Zoe Lake wants Milwaukeeans to enjoy the lakefront in the wintertime as much as we do in the summer months. Thus, Lake launched a new business called Kiln that will bring a “floating sauna” to Discovery World’s dock in Lake Michigan.
“People are looking for activities to do in winter, and ways to build community, and I'd like Kiln to be a space where that can happen,” says Lake.
Kiln will provide sauna and natural cold plunge sessions for individuals and groups up to ten. The sessions will include towels and aromatherapy with a guide to lead people through the hot room /cold plunge cycle on the boat.
Kiln will launch the first week in November and sessions will be reserved on the website.
“I was lucky to find an amazing partner in Discovery World. They understood and supported my vision, and we couldn't be more excited to share such an iconic dock space Downtown,” says Lake.
The boat is in the process of being made by Wisconsin-based builders Flagship Pontoons and Viking Floating Sauna in Owen, Wis. which is 3 1/2 hours northwest of Milwaukee.
The 35-foot boat is Coast Guard and ADA compliant.
“Safety is our top priority,” says Lake.
The sauna will feature a “hot room” with an electric and propane stove. The plunge area will have de-icers so the water doesn’t freeze over. There is also a seating area on the deck with a propane fire pit.
Lake started cold plunging in Lake Michigan with her brother last winter.
“We became obsessed. The focus it takes to stay in the water, and the rush you feel when you get out was really intoxicating,” says Lake.
Later in the winter, Lake took a trip to Norway to visit family and was inspired by the way Norwegians embrace and celebrate winter.
“It's a really special culture. I visited several of the country's popular floating saunas while I was there, and I was just blown away,” says Lake. “The experience was fun, grounding, communal and relaxing. Immediately, I was like, ‘how do I bring this back home?’”
Lake grew up in Milwaukee, then spent a decade producing network television in New York City. After deciding it was time for a major life change, Lake returned to the Midwest with the dream of bringing a floating sauna to Milwaukee’s Lake Michigan.
“Milwaukee is the perfect location because we have similarly long dark winters (like Norway), and ample shoreline,” says Lake. “I hope we can encourage the Milwaukee community to embrace wintering and find joy in those long dark months.”
For more information, pricing and (soon) reservations, go to Kiln's website. Follow Kiln on Instagram.
Molly Snyder started writing and publishing her work at the age 10, when her community newspaper printed her poem, "The Unicorn.” Since then, she's expanded beyond the subject of mythical creatures and written in many different mediums but, nearest and dearest to her heart, thousands of articles for OnMilwaukee.
Molly is a regular contributor to FOX6 News and numerous radio stations as well as the co-host of "Dandelions: A Podcast For Women.” She's received five Milwaukee Press Club Awards, served as the Pfister Narrator and is the Wisconsin State Fair’s Celebrity Cream Puff Eating Champion of 2019.
