Aug. 21, 2024

A new business offering pop-up sauna and cold-plunge sessions will hold its first event this weekend in downtown Sioux Falls.

Dakota Sauna Co. was founded by husband-and-wife team Nick and Haley Rapisarda, and Haley’s siblings Parker, Tres and Logan Jones.

The Rapisardas were exposed to “sauna culture” living in the Twin Cities and were inspired to expand it to Sioux Falls, Haley said.

“We were part of a sauna, cold-plunge membership spot … and we were like, ‘Sioux Falls needs one of these.’ We think it would be really great for the community,” she said.

“It’s that community sauna feel and naturally is a tech-free space, so people are having genuine connection and conversations, as well as getting the health and cognitive benefits of sauna and cold plunge.”

While they might open a standalone location at some point, Dakota Sauna Co. is launching with a pop-up event Friday and Saturday at Remedy Brewing Co. at 8th & Railroad Center.

An example of a pop-up sauna and cold plunge in Minnesota

Up to 10 people can reserve hourly slots per sauna starting at 4 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. Saturday. The traditional experience is to spend five to 15 minutes in the sauna, then do a cold plunge for 30 seconds up to a few minutes and then repeat.

“It’s that cycle — that rotation — that gives a lot of health benefits and anti-inflammatory benefits and cognitive benefits,” Haley said.

The hot and cold therapy also has circulatory and heart-related benefits and can reduce issues such as high blood pressure, Nick said.

“It’s beneficial for athletes and also people who are trying to build muscle and things of that nature,” he said.

“There’s ways to sauna to increase your naturally produced human growth hormone that helps you recover faster from injury, so there seems to be a ton of health benefits.”

An example of a pop-up sauna and cold plunge in Minnesota

Because it’s being held at a brewery, the idea is to have a beverage after you sauna or meet up with others there, Haley said.

“It’s a social space that allows for connection,” she said. “It’s more about the Sioux Falls community and getting connected and partnered with people excited about sauna and cold plunge.”

Workout clothes or swimwear tend to be the best apparel for the event, she said.

Click here to sign up for a session.

Dakota Sauna Co. also has been reaching out to other locations that could serve as pop-up spots.

“The big benefit of these pop-ups is to test the market and educate people in Sioux Falls about year-round sauna benefits,” Haley said.

“You see more people doing it in the winter because you crave the warmth. But a lot of the health benefits are from regular sauna exposure, so that’s why we chose to do this in August. Wherever makes sense, we’re open to bringing that sauna culture and experience around Sioux Falls.”