By Jordan Coates, Editor in Chief
Tourists need not jet off to Europe to enjoy the exotic luxuries of nudism. Here in Pasco County, there is opportunity just next door.
Although millions of Americans hear curse words, watch sexually explicit activities in movies, and watch episode upon episode of trashy television shows, nudity is curiously deemed unlawful and socially unacceptable by many of those same people. However, not all Americans feel that way. Unlikely as it may seem, Pasco County is the naturist capital of the world. Organized naturism, or nudism, began with a nude hiking club in the 1800s, and modern naturism originated in Germany in the 1920s. It was brought to America and took root in Pasco County. Other states have naturist resorts, but Florida has the largest number, with a large majority located in Pasco County. Pasco has several naturist resorts and according to the Pasco Area Naturist Development Association (PANDA), “within Pasco are more residential naturists than anywhere else in the world.”
While many people flock to Florida to enjoy this luxury and really partake in the back-to-nature movements sweeping the nation, just as many do not understand this lifestyle. Some people see nudism as people who just like to be naked, but to others, it is a purposeful lifestyle. Nudists have a keener relationship with nature and wish to express themselves more personally and naturally. A nudist taking off their clothes is a sign of refreshing comfort, a comfort the average person may not have. These people who support naturism view the removal of clothing as a removal of prejudice, self-consciousness, and social boundaries. When only skin separates people, room for judgment is gone, and people can be themselves. However, one should not assume this means undressed Floridians are amongst people in their everyday lives. Naturists live normal lives; they just have the luxury of coming home or spending time in a community with others who share this same lifestyle.
Although ParadiseValleyResort.com says that “Pasco has the highest concentration of nudist colonies in the nation, earning a worldwide reputation as one of the few “nudist-friendly counties,” many nudists still face struggle with expansion and cruel stereotyping. Many nudists express that this lifestyle choice is not to offend or cause discomfort to others; they practice nudism respectfully and enforce their own rules within nudist beaches, communities, and resorts. For example, Miami’s Haulover Beach welcomes nude sunbathers, but enforces rules such as no photos without permission, no overt sexual activity, no gawking, and similar rules. Nudist communities have been created and are home to people from all walks of life, including ministers, judges, doctors, teachers, and more.
Some people tend to think of nudists as sexual deviants or in other derogatory terms. The misconceptions and lack of acceptance surrounding this lifestyle are troublesome features. Is America not the melting pot nation, full of people of all different races, religions, and beliefs? With any difference in choice and lifestyle, there are difficulties and possible troubles, such as some arguments that children may wander onto a clothing optional section and run into a bare sunbather. However, naturists do their best to post and provide warning of these clothing optional areas; just as R rated movies warn viewers of nudity. So, what is the difference? Perhaps these two forms of nudity are not so different. However, many disagree, as in the instance where Pinellas County commissioners voted against a clothing-optional beach in 1999. What many might not know, however, is that Pasco County, with its many nationally known nude resorts, brings in quite a bit of tourism revenue for Florida. Nudists not only obtain memberships at resorts and visit the beaches, but many seek residence in nudist communities. Real estate really helps this industry, and the nudist communities are a growing market sector. According to a St. Petersburg Times article, a clothing optional area on Pinellas County’s busiest beach could bring in a large number of tourist revenue, with increases up to as much as one million a year. Already, Haulover Beach brings in 5,000 to 8,000nude sunbathers a weekend.
Here in Pasco County, there are seven or more different resorts, varying in their residents and disrobing policies. Paradise Lakes Resort is a resort, hotel, and spa inviting guests to relax and be themselves, maintaining the policy “take off as much as you are comfortable with.” Lake Como is a family-oriented resort. They do hold a nude only rule for pools and hot tubs, but they are pet friendly, have restaurants, sports, and a natural atmosphere. Caliente, a world class Caribbean-style clothing optional resort and club offers a number of activities, parties, gym, pools, bar, and more. Caliente also has a sister nudist resort in the Dominican Republic and was the site for one of Nicole Richie and Paris Hilton’s jobs on the series The Simple Life. These three resorts are in Land O’ Lakes, along with The Woods, a nudist RV campsite, Oasis, a nudist community, and the Island Group. Two other family-oriented nudist resorts are Cypress Cove in Kissimmee and Gulf Coast Resort in Hudson. There is also a young, college aged group, Vida Nuda, which plans trips to different resorts, and provides opportunities for the younger generation to hang out and socialize, no clothes required! This group can be found on Facebook.com.
These nudist organizations also provide student scholarships, partake in community service and volunteer work, and donate some proceeds to other funds and charities. Organizations such as the American Association for Nude Recreation and PANDA are striving to expand awareness of nudism and its economic impact. They are working hard to show the benefits of naturists and build strong ties with the entire community of Pasco. These naturists are ‘baring all’ in hopes to embrace and increase acceptance of this lifestyle. In this rapidly changing world, awareness and acceptance are key: Florida is not just home to spring breakers and retirees. The naturist lifestyle is not for everyone, but is there for those who are interested. Plus, as residents of Pasco County, it is interesting to learn about this history, industry, tourism, and way of living that is only one tank of gas away.
