Last year, something incredible happened.
At Nordik Spa Village in Chelsea, Quebec, a competition was held. Ritual Artisans from Winnipeg, Whitby and Chelsea came together for a special Aufguss event that would mark Canada’s official welcome into the international Aufguss world.
The winners of that competition? Brothers Xavier and Zacharie Drouin-Hill. Their performance—a Quebec-inspired show Aufguss filled with sugar shack nostalgia and synchronized sauna storytelling—earned them the honour of representing Canada at the Aufguss World Masters’ welcome ceremony in the Netherlands.
Now, with the first-ever National Sauna Performance Championship in Canada on the horizon—Aufgusshow 2025—we’re looking back on that unforgettable debut on the world stage.
“We really immersed ourselves in the European sauna culture,” the brothers said in an interview following their return. “The whole experience was amazing. We learned so much.”
The welcome ceremony in the Netherlands wasn’t just a performance. It was a moment. A crowd of over 160 people clapped, danced and cheered as Xavier and Zacharie introduced Canada to the Aufguss World Masters stage.
“The energy in the sauna was electric,” they said. “It’s like feeding off the crowd. We had a confidence and poise we’ve never felt before.”
Performing was one thing. But connecting with others who share the same passion? That’s what made the trip unforgettable.
“We met so many incredible people—Thor from Austria, Alonzo from the States, Karl from Estonia, and Alex from Belgium. We felt right at home surrounded by others who love this as much as we do.”
They even sparked curiosity from seasoned masters. “One even asked about our scent blend. People seemed really intrigued by what Canada could bring to the WM in the years ahead.”
Beyond memories and new friendships, the brothers returned with fresh ideas and deeper inspiration.
“We came back with a new hunger—not just to improve technically, but to enhance our storytelling and immersion,” they said. “These performances are like theatre in a sauna. There’s narrative, costumes, staging, creative infusion techniques, even smokes and resins like frankincense. We’re excited to explore all of that.”
And the best part? They’re not keeping it to themselves.
“We can’t wait to share our new show Aufguss with Canada at the 2025 Championship!”
Martin Paquette, who created the Spa Village experience 20 years ago, was there for both the 2024 Canadian competition and the welcome event in the Netherlands.
“The event was incredibly well organized, and I loved the camaraderie among the Ritual Artisans,” he said. “We took lots of notes for the national championship in Whitby. But what made me the proudest was seeing Zacharie and Xavier perform. We’ve now officially reached a level where we can compete internationally.”
“This role of Ritual Artisan is still very new here. It didn’t exist before we brought this experience to Canada. I truly believe this will open new doors for young adults looking for meaningful, team-based work, like being part of a sports team, but in a spa setting.”
From June 17 to 19, 2025, 18 Ritual Artisans from across the country will gather at Thermea Spa Village Whitby to compete in Aufgusshow 2025, Canada’s first national sauna performance championship.
The Drouin-Hill brothers will be among them.
At stake? A chance to represent Canada at the Aufguss World Championships in Italy.
And the event is open to the public. Canadian Aufguss history is in the making, will you be there?
At Thermea Spa Village Whitby, every season invites renewal. This fall, that spirit takes form in the kitchen. Executive Chef Stephen Lusby-Blackburn joins the Village, bringing with him years of experience, a love of creativity, and a deep respect for balance in every dish.
As the days grow shorter and a crisp chill creeps into the air, our bodies brace for cold and flu season. We stock up on vitamin C, pull out cozy blankets, and remind ourselves to get enough rest. But there’s one time-honored ritual—steeped in both tradition and science—that might be the missing piece in your winter wellness routine: the Finnish sauna.
As the days grow shorter and a crisp chill creeps into the air, our bodies brace for cold and flu season. We stock up on vitamin C, pull out cozy blankets, and remind ourselves to get enough rest. But there’s one time-honored ritual—steeped in both tradition and science—that might be the missing piece in your winter wellness routine: the Finnish sauna.
