Floating Sauna - St Mawes

The concept of a floating sauna, is not new, particularly in their natural Finnish habitat, with endless open lakes and wild swimming spots. However, the notion of a floating sauna on our UK shorelines, was yet to be realised, and a dream we knew had to come to fruition, if we ever wanted to share the true benefits of hot and cold therapy in nature.

Using the design from our first ever sauna, our aim was to create a fully working and immersive sauna experience on the breathtaking Percuil estuary, between St Mawes and Place. Starting its journey several miles away in Penryn, the sauna had to be easily towed between locations, house enough firewood to keep going for at least a full day, and remain fully robust and in tact during unpredictable Spring tides and weather conditions.

Being a Cornish local wasn't enough and we knew we needed to bring on the expertise of those used to dealing with such changeable elements, and in the context of floating vessels. Working alongside ScaffFloat, innovators in floating pontoons made from metal and scaffolding boards, and expert seafarers with strong local knowledge, together we designed our floating structure. Ensuring the pontoon was equally as aesthetically pleasing as the sauna, void of visible plastic barrels and metal barriers, so the two could merge together and blend into their woodland backdrop.

Over the course of two weeks, the floating sauna meandered it’s way around the estuary, bellowing smoke from the roof, attracting a staggering amount of interest from local hotels, boat owners and passers by. Easily accessible by kayak, paddle board or boat, the floating sauna was a true testament to what can be achieved by working together, along with the elements, taking a very careful and considered approach to our surroundings.