BY SUZY STUMP for WEEKLY VOLCANO 06/13/25 |
When Leon Sung sat in a wood-fired sauna on a fjord in Norway, he had no idea the sweat on his brow would spark a new life chapter. That trip, a two-year-old memory, planted the seed for Svette Sauna, Tacoma’s newest wellness venture tucked into the natural beauty of Owen Beach.
Opened with the support of Metro Parks Tacoma, Svette offers contrast therapy sessions: a Scandinavian-rooted practice that alternates extreme heat and cold to stimulate body and mind. It’s not just about relaxing—it’s about building community, fostering resilience, and, quite literally, diving into nature.
“Sweating together is more than a tradition—it’s a way of life in many cultures,” Sung explained. “We experienced it in Norway, then traveled to Korea, Japan, and Indonesia, and everywhere we went, communal heat and cold rituals were integral to wellness and connection. We knew we had to bring that home.”
Leon’s “home” is now the Pacific Northwest, where he and his wife—a former corporate marketing director—decided to trade in their careers for something more values-driven. After completing a 10-year stint in the Army, Sung poured his discipline into navigating complex regulations, building Svette’s mobile sauna unit, and designing a user experience that mirrors what he found overseas.
Seattle’s own Bywater Sauna and Von Sauna helped confirm that this idea wasn’t just a personal calling—it was a movement. “We saw others tapping into the same energy,” Sung said. “It felt like a collective remembering of something ancient but essential.”
A session at Svette is not your average spa day. Guests join a 75-minute guided group experience for up to 12 people. The routine is simple but powerful: three to four cycles of high-heat sauna (180–190°F) followed by cold plunges in the 55°F waters of Puget Sound.
“After the first cycle, you feel it—your body wakes up, your stress melts off, and your nervous system resets,” said Sung. “And something special happens in the group dynamic. People arrive quiet and guarded but leave talking, laughing, glowing.”
Science supports the feeling. Long-term studies out of Finland have linked regular sauna use with lowered risk of heart disease, dementia, and even early mortality. On the cold side of the spectrum, plunges trigger a release of dopamine, norepinephrine, and adrenaline—neurochemicals associated with mental clarity, mood regulation, and stress resilience.
But the magic, Sung says, isn’t just chemical. “It’s also social. When you go through that contrast experience together, a little community forms in that short window of time.”
Thanks to the partnership with Parks Tacoma, Svette has a year-round home on the waterfront. The setting couldn’t be more perfect: a quiet curve of shoreline, with open views of Commencement Bay, where the salty breeze adds to the sensory reset.
What sets Svette apart from other mobile saunas is its commitment to honoring the deeper traditions behind the practice. “In Northern Europe, sauna isn’t a luxury—it’s an essential,” Sung said. “It’s about prevention, vitality, and togetherness. That’s what we’re sharing with Tacoma.”
For newcomers curious but unsure, Sung offers reassurance. “You don’t have to be an athlete or a wellness guru. Just show up and be willing to sweat and breathe. Your body already knows what to do.”
More than just a business, Svette is a love letter to community, health, and the wild spirit of the Pacific Northwest. And with every session, a little more of that Scandinavian spark catches fire here at home. Sessions are available year-round at Owen Beach. Visit www.svettetacoma.com or follow them on Instagram at @svette_tacoma.
