Guess I’d call myself a naturist these days, though it took me 20 years of thinking about it to take the plunge a couple of years ago. That included a long-term relationship with a woman who wouldn’t go topless at a beach, so I didn’t even mention it because it just wasn’t happening - since we split up, I’m free to do whatever I want, and it’s great.
100% non-sexual for me, although my first time was in Brighton, UK - gay capital of the UK! - and I think the beach there can get quite cruise-y sometimes later on, but it’s just not my experience.
First time you swim naked is a revelation. Once you get over the discomfort/nervousness that first time, it becomes really natural far quicker than you think. Doing karaoke in front of 200 people in the buff might sound like some sort of Freudian nightmare - but honestly, you’ve never lived until you’ve done it!
Going for my fifth full weekend at a naturist club this coming weekend, trip to a nudist beach on Saturday if the (British) weather holds up.