A local group of swimmers belonging to the Folkestone Sea Sauna group are lobbying for a sauna to be set up on Folkestone beach and it’s seen a positive response from surveys so far.
We caught up with Peter Blanch, the man behind the proposal, to find out a little bit more about how the idea came about and how close we are to seeing Folkestone’s very own sea sauna.
Peter, originally from Denmark, has been swimming in the sea all-year round for about four years now and wants to encourage local residents to give a try, particularly winter bathing which he expressed has had some profound effect on the way he experiences the winter blues.
“I was on holiday some point five years ago in Denmark and I came across some people who were talking about the benefits of winter bathing and it being quite a spiritual thing and how it helps destress you, I thought I live by the sea and should probably explore that.
“I found a few people in Folkestone who were already into winter bathing – I went regularly for the first winter and it was quite an eye opener for me – I started viewing experience of winter blues in a very different light – it felt like they had all disappeared. It had quite a profound effect on my mood, mental health and wellbeing.”
Saunas have been popping up in places like Margate and Brighton and Peter is hoping a sauna at Folkestone beach will encourage residents to give winter bathing a go and explore the numerous benefits.
A survey was run across the swimming community Facebook group to find out if people would be willing to become members of Folkestone Rowing Club if they were to build a sauna which received an overwhelmingly positive response.