan. The trip took 6 months.
We stayed in Western Australia (in a bush town called Norseman) for almost 5 years, then Mum & Dad decided they wanted something different so we flew back to the UK and bought an old Norwegian Fiord passenger ferry. The plan was to take it back to Australia and use it as a ferry around the Indonesian islands. (It didn't work out that way) We got it to Gibraltar and disaster struck (I won't go in to that) and we ended up stuck in Gib for almost 6 months. Dad managed to swap the ship for an old 2nd World War 90 foot German E-Boat which had been converted to a motor yacht after the war. So we could continue on our journey back to Australia. We never made it, heading through the Suez Canal one of the Rolls Royce engines failed big time so we ended up wintering for 5 months in Port Said, Egypt.
After that Dad heard he could get work in Corfu, Greece to be able to afford the parts needed for the damaged engine, so we headed up there, we got caught in the, then standard, April force 10 storm, the yacht got damaged, the bow (Front) was stoved in from the power of the waves and under powered with only 1 and a half engines in that kind of weather, Mum & Dad was faced with 2 choices, keep going the last 20 miles to Rhodes, Greece (we had changed course due to the weather) and face the almost guaranteed prospect of sinking as we were taking on water through the damaged bow, or turn tale and literally surf board the 90' yacht 200 miles to Cyprus. Dad chose the latter.
Please note, we couldn't use the VHF Radio to call for help as the antennas for all the radios had all been ripped off and washed away by the storm, it was that ferocious!
On arrival in Cyprus at 1am in the morning, nobody in the port authority of Limassol could believe we got through the storm. I remember vividly one of the lines men milling around area shouting out "Where the ****ing hell did you come from? and how did you get through that storm"? It turned out it was the worst storm they had had in over 30 years. The whole of Limassol port was buzzing with coast guard, police and the harbour authorities because 2 big ships were in serious difficulties, one a 30,000 ton tanker was going down so they had helicopters on stand-by to recue the crew if needed and if the wind dropped enough. One of the big all weather savage vessels was already enroute to it. (They did get to the tanker eventually and did save the ship and it's cargo).
Anyway the plan was to stay in Cyprus for 6 months to get things sorted so we could continue back to Australia. Well that didn't go to plan. 47 years later and we are still here in Cyprus.
But we did get involved in ferrying people out of The Lebanon, as it was one of the big blow ups of the 1975-1990 civil war there. But that is a whole different and hair raising story!!
And that was just a very condensed version of the adventures of my early life!
The next chapter would start after I left the family and headed off to work at sea just before my 16th birthday. Maybe I'll write about it in full one day...
2 What was the attitude towards nudity and naturism in your home and upbringing as a child and teen?
It was always quite relaxed going to and from the bathroom etc, naked was the norm until my sister turn 11 and she started throwing tantrums if anyone saw her naked so Mum clamped down and nudity out side of bedrooms/shower was banned.
As a teen I used to go to a hidden area close to Larnaca marina and strip off for an hour or so but while it felt good I knew if I was found out it would spell trouble. I just grew out of that and for years after just thought it was a phase I went through.
3 How did you first get involved in naturism and what were your initial thoughts.
You could say when I returned to naturism 40 years later my first thoughts were: At worst I am an outright pervert at best I am just a weirdo. I opted for the weirdo as I remembered my teenaged years haha.
4. Do you think that your initial reasons and attitudes towards naturism have changed since then?
Not really, I stumbled into naturism really not understanding the whole concept to be honest. I just thought back to the time on Larnaca Marina in the 1970's I had no one to talk to about anything like this.
But my attitude has just become more open and honest about my lifestyle now. It's no longer a state secret. But also I must thank ANW for that as well.
5. Tell us about your naturist adventures so far.
I have so much to tell, but question 1 has taken so long I'll condense this question.
Most weekends in our 7-8 warm/hot months a year I try to get at least part of every weekend high in the mountains where I can ride my bike or go hiking naked. If I can't get to the mountains I head up to the Red Cliffs and take pot luck that no-one is there.
I love exploring the mountains and finding new places to strip off and chill out.
Luckily I have the health and fitness at my age to be able to do this.
6. How would you best explain naturism to someone new to it and what advice would you offer to them?
First I stress it has nothing to do with sex as that is the common misconception here in Cyprus as with many places around the world.
I tell them of the mental benefits and of how it can or will change their lives if they just give it a chance.
If they show interest I will talk about it further. Otherwise I just leave it at that, the last thing people need is someone ramming a life style down their throat
7. What do you think naturism has taught you about yourself and do you think it has changed you in any way?
I learnt that it is just a standard life style with nothing to be ashamed of. My attitude became more relaxed, I take more notice of people now both dressed and naked, I can interpret body language better, and most of all I learnt not to judge people. For me that was the most important lesson.
Over all it made me a nicer person, even if I still act like a grumpy old fart.
8. Do you think that there are certain people better suited to naturism and others that are not suited to it?
In life there are all kind of people, everyone is suited for naturism if their intentions and attitudes can adapt to this innocent lifestyle.
9. How does your country consider naturism? How do the laws stand supporting naturism? What are the national and local opportunities like?
Illegal, if caught outdoors naked and someone has reported you or complained, then fines and possible jail time depending on the mood of the judge.
There are so many opportunities here for naturism, if it was legal.
10. How would you like to see the future of naturism developing over the next 30 years and do you feel these ideas are achievable.
Personally I think family Naturism will be driven underground in the years to come. There are just too many really loud idiots out there condemning the naturist families and labelling them as perverts etc.... There is not enough kick back against them. ANW is fighting a very good fight but Naturism needs more....
I cannot see naturist clubs/resorts lasting while they are going more over to "18 + only" and the attitude of no single males while the females are being made to feel single males are dangerous so they need protection from the single male predators that are roaming around. I'm not saying single males are angels. but a very few rotten apples have spoilt it for so many.
12. If the world was accepting of naturism - happy to take on a clothing optional policy in most situations - how do you think it would change the way society works - what positives could you imagine and do you think there would be any negatives?
This would be paradise in my eyes. Unfortunately it would never work as humans world wide would not let it. It's just not in our nature as a species.
13. Are there any aspect of naturism that frustrates you or annoys you or you feel let down by?
In naturism as in all other ways of life there are things that could be better and do annoy me.
Naturist etiquette is taken to the extreme in places. Naturist etiquette needs to be based on simple logical common sense not on the fear of upsetting or offending others.
But in all walks of life it is now about not upsetting or offending the snowflakes.
14. Has there ever been a specific day, location, venue, activity that at the end of it has made you think - this is naturism at its best - and why?
Not really, I feel that way every weekend in the warm weather.
15. Do you speak to friends and family about your naturism? How has that been? Do you have any tips? Has it ever had a bad effect on a relationship?
Yes I tell most of my family and friends about my adventures often, mostly they are receptive even though they will not try the lifestyle themselves.
My only tip is don't push naturism, if people are receptive talk about it. if not walk away.
Bad effect? By admitting I am a naturist it ended a 45 year friendship. The pure hate I received from her was not worth it.
Other than that, is has not always been plain sailing but if friends or family care about your well being they will learn to accept your naturism even if they don't want to talk about it.
17. If you were to close your eyes and consider naturism as an animal, a colour and a food item what three answers would come to mind?
Wolf, can be alone but prefers a pack
Blue, the colour of the sky (mostly over here)
Banana, sweet likeable and full of energy
18. Do you have any naturist regrets?
Only that I didn't start sooner
19. Why do you think people should join ANW? What can existing naturists get from it and how about "newbies"?
Because ANW is a safe space. Everybody can and do benefit from their membership on here. Any questions are answered honestly and openly. If you are a newbie and need a mentor someone will step up for sure. Plus the shear volume of information can only benefit everyone.
20. If you could go anywhere in the world now as a naturist where would it be?
Anywhere hot where it is legal I don't care where.
21. If ANW wasn't about naturism but something else entirely what other life choice/hobby/interest/passion...would have made you consider joining it?
If it was about cycling adventures that involved exploring new hard to get to places, otherwise not a chance
22. Many naturists incorporate naturism into the daily home life - how important do you think that is to naturists?
I think it is very important especially to keep us grounded and make being naked a normal way of life, not just for special occasions.
23. Tell us a little about the importance of cycling in your naturism.
Without the cycling I probably wouldn't have got so involved with naturism and definitely I wouldn't have reaped the benefits of my naturist life style.
Cycling gave me the freedom to cover distances and incorporate naturism with my love of exploring and keeping fairly fit throughout summer.
Without my cycling I may have become a home naturist but I doubt I would have got the confidence to venture outside.
Thanks ANW for allowing my to add my two penn'orth to the site 😁
Colin The Nude Cyclist
Thank you to Colin for sharing aspects of his life and naturism in this interview.
ANW welcomes all who are respectful and interested in naturism and invite all genuine naturist organisations, clubs, events, venues and other opportunities to be part of the ANW community and work with us to encourage the growth and acceptance of naturism around the world. If you have any questions email Anna and Steve at [email protected]
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