Third UK Aufguss Championships to take place in London

The third Aufguss UK Championships are set to take place at ARC Canary Wharf in London from May 18-19.

Tickets have gone on sale for the competition, which will see the UK’s top sauna masters compete in the ancient European sauna ritual.

Champions from the single and team categories will go on to represent the UK at the Aufguss WM Finals in Italy this September.

ARC is a new state-of-the-art wellness venue with a 65-person aufguss sauna. It also has eight Brass Monkey ice baths and spacious performance areas.

Founded by Chris Miller, formerly of Soho House, and Alana Kit, formerly of Othership, ARC houses the largest sauna in the UK.

Supporting the aufguss movement

Aufguss and sauna culture are trends to watch, as featured in the new European Spa Platinum Resource. A 15-minute dramatic performance in the sauna, it features storylines, aromatic infusions, costumes and lighting, creating a sensory journey for participants.

Sauna masters deliver the transformative power of steam and heat with skill, dedication and commitment.

Theatrical sauna shows are already growing in popularity in UK spas, and aufguss has long been popular with spa-goers in Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, Nordic countries and the South Tyrol.

In Europe, the Aufguss WM World Championships have been taking place for a decade.

An international jury of experts will oversee the event and evaluate participants based on technique, storytelling and sensory immersion.

Judges include Martijn Vanhoorelbeke, Lay Pang Ong, Heonsok Kim and Christina Boring. Participants are rated across seven categories.

• Professionalism and overall impression
• Increase and distribution of heat
• Waving techniques
• Fragrances and usage/dosage
• Theme implementation and show elements
• Atmosphere and feeling
• Team spirit

The UK Aufguss Championships will precede the British Sauna Summit, which takes place on May 20. The two events will merge on the evening of May 20 for the announcement of the Aufguss UK winners.

Tickets are priced at £75, which grant’s access to three performances from both UK and World competitors and champions, as well as the ARC Canary Wharf lounge and wellness spaces. Early bird tickets are available for £60 before March 31.

Tickets are on sale here.

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