Our Story
A Simple Ritual. A Powerful Feeling.
It started with a single moment of stillness.
Our founders, Nick and Jess Rastas, didn’t set out to start a business. They were just two people with Nordic roots seeking a quiet escape. On a trip abroad, they stepped into a floating sauna.
Inside, the heat wrapped around them. Outside, the cold lake waited.
After a plunge, they sat on the dock. Breathing, recovering, completely present. In that moment, a profound sense of peace washed over them. They looked at each other and asked the question that started it all:
“Why doesn’t Kelowna have this?”
A Legacy of Heat
When they returned home, they realized this wasn't just a new idea; it was a return to an old one.
Decades ago, Nick’s grandfather was already building portable saunas, sharing the ritual with his own community long before cold plunging was a trend.
For Nick & Jess, Löyly (pronounced low-lou) isn't just a business; it’s a continuation of their family legacy. The passion for design, construction, and bringing people together through heat runs deep in the family DNA.
It was time to bring that legacy to the Okanagan.
Built, Not Bought
Bringing a floating sauna to a Canadian city wasn't easy. The regulatory hurdles were significant, and the approvals were an uphill climb.
But Jess & Nick pushed through. They didn't just envision this experience, they built it.
Jess & Nick — Founders
Jess and Nick are the heart and hands of Löyly. From the original design sketches and the physical construction of the sauna to crafting every detail of the guest experience, they are the creators who turned a wild idea into a physical reality.
The Storytellers
As Löyly grew, the family expanded.
Adam & Jill
Part of the Löyly family since its inception in Kelowna, Adam and Jill are the storytellers. They bring the brand to life online, capturing the visual essence of the ritual and sharing the Löyly story with the world as we expand to Toronto.
Matt
Fellow sauna enthusiast with strong roots in Toronto, Matt provides the strategic drive and relationships needed to share the Löyly feeling with a new city.
From left to right - Jill, Nick, Adam, Jess, Mat
An Alternative to “More”
There are other saunas. There are other cold plunges. But Löyly is different.
We are not a spa.
No robes. No fancy treatments. No bells and whistles.
We are a ritual
Just deep Finnish heat, the scent of essential oils rising from the stones, and the invigorating Canadian cold.
We chose the name "Löyly", the Finnish word for the steam that rises when water hits the hot stones. To us, it means the lingering, euphoric feeling of clarity that stays with you long after you leave.
Feel It For Yourself
“I had so much energy after my session. I felt invincible.”
Maybe you're feeling burnt out and need a hard reset. Maybe you're seeking a moment of real connection, with yourself or with friends. Or maybe your body just needs to *feel* something real.
The “invincible” feeling our guest talks about is more than just the rush. It's the clarity to take on your day, the peace to sleep deeply, and the energy to reconnect with what matters.
Löyly is waiting.