Development Bank takes the plunge with sauna by the sea

Wild water enthusiasts and athletes are enjoying the benefits of a new mobile sauna by the sea in Barry that has been part-funded by a micro-loan from the Development Bank of Wales. 

Established by well-being practitioner and cold water enthusiast Kathryn Donovan, Môr a Sawna is the first mobile sauna to be permanently sited in the Vale of Glamorgan. It overlooks the sea at Barry Yacht Club and is available for booking in 55 minute slots. The sauna can hold up to eight people in communal sessions or ten people for private bookings. 

Kathryn said: “I am passionate about mindset and holistic therapies and love cold water dipping. It is so important to look after our minds as well as our bodies and a great way to do this is by alternating between a sauna and cold plunges. The benefits really are profound with many people using the technique to aid relaxation and recovery. 

“I am so excited to now get Môr a Sawna established. I am also  looking forward to introducing new well-being initiatives and workshops that will benefit local people and tourists alike but none of this would have been possible without the support of the Development Bank of Wales. They have been so helpful and enthusiastic; finding solutions rather than barriers to funding and taking the time to help me through the application process.” 

“I must also thank Barry Yacht Club for their help and encouragement. As big supporters of Môr a Sawna, I hope they get to benefit from the extra business.”

Donna Strohmeyer is an Investment Executive with the Development Bank. She said: “From cutting edge tech start-ups to those offering respite from the digital world, our funding helps entrepreneurs to start-up and scale-up businesses throughout Wales. The physical and mental benefits of cold water plunging after a sauna mean that people of all ages are enjoying our great outdoors and beautiful coastline, whatever the weather.  Kathryn certainly has the energy and passion to make Môr a Sawna work and we wish her every success.”

The micro-loan for Môr a Sawna came from the £500 million Wales Flexible Investment Fund. Financed by Welsh Government and the Development Bank of Wales, the fund is for deals between £25,000 and £10 million. Loans, mezzanine finance and equity investments are available with terms of up to 15 years for Welsh businesses.