The heat is peaking: the 10th Sauna World Championship (August 2008)

August 1-2 of 2008 are the dates for the 10th World Sauna Championships at Heinola. It's a unique event - the quirkyness of the nordic culture that pushes people from many parts of the world (last year, there were 101 men and women participating from 17 countries) to have a sweating competition in a sauna to the brink of what's healthy and beyond.

The competition series started with a group of men having unofficial sauna competitions in a public sauna at a swimming hall. A natural progression that can be seen throughout the history of man - to see who is the best. It did not go down well with the other visitors of the sauna, so an official event was set up and has enjoyed a nice string of successes from then.

It has grown significantly over the years and has even prompted the first ever marriage in a sauna as part of its events (during the competitions of year 2000). The media frenzy around the event has also grown over the years - there have been tens of reporters from many countries on site, television coverage, live commentators etcetera.

The competition of 2008 will be held again in Heinola - the place where it all started. Check out videos from previous years competitions (Augusts hottest event) or the results of the 2007 competition. Stay tuned and check for more information and participation information on the website of SaunaHeinola.