RESULTS

Jena Robinson of Rudding Park Spa crowned winner of second Aufguss UK Championships

The second Aufguss UK Championships have just wrapped at Galgorm Resort in Northern Ireland with Jena Robinson of Rudding Park Spa being crowned this year’s winner. Second place was awarded to Melissa Little of Anada Spa and Wellness and third place to Dan Lawson of Nomadic Sauna.

Running over two days from Monday 22nd to Wednesday 24th April, the event saw competitors from across the UK showcasing their skill and aptitude in Aufguss.

UK Aufguss trainer and founder of the Aufguss UK Championships Deborah Carr of Anada Spa and Wellness said: “This year was all about taking the learning from last year and building on that to make the event as successful as last year, and even bigger and better for the future.

 “It’s been awesome to see our competitors blossom, and the rituals being so well-received by the guests, by the participants and the host venue, Galgorm. It's just been a really wonderful positive experience.”

Tara Moore, Head of Spa Operations at this year’s host venue Galgorm Resort said, “We were delighted to host the Championships this year at Galgorm. Having offered Aufguss for a number of years at the spa we were honoured to have the participants, judges and mentors at the Resort.  

Sitting in on some of the performances was just magical. Our guests, members and staff loved the experience. We’re especially proud of our own Zak Moore for competing in his first ever competition.

It was a great learning experience for him and we hope that he will continue to compete in more competitions in the future.”

This year’s event was sponsored by Finnmark – the UK’s leading authentic sauna specialists, and Beach Box – an off-grid Sauna Spa with three traditional wood-fired saunas and cold plunges, on Brighton Beach.

Commenting on the championships CEO of Finnmark Jake Newport said: “My highlight for the championships was seeing the continued growth of the Aufguss community in the UK including new contestants, new sponsors and new faces in the audience. 

It's great to see returning contestants progressing and showing that success comes from determination, hard work and practise. I am really excited to see how Jena and Melissa get on in the finals and playoffs, and how returning contestants progress at next years championships.”

Liz Watson of Beach Box added: “From seeing the infectious joy and sheer dedication shown by the contestants, the utterly unforgettable skills and performances of current Aufguss World and Slovakian Champion Robert Židek, and previous Czech Champion Eliš Blažek, to meeting the expert judges from the Aufguss VM; the whole event was a success from start to finish.

We are at the start of a long Aufguss journey in this country. I believe this event will start to put Aufguss into the toolkit of spas and saunas around the UK as a valid and beneficial ritual that shows skill and understanding of steam and aroma.”  

Lasse Eriksen, the Vice President of Aufguss WM and one of this year’s judges shared his thoughts on the championships and future of Aufguss in the UK: “I believe, give it a little bit of time, give it support and dare to give Aufguss a try. Like anything, good food, good drinks, everything needs to take time to make it really perfect.

Over the next few years I believe the UK will evolve as a sauna and sweat nation because you already have such a great spa culture. To embrace the social wellness concept of sauna and Aufguss is perfect for the UK, because you're social people.

I believe the dedication from the participants and UK masters is infectious and Aufguss will just continue to grow from its grassroots to something so much bigger. Give it time, but I would say in three years, we will see how big it really can be.”

Tara Moore, of Galgorm concludes: “I would encourage any spa owners interested in Aufguss to find out more.  It’s a great way of offering something different to your spa guests. Both guests and staff truly love it as its something a little bit different. It is also a revenue stream with low costs so a win win for any Spa.”