If you decide to travel to Russia, one of the best destinations for you is St. Petersburg. St. Petersburg is a well-known cultural and historical centre, and we have no doubt that whenever you visit the “North Capital” you will be deeply impressed by its beauty. But what to do if no events are scheduled for today for your tourist group and the summer sun is bleaching you in stifling downtown? It is clear, of course what everyone of us wants in such a case. Few years ago, however, you had to forget your being naturist until the return to your native country… But now please throw away your bathing-suits from your suitcase when preparing to travel to St. Petersburg.
On behalf of the St. Petersburg Naturist Society we welcome you to our beautiful naturist place. A fine sandy beach surrounded with pine-trees is located near the Gulf of Finland. Regrettably, there is no possibility for accommodation (some fans put up tents here, though) but the beach is very convenient for one-day visit. If you have a natural seduction to look at it, it would be ideal if you could contact our office ahead of time before your visit. Then, you will be escorted to the clothing-optional beach by a member of our club. If you want to come on your own, you should take the subway to Lenin Square, reach Finland Railway Station and catch the local train to Kurort Station (it takes about 1 hour, price approx. USD 1,70 for a return ticket.) From Kurort Station you should go along the foreshore of the Gulf (water-left) for about 30min. It is wise to depart early (say at 8am.)
The summer of 1992 was a turning point in the development of naturism in Russia. That year the Naturist Society of St. Petersburg (called also Free-Body Culture Society) became an officially recognized organization and the fans of naturism had the possibility of enjoying nude recreation without any risk. Since 1992 the clothing-optional lifestyle has become more and more popular among the people of all ages and walks of life in St. Petersburg.
Here are some bare facts in our city.
Number of people who at least once tried to sunbathe au naturel on our beach approx. 50,000
Number of frequent visitors of the beach (>10 times of the year) 5,000
Maximum attendance (on sunny weekends) 3,500
Membership holders of the club more than 500
Attendance in ordinary hot days approx. 500
Persons visiting naturist mixed sauna and Russian steam bath 80
In 1992/93, the number of male naturists considerably exceeded that of the female ones. Today the female/male ratio is about 40/60 and some days approaches 50/50. The average age of sunbathers is somewhat between 30 and 40. The membership in the Naturist Society costs USD5.00 per person per year. Women have a privilege of a membership fee twice reduced. Children under 16 may be enrolled only with their parents or with the accompanying adults.
Like in all regular European naturist resorts, overt intimacy of any kind is strictly prohibited even for married couples. Cameras are not forbidden but you should be convinced that only those who wish will appear in the pictures.
We are striving to manifest naturism as a part of healthy lifestyle and to prove its positive effect on physical and mental health both for ourselves and for non-naturists. This is why most of the naturists of all ages participate in different sport activities in the nude like volleyball, football and swimming instead of just lying in the sun. Our beach is rather clean in comparison with textile beaches near St. Petersburg and every effort is made for this purpose. Sometines, a yacht is anchored off the beach where a small dance party is organized. Many naturists prefer natural food such as fruits, juice or beef to cakes, candies and wine. Although smoking and moderate consumption of alcohol is not forbidden here, only a small part of visitors does so. Quite a few have given up smoking since they became naturists.
More than eighty percent of St. Petersburg’s naturists are college-educated individuals, many were awarded M.S., M.A. or even Ph.D. degrees. Many are fluent in foreign languages, play musical instruments, and have a wide knowledge in history, culture and art. So when you visit our beach you will find interesting people here and it is quite probable that you will wish to make a contact with somebody for friendship and to return visits. Even if you do not know a word of Russian, you most probably find people who will be glad to have a chat with you in your native language.
Attendance of the clothing-optional beach is unlimited and open to everyone regardless of age, family status, sex, shape and size. There is no quota for different naturists like, for example, in some North American clubs. We only would not like to meet here those who come for “sightseeing” rather than for the rest and relaxation. Occasionally, such people show up from time to time so we have to make them leave and not to return again. Foreign visitors are always most welcome but, as we may deduce from conversations with tourists, most of them mistakenly believe that nude beaches are prohibited in Russia.
Information on naturism in our city is provided by the Holynature internet site (http://www.holynature.ru). It is an interesting web site though it has been primarily designed for other purposes than the promotion of naturism, and is mainly dedicated to all forms of beauty: nature, body, science, art, erotica etc. For this reason one should not regard it as a true naturist site. Regretfully some of the readers of the above site have misinterpreted its concept and started suggesting that only those who are young and pretty is worth becoming nudists in our city. In fact, none of us share it. Like in any European naturist club, body acceptance is a condition “sine qua non” for each one of us.
More than eighty percent of St. Petersburg’s naturists are college-educated individuals, many were awarded M.S., M.A. or even Ph.D. degrees. Many are fluent in foreign languages, play musical instruments, and have a wide knowledge in history, culture and art. So when you visit our beach you will find interesting people here and it is quite probable that you will wish to make a contact with somebody for friendship and to return visits. Even if you do not know a word of Russian, you most probably find people who will be glad to have a chat with you in your native language.
Attendance of the clothing-optional beach is unlimited and open to everyone regardless of age, family status, sex, shape and size. There is no quota for different naturists like, for example, in some North American clubs. We only would not like to meet here those who come for “sightseeing” rather than for the rest and relaxation. Occasionally, such people show up from time to time so we have to make them leave and not to return again. Foreign visitors are always most welcome but, as we may deduce from conversations with tourists, most of them mistakenly believe that nude beaches are prohibited in Russia.
Information on naturism in our city is provided by the Holynature internet site (http://www.holynature.ru). It is an interesting web site though it has been primarily designed for other purposes than the promotion of naturism, and is mainly dedicated to all forms of beauty: nature, body, science, art, erotica etc. For this reason one should not regard it as a true naturist site. Regretfully some of the readers of the above site have misinterpreted its concept and started suggesting that only those who are young and pretty is worth becoming nudists in our city. In fact, none of us share it. Like in any European naturist club, body acceptance is a condition “sine qua non” for each one of us.
The gay/lesbian section is adjacent to the beach and attracts people with non-standard sexual orientation. However, nobody minds gay male or female coming to the “conventional” part of the beach. Usually the gay section is frequented by 50-100 individuals and looks almost deserted.
There are several high-qualified artists who are ready and able to make your full-length portrait directly at the beach. A small display of such portraits is periodically held. Usually, the sketch is being made free of charge, but further you should either agree to your portrait to be exhibited or pay for the work of an artist or take it with you when it is ready. There is one painter specializing in body art who can colour you with flowers stars and leaves. People often hesitate when being suddenly offered such a thing after overcoming an initial inconvenience all “models” are very glad that had agreed. Now this painter makes efforts to initiate new direction of body art by trying the Japanese calligraphy.
If you would like to visit a Bath you are strongly advised to contact the Board of the Free Body Culture well in advance since only a member of the club may be admitted “automatically.” However, if you have a naturist certificate issued in your country, you may enter with no problems. The Russian steam bath with a sauna (c0nveniently situated to access it from the centre) is open to naturists each Monday from 6 to 10p.m. and Friday from 7 to 11p.m. The naturist bath is an excellent way to avoid losing contact between us in winter. This is a very good bath (at least there is no doubt that it is one of the best baths in St. Petersburg.)
Many of us became friends and several special interest groups were formed. In particular, there is one group whose participants often go to the theatres and museums together, and afterwards compare notes in an informal clothing-optional atmosphere (on the beach or at home.) From time to time Free Nude Celebrities are held. The members of another group prefer going together in the forests to collect mushrooms or cranberries, especially in autumn. Usually, nobody minds non-naturists joining such activities.
Moreover, St. Petersburg naturist society became a leading organization within the framework of the National Federation for Naturism (NFfN). The NFfN is an officially recognized All-Russian naturist association. If you wish to visit the NFfN-affiliated clubs in Murmansk or Vladivostok, Moscow or Astrakhan, you will be always welcomed. Information on such clubs is available upon request from St. Petersburg Naturist Society: POB 615, RUS-199053 St. Petersburg.
Mikhail Vexler & Aleksander Kotzov
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