Fall is in the air and with it comes cooler lake temperatures. If the polar bear dip isn’t quite your forte, Loyly offers a cold plunge and sauna experience right here on Okanagan lake starting in mid October. I tried it for the first time last year and it was hands down the best way to start my day!
What to Expect
Located downtown Kelowna at the marina, with plenty of paid parking available. You must book ahead of time online to reserve your spot. You can book a community session with other people, or rent it out for a private session with up to 7 people. They supply change rooms and cold water, but bathrooms must be sought out off site. Once your group has arrived you start off in the sauna to bring up your internal temperature. You can ask them to add essential oils to the steam for added benefits! You also have the ability to turn up the heat by pouring extra water on the hot rocks at any point during your cycles.
After 15 minutes you can then brave the cold lake waters and put your body to the test. Some go for a quick dip, while others take a seat and try to relax. The view is absolutely stunning which helps pass the time! Expect to be feeling relaxed and accomplished at the end of your hour session.
My Experience
I had never done a cold plunge before. I went in feeling anxious, thinking about what could happen if my body went into shock front he cold. Once in the sauna those feelings quickly disappeared as we cranked up the heat and started counting down the minutes. I was sweating and yearning for the cold by the time the 15 minutes were up!
Then came the cold.
I got in wanting to cool down, and instantly came back out. I think I was in for a total of 8 seconds while almost push mingy friend out of my escape route. I ran back to the sauna to defrost and get ready to try again. This time I only stayed in for ten minutes, determined to beat my sad record. With each cycle I noticed my body could endure the cold for longer periods and my mind wasn’t racing as fast as it was at the beginning.
I started to relax.
I had worked my way up from 8 seconds to a full minute by my last cycle. I started to breathe calmly and enjoy the sun on my face and the mountains around me. The last cycle ends on the plunge and you leave feeling relaxed and renewed.
My Final Thoughts
A MUST TRY. I absolutely enjoyed every minute of my experience in the cold plunge and sauna. The area is clean and private, allowing you to escape the hustle and bustle of the city. Everyone saw improvement from their first plunge to their last. I loved that feeling of accomplishment when leaving. The cold was really a test of mental strength with some of the group staying in there for over 3 minutes. We went in the morning which made for the perfect wake-me-up, but I think going right at sunrise or sunset would also be quite enjoyable.
Have you guys tried taking the plunge yet? Let me know what you think!
As always, I hope you have the best time Discovering Kelowna 🏔️
