Tattoo artist Tim Smithen is just months away from bringing his mobile sauna to the sea, writes Marijke Hall

Tim Smithen - the man behind Steampunk Sauna

Most people will know him as poke tattooing artist Prison Style and owner of BRB studio in Folkestone.

But Tim Smithen is in the process of adding another string to his eclectic bow which, he admits, started out as a mad pipe dream.

Since last year, he has been working behind the scenes to bring a mobile, wood-fired sea sauna to Folkestone’s beachfront.

While the site is still not 100% nailed down - it’s likely to be Mermaid beach but talks with the council are still ongoing - his Steampunk Sauna (@steampunksauna) is expected to be completed in two to three months.

Smithen, who runs BRB Tattoo Studio and Gallery in Tontine Street, says the build - which involves a horse box conversion - is in the capable hands of the “genius” Cedar Sauna Company.

“If Terminator 2 came back as a sauna-maker this would be him,” he says.

But going back to the beginning, it all started with an interesting chat with a sauna enthusiast.

“We agreed Folkestone definitely needed a beachfront sauna for all to use, especially when the growing culture of sea swimming and sauna go hand in hand,” said Smithen.

He admits, however, he is not a sea swimmer himself, but a climber and yogi.

“I had this idea that after a climb, when your muscles are aching, how good it would feel to have a sauna.

“But I knew it would feel the same after you’ve had a sea swim.

“I started looking into the holistic benefits of sauna and had another conversation with a fab chap from Cedar Sauna Company and a plan was born to build a high quality, high spec mobile sauna.

“A beautiful place to relax and recharge with a capacity of 6/7 people and regular daily availability.

“I know there’s a sauna in Margate run by Haeckals, which is for the community.

“This would be the same vibe, although it will be a business, so there will be an online booking system. It will be for the community though and for everyone to enjoy.”

The sauna is likely to be sited on Mermaid beach but is mobile so can be moved around.

Smithen says he’ll likely man it himself once it is open.

The project has been helped with a Crowdfunder which raised £6,500.

“The idea has been really well-received,” he said. “There’s a big sea swimming community here and a lot of people have got behind this.”