About
How it Started
Our founder, Aschel, first discovered the magic of community saunas in Portland, Maine while still in high school. The deep heat, snow angels between rounds, shared laughter, and quiet moments of stillness left her feeling alive and connected — both to herself and the people around her.
From New Zealand to England, Aschel continued seeking out saunas wherever she went, collecting ideas and inspiration along the way. In 2025, she brought her favorite experiences together in her home base of Southern Maine to create Rove Sauna.
About Aschel
Aschel holds a BA in Design from Otago University and a Master’s in Clinical Social Work from the University of New England. Drawing from her background in human-centered design, body image positivity, and somatic-based therapy, she crafted Rove Sauna as a space that nourishes both body and mind.
Beyond the sauna, Aschel is an artist, surfer, traveler, and psychotherapist — blending creativity, nature, and care into everything she does.
Chill Bros Construction Co
Raglan joiner Bela Soriano, artist Rory Blair, and Aschel were surfing, making music, and cooking tacos on the beach when Aschel asked them to help build Rove Sauna. Having already teamed up on her epic van build, she knew she could trust their craftsmanship, creativity, and friendship to bring this dream to life in Maine.
Bela had worked on saunas and built tiny homes on trailers before. Originally from Germany, he brought a deep familiarity with sauna culture and incredibly fine workmanship — from the perfect angle of the backrest to the removable hidden benches — that’s Bela. Rory added his unwavering work ethic and artistic precision — notice how the woodgrain on the backrests flows seamlessly from one wall to the next? That’s Rory.
While the boys worked sixteen-hour days, Aschel handled the design, materials, tiling, and electrical work. Her mom and stepdad housed and fed the crew, affectionately nicknamed “Chill Bros Construction Co.” Meanwhile, friends, family, and neighbors stopped by with advice, snacks, and laughter — the true community effort behind Rove Sauna.
Behind Black Point Surf Shop
Once construction was complete, Rove needed a place to call home. A friend of a friend suggested Black Point Surf Shop — and since Aschel bought one of her very first surfboards there back in 2016, the rest is history.
What better combination than surfing Maine’s chilly oceans and then soaking up bone-deep heat at Rove Sauna? The crew at Black Point Surf Shop know what’s up — and have creatively moved us into the perfect spot out back and helped us carve out a little sanctuary among the trees. We can’t wait to welcome you here!