Seaside sauna brings back the heat

After being introduced to the benefits of saunas while working on the high seas, Rob Savage is bringing his own to the Picton Foreshore.

After spending a year building their own, Rob and his partner Alejandra Gárate, have officially launched El Sauna, a sauna available for the public to use based at the Picton Foreshore that has now reopened for the summer every Sunday from 2pm and some weekdays, depending on the weather and demand.

With the first sauna build taking a year to build with a few modifications in between, the idea of building a sauna and opening it to the public was a good enough idea for a successful winter trial.

Alejandra says that now they’re open again, they’re hopeful that both regulars and newbies start joining them on the Foreshore for some sauna therapy now.

“The whole idea of sauna being therapeutic spans many cultures, but I was introduced to it through working on some Norwegian ships where the saunas were built in. We always used it when we’d have downtime. I grew to love it and wanted to bring it home.

“At the end of Covid, we really wanted a sauna at home, so we agreed on a budget, then realised that we might be moving house, so we came up with the idea of building one on a trailer capable of moving”.

“We thought it could be fun at first, to get it down to the beach and use it personally, now we’re happy giving it a go as a small business and sharing the experience”.

While Rob and Alejandra launched El Sauna as a trial earlier in the year, their original plan for Shelly Beach was not allowed; however, a review and a location change saw it become possible.

“We’re rapt to have the chance, and we’re grateful to David Croad for revisiting the initial decision and having the courage to take a second look as well as the whole Council Parks department team”, said Rob.

“Over our winter trial it grew a real social perspective, you’ve got everyone from schoolteachers to firefighters to stay at home moms and farmers, a real mixture socialising like it’s the pub in the good old days.

“It took a year chipping away at building it at home, but it’s all based around eco-building principles with thermally modified pine benches and Oregon framing to keep it free of solvents and any other nasties. It’s been a really educational experience, and we’ve got the know-how to do more now.”

You can book via www.elsauna.co.nz or contact us on Facebook, Instagram, or email [email protected]