Seaside Sauna Haus - a sauna for our beaches

Aim

Bring a mobile, woodfired sauna to West Dorset beaches. Encouraging the community to connect to our coastline and reap the benefits of sauna

I'm Sarah. I've lived in Bridport all my life. I'm a mum, daughter, wife, sister, social worker and friend. I'm also just me. And whenever I sit in the sauna I return to being just myself. The sauna philosophy is simple. Par back, get back to basics, sit, be still, sweat it out. And then get back out there and crack on with life. 

Having lived in Dorset my whole life, I am very passionate about our wonderful coastline. We are so lucky to have it on our doorsteps. When the tourist season ends the beaches clear and the skies become moody. And yet we can still find solace and connection to our landscape. A sauna on the beach will encourage this connection to continue through the year and also into the depths of winter. 

Why a sauna here? 

This love of the sea and our beautiful West Dorset beaches is not unique to me. Woodfired saunas are beginning to pop up across the UK see www.beachboxspa.co.uk 

www.dezeen.com/2019/12/23/haeckels-margate-bathing-machine-sauna). 

There is a movement of people enjoying their benefits - for health reasons as well as social aspects. 

The sauna symobilses slowing down, recouping and recharging through heating the body, sweating and detoxing. It is a communal activity enjoyed by many cultures, allowing us to destress in a cocoon like environment away from the distractions of the modern world. 

The process of heating up and cooling down, means that a quick sea dip or splash with icy water post sauna just enhances the whole experience. 

What your money is for? 

This crowdfunder will allow Seaside Sauna Haus to purchase a sauna similar to the images below and a trailer to tow it - a first rate commercially built sauna. 

The sauna will seat between 6-8 people at a time, with changing facilities. It will have a state of the art harvia sauna stove, to efficiently burn wood and heat up to temperature within 45mins of being lit. 

The Crowdfunder will support Seaside Sauna Haus in the start up costs needed to get liability insurance and trading licences, as well as rental space for keeping the sauna safe when not trading. 

What will it look like when the sauna arrives? 

We can pitch up on any flat area near on the coast... West Bay, Dorset with easy access to the beach. We know we'll get a lot of support from fellow sauna lovers but the aim is to also bring the wellness of sauna to the wider community.... Introducing the benefits mentally and physically for a wider audience. Water sport enthusiasts will love it for pre or post exercise (sea swimmers, paddleboarders, runners, rowers and kayakers, etc) throughout the day. And people will use it as a hub to relax and reset from daily life. It is going to be fantastic to have something that extends the season....as nothing beats a hot sauna as the days and nights get colder and damper. 

I am to start small, a few days a week. And will grow as the sauna grows in popularity. Those keen to sauna will be able to book one off sessions throughout the day at a time that suits them. There will be discount rates for multiple sessions and opportunities to hire as a group. 

I've also been offered a pitch next to The Anchor in Seatown and have full support of the beach owner and landlord of the pub for those visiting the beach and surrounding area. I know other beaches will follow suit as it grows, so watch this space! 

The sauna can be hired out by businesses as well as private individuals (local to West Dorset) to help subsidise the communal beach sauna sessions. We've already had discussions with www.weareresurface.com in Bournemouth who would love a beach sauna once a month to enhance their Rise and Conquer morning swims, which any member of the public can attend.

This project successfully funded on 29th February 2020