3rd UK Aufguss Championships
This year’s event will be taking place on 18th-19th May, at Arc in Canary Wharf, London.
2025 Partners
We are thrilled to announce that Arc, Canary Wharf, London, will host the 3rd Aufguss UK Championships.
Situated in one of London’s most prestigious districts, Arc is a brand new state-of-the-art wellness venue, and is the UK’s first purpose-built Aufguss sauna.
Programme & tickets
Tickets are priced at £75 which will not only allow access to 3 performances from both UK and World competitors and champions, but also into the state-of-the-art Arc lounge and wellness spaces.
Early bird tickets are available for £60, if you purchase before the 31st March.
The following times are available:
Sunday
16.30 - 19.00
17.00: Lay Pang Ong
17.45: Hannah Goodger
18.30: Robert Zidek
19.00 - 21.30
19.30: Jena Robinson
20.15: Eliska Zidek Blazek
21.00: Dan Lawson & Steph Gibb
Monday
09.30 - 12.00
10.00: Oliver Wesley
10.45: Emma Chladkova
11.15: Dan Lawson
12.00 - 14.30
12.30: Alison Yates
13.15: Robert Zidek
14.00 Antonia & Kyle
14.30 - 17.00
15.00: Eliska Zidek Blazek
15.45: Zak Moore
16.30: Emma Chladkova
17.00 - 19.30
17.30: Ellie Wilson
18.15: Robert Zidek and Eliska Zidek Blazek
19.00: Chandler Fox
The venue:
Arc, Canary Wharf, London.
Situated in one of London’s most vibrant and dynamic districts, Arc is a brand new state-of-the-art wellness venue. With world-class facilities, including a modern 65-person Aufguss sauna, advanced sound and lighting systems, 8 Brass Monkey ice baths, and spacious performance areas, Arc is designed to elevate both participant and spectator experiences, while fostering deeper connection, merging community based approach.
How are Aufguss performances judged?
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Preparation: Did the Aufguss Master deliver their light plan and information on time? Did they exceed their preparation time? Did they respect the rules of the organisation?
Opening & closing: Impression & professionalism of opening and closing of the Aufguss. How did the Aufgus start? Was there a clear ending?
Organisation & hygiene: Organisation & cleanliness inside the sauna (are the towels ready to hand? Are buckets in the way?) Does the Aufguss Master know where everything is placed?
Performance: Charisma and performance of Aufguss Master. How does the Aufguss Master act? Eye contact, connection with audience, voice volume, safety & control, fitness/condition.
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Increase of the heat: Increase the heat through the round till there’s a ‘heat-shower’ in the last round.
Distribution of the heat: Heat needs to be noticeable while the technique is shown.
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Classical techniques: Aufguss Master shows a minimum of 4 nicely performed classic techniques (waving techniques with two hands & helicopter), size of the towels
Show techniques: Aufguss Master shows a minimum of 4 nicely performed show techniques (one handed techniques, use of both hands, two towel technique and walking, throw and catch, open towel etc)
Smooth transition: Smooth transition between the techniques & possible combinations.
Special techniques: New or difficult techniques, special combinations, innovation, multiple variations
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Perception: Perception of minimum of 3 natural aromas (essential oil, infusion, smoke…) during the Aufguss
Use of water & ice products: Professional use of water, ice and fragrance during the Aufguss
Creativity & quality: Does the fragrance fit the theme? Special combinations? Creative use of fragrance?
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Show & storyline: Theme in general. Is the theme recognisable? Impression of the story and storyline. Is it coherent?
Scenery & elements: Show elements recongisable and according to the theme. Costumes, decoration, fitting Aufguss equipment.
Lights & visual effects: Light plan & visual effects (dry ice, fire, special effects…)
Creativity & innovation: Newly written story? Unique? Innovative theme?
International understanding: Can everybody (independent of his nation) understand the topic/story?
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Atmosphere: Subjective feeings/assessment of each jury member of the general atmosphere during the Aufguss
Jury’s overall feeling/connection: Individual feeling of each jury member with the topic/theme
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Harmony: Harmony between Aufguss Masters despite possible differences between them (e.g. waving skills
Synchronisation: Sychronisation in parts of the show: waving techniques, Aufguss, other activities
Interaction: Smooth transfer of the towel in addition to throws. Handing over towel, handing over props
According to the official Aufguss WM rules.
International jury and Aufguss champions supporting UK Aufguss
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Jury: Martijn Vanhoorelbeke
Jury President, Aufguss WM
Belgium
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Jury: Lay Pang Ong
Danish National Champion
Jury Member, Aufguss WM -
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Jury: Christina Boring
Jury, Aufguss WM
Denmark
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Jury: Heonsok Kim
Jury, Aufguss WM
Japan
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Eliška Blažková
Czech National Champion, Team & Single
2nd place Team, Aufguss WM 2022 -
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Róbert Židek
Czech National Aufguss Champion 2019, Team
Single Champion, Aufguss WM 2021
Show Aufguss brings theatre to the sauna experience
Aufguss means ‘infusion’. Rituals are scheduled at an allotted time in a sauna, and performed by a trained sauna master. Over the course of 10-15 minutes, different scents erupt from the sauna stones. The resulting steam is captured by a towel or fan wafted by the sauna master and its heat delivered - caressingly or shockingly - over the bathers on the surrounding benches. As the steam condenses on the skin, it gives bathers a quick but pleasurable burning sensation. The heat builds throughout the performance for a wellness experience that is as electrifying as it is relaxing.
On the continent where the World Championships have been enjoyed for over a decade, some performance saunas have been built to accommodate up to 200 bathers. Rebelling against a trend for wellness experiences that are individual or private, Aufguss revives a past where the sensorial and social are combined for healing and wellbeing.
For an experience usually associated with relaxation, themes in performance Aufguss can be surprisingly heavy-hitting. Last years’ winners at the World Championships in the Netherlands regaled bathers with a tale of a pregnant woman rejected by the father of her child. Another conveyed a man accused and sentenced for a murder he’s innocent of. Another conveyed the architectural wonder of Florence, Italy.
How do I find out more about Show Aufguss?
Fundamental Elements of Show Aufguss
Deborah Carr in conversation with Lay Pang Ong
A perfect introduction and overview for any Aufguss Master considering competing. All aspects of creating that special moment are discussed, from choosing a theme and storytelling, to towel techniques, music, aroma and much more.
Developing your Aufguss
Deborah Carr in conversation with professional Aufguss Masters Lay Pang Ong, Kim Pedersen and Cosmin Ciric
In this second session, key elements of the Aufguss show are discussed in more detail: choosing essential oils authentic to the theme, aspects of the judging criteria and developing advanced towel techniques.
The Finishing Touches
Deborah Carr in conversation with Lay Pang Ong
With just 6 weeks to the competition, this final session will discuss how to prepare in the final days, the competition schedule and what to expect on the day. A perfect opportunity for Aufguss Masters to ask any final questions as the excitement starts to build. Pang will be on hand to advise, guide and inspire.
How to design a perfect event sauna
Don Genders, Deborah Carr, Lasse Erikson & Wendy Liu
Learn about the principles behind designing saunas that are optimal for Aufguss experiences. An unmissable masterclass for any sauna or spa operator or enthusiast who wants to level up about purpose-built ‘event saunas’ or ‘sauna theatres’.
Partners & Sponsors
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![Finnmark Sauna]()
Principal Sponsor. Finnmark Sauna are UK-based authentic sauna specialists. We tailor our service to your specific needs, ensuring no matter what your tastes, you’re enjoying your truly Authentic Sauna Experience. We design and build high-quality bespoke indoor and outdoor saunas and provide a range of modular saunas and materials you would require for a self-build project. We also regularly blog, vlog, host a podcast and offern Continuing Professional Development (CPD) for all RIBA Chartered Members in the UK.
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The British Sauna Society has supported Aufguss Team UK in its development of a British Team and its journey from UK Championships to the Aufguss WM international finals.
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Situated in one of London’s most vibrant and dynamic districts, Arc is a brand new state-of-the-art wellness venue. With world-class facilities, including a modern 65-person Aufguss sauna, advanced sound and lighting systems, 8 Brass Monkey ice baths, and spacious performance areas, Arc is designed to elevate both participant and spectator experiences, while fostering deeper connection, merging community based wellness practices with an evidence-based approach.
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Aufguss WM is the global governing body of the Performance Aufguss competition. They set the rules for the competition, the judging criteria, and provide the jury who join the national competitions.
