Life under Hugo Chavez’s totalitarian government has progressively become harder, yet a hardy group of Venezuelans continues to enjoy a dose of freedom through the joys of nudism. Soynudista has been around for four years, and claims a membership of over one hundred, according to founder Nestor Collins.
Collins, born in the USA to a Venezuelan mother whom brought him back to the old country as a child, says his group remains apolitical, but has enjoyed a large measure of public notoriety via the media, including appearances on national television talk shows. Although nudism was virtually unknown in his adopted country forty years ago, Collins reminds us that it’s no longer taboo, Caracas having seen 1,800 people disrobe in the city center for a Spencer Tunick photo shoot just a few years ago.
Collins told us that there are no laws in Venezuela that prohibit public nudity, and although there are currently no legal nudist beaches, he fully expects that someday there will be something akin to Haulover, the legendary nude beach in Florida of which he also happens to have been one of the original founding members. Collins is currently the chairman of Soynudista, which means “I am a nudist”, leaving the day to day management to six coordinators who organize such things as the monthly beach trip for this family-oriented club. Collins also co-founded the only other nudist club in Venezuela, but only participates in this one.
The club is non-profit, although members are asked to contribute 10 Bolivares a month, just over 2 USD, to help defray costs. To find-out more about Soynudista, visit their web site.
Loading ...