Did you know Thermea Spa Village Whitby is hosting Canada’s first National Sauna Performance Championship? June 17, 18 and 19, Aufgusshow will be taking over the Spa Village. During those three days, 18 show Aufguss will take place in Logga—the largest event sauna in the country—and 20 Aufgussmeister will get to show off their skills to spectators and judges. The ultimate goal? To win and represent Canada on the world stage in Italy.
Out of those 20 Aufgussmeister, 5 are from Chelsea. Let’s meet them before their big day, so we can cheer even louder when their performance comes.
Frédéric Kenney
Tell Us About Yourself
I’ve been doing Aufguss rituals for 2 years now, and it has really helped me in many ways. It pushed me to change some of my habits to healthier ones especially when it comes to food. I also met my second family that I work with, and I appreciate all of them for sharing their knowledge and passion every day in the saunas. It also helped me be more confident with myself, like when I speak in front of many people in the saunas.
How Do You Personalize Your Aufguss?
Aufguss is a beautiful art form, and I love the way we can get so creative with it either by how we wave, the towel tricks we utilize or how it matches with the music we end up choosing for our performances. I like to implement a lot of classic waving in my Aufguss rituals and less tricks so I can get the heat to every single guest!
When to Watch Frédéric’s Performance: June 18 at 9 a.m.
Jad Maalouf
Tell Us About Yourself
I’ve been doing Aufguss for around 8 months, and it has changed my life. I am what people call a “sauna fairy” because I love twirling around in the sauna and projecting my energy onto others. I went from sitting in the sauna, admiring my beautiful colleagues, to having the privilege of participating in this art form, and it has helped me bloom into the person I am today!
What Can We Expect From Your Aufgusshow Performance?
For my ritual, I wanted to create a feeling of nostalgia. Being the youngest in my team, I bring a youthful energy, and Peter Pan was the perfect inspiration for me. The feeling of accepting growth is sometimes very hard and emotional but embracing the beauty of moving forward in life makes it worth it. The help and support I’ve received make me realize how sauna culture works: We spread heat, but we also spread love.
When to Watch Jad’s Performance: June 18 at 10 a.m.
Xavier Drouin-Hill and Zacharie Drouin-Hill
Zacharie, Tell Us About Yourself
I have been performing Aufguss for three years now. I joined Nordik Spa Village’s team during Covid while looking for a new career path. What I didn’t know then is that Aufguss would become my number one passion and that I would eat, sleep and breathe Aufguss. Ever since then bringing joy, heat and connecting with guests has become something I pride myself on.
Xavier, Tell Us About Yourself
I started doing Aufguss in May 2023, after heavy insistence from my brother. He, along with other mentors at Nordik Spa Village, trained and motivated me to learn the art of sauna rituals. I’ve had the pleasure of growing within a team of exceptional people who push me every day. In 2024, I had the privilege, alongside my brother, of attending and performing at the Aufguss World Masters in the Netherlands. I’m excited to be competing against some incredible Aufgussmeister at the first ever Canadian National Championship and watch them showcase their amazing talents!
What Artistic Elements Make Your Show Aufguss Unique?
First and foremost, we are brothers and with that comes a different level of understanding and connection. This show Aufguss has very much been a team effort in its conception, and we can’t wait to showcase something that we have poured our heart and soul into. Aufguss is all about bonding, sharing and connecting with people with the same passion as you.
When to Watch Xavier and Zacharie’s Performance: June 18 at 2 p.m.
Kaitlyn Rathwell, PhD.
Tell Us About Yourself
I have been developing my Aufguss artistry for two years while working part-time at Nordik Spa Village Chelsea. I’m a social scientist, expert advisor, consultant, and facilitator. I infuse my creativity into my projects, facilitation and Aufguss work. I use metaphors and artistic practice to support collaborative processes and knowledge sharing in a holistic and poetic ways.
What Does the Aufguss Community Mean to You?
To me Aufguss is connection: It is a sacred space to connect with body, mind, and spirit. Aufguss connects us directly to nature’s elements: earth, air, fire, water, ether—and I have the privilege of being the alchemist! Aufguss is also a place to connect authentically with others through our shared sensory experiences. It is always a pleasure to create meaningful connections with guests, after an Aufguss this feels like energetic magic! To me, Aufguss allows us to reconnect us to ourselves, nature and each other; helping us nurture and grow a healthier collective future together.
When to Watch Kaitlyn’s Performance: June 19 at 12 p.m.
