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About Arctic Ape

Arctic Ape™ is a South African longevity brand crafting premium Saunas, Ice Baths, and Contrast Pods. Rooted in design, innovation, and craftsmanship, we transform natural materials into experiences that restore balance, enhance recovery, and elevate everyday living.

Our 
Story

Cold water has a way of telling the truth. It strips everything back. the noise, the distractions, the constant pull in every direction.

While preparing to swim the English Channel in 2023, Craig turned to cold water immersion. Not just to condition his body, but to train his mind. Ice baths became a daily ritual. A place to slow the breath, quiet the chaos, and remain calm in discomfort.

The same discomfort many of us face every day.

Over time, the cold delivered more than physical resilience. It brought focus and clarity. A calm, controlled confidence that carried into work, family, and life. This wasn’t a shortcut or a trendy new “life hack”, but a practice repeated day in and day out. And while it began as mental preparation, an idea quietly took shape alongside it.

Arctic Ape was born together with two friends.

The belief was simple: practices that support long-term health, resilience, and longevity shouldn’t be extreme, exclusive, or out of reach. They should be accessible, well-designed, and able to fit naturally into everyday life.

The journey started with ice baths. Designed and built to be beautiful, durable, functional, and affordable. Products that removed the inconvenience traditionally associated with cold water immersion, and replaced it with something consistent, refined, and beautifully made.

From there, Arctic Apes' focus remained the same: listen, learn, and refine.

After a year of real-world use, it became clear there was a broader market need. People weren’t only looking for cold exposure but also for spaces that supported contrast therapy as a holistic solution for overall health and wellness. Drawing on an extensive background in design and manufacturing, Arctic Ape expanded its offering.

The result was the introduction of the Arctic Ape Sauna range alongside our patent-pending Contrast Therapy Pods. Purpose-built structures where heat and cold work together to support recovery, mental clarity, and, above all else, longevity.

Today, Arctic Ape offers a considerable range of products across different spaces, needs, and price points. Making contrast therapy more accessible without compromising on quality, integrity, or design.

Because health and longevity aren’t built in dramatic moments. They’re built into quiet, daily rituals. Moments to reset. To restore and to reconnect.

Arctic Ape isn’t about pushing harder. It’s about intentional exposure and creating spaces that help you slow down, so you can show up stronger.

MEET THE TEAM

Behind every Arctic Ape™ Sauna and Ice Bath is a dedicated team of designers, builders, and wellness innovators who love what they do. We’re hands-on, detail-obsessed, and committed to delivering an exceptional client experience from first sketch to final installation. Our crew brings craftsmanship, passion, and pride to every project—because we don’t just build products, we build spaces that transform the way you live, recover, and thrive.

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Craig
CEO AND CO-FOUNDER

Craig Nerwich is the CEO, Co- founder of Arctic Ape™ and the driving force behind its commitment to precision, performance, and design excellence. With an extensive background in design and manufacturing spanning over 20 years, Craig brings a deep understanding of how thoughtful design, quality materials, and craftsmanship come together to create products and environments that are both functional and visually compelling. Driven by a passion for human performance and overall wellness, alongside a genuine love for design and building beautiful things, Craig leads Arctic Ape™ with a handson, detail-driven approach and this philosophy is reflected in every sauna and contrast therapy environment the brand creates

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Dan
CFO AND CO-FOUNDER

Dan is the Chief Financial Officer and Co-foudner of Arctic Ape™, responsible for the financial strategy, governance, and operational discipline that support the brand’s growth. A qualified Chartered Accountant, Dan brings a rigorous, analytical approach to financial management, ensuring the business is built on a strong and sustainable foundation. With deep experience in financial planning, risk management, and commercial oversight, Dan plays a key role in translating Arctic Ape™’s creative and design led vision into a scalable, well governed business. His focus on clarity, structure, and long-term value creation enables the company to grow with confidence while maintaining the standards expected of a premium global brand.

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Tyrone
HEAD OF OPERATIONS

Tyrone is the Head of Operations at Arctic Ape™, overseeing all production, logistics, and on-site installations. He is responsible for ensuring that every project is built and handed over with the same level of attention to detail that is put into our designs. With a meticulous approach to planning and execution, Tyrone controls the systems and processes that underpin Arctic Ape™’s reputation for service and reliability. His hands-on approach ensures materials, timelines, and workmanship align seamlessly, allowing each sauna and contrast therapy environment to be executed to perfection. By bridging design intent with real world delivery, Tyrone plays a critical role in turning Arctic Ape™ concepts into finished environments that meet the highest expectations of quality, performance, and finish.

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Kaila
HEAD OF DESIGN

As the Head of Design at Arctic Ape™, Kaila is responsible for bringing the brand’s vision of beautifully crafted saunas and contrast therapy environments to life. Working closely with Craig, she translates concept and intent into refined, functional designs that define the Arctic Ape™ aesthetic and vision. With a strong eye for form, proportion, and materiality, Kaila ensures that every sauna and contrast therapy pod is both visually exciting and functional. Her design leadership is integral to creating environments that feel considered, balanced, and architecturally aligned with the spaces they inhabit. Through close collaboration across design, manufacturing, and installation, Kaila plays a central role in ensuring that Arctic Ape™ products are not only high performing wellness solutions, but also beautiful design statements

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Sonia 
PA & HEAD OF CUSTOMER CARE

Personal Assistant to the Founder & Head of Customer Care Sonia is PA to Co-founder, Craig and the Head of Customer Care at Arctic Ape™. Playing a central role in the day-to-day operations of the business, she works across most aspects of the organisation to ensure seamless coordination and smooth execution. As the primary point of contact for clients, Sonia oversees customer care with a calm, attentive, and solutions-driven approach, ensuring every interaction reflects the professionalism and premium standards of the Arctic Ape™ brand. From internal coordination to client communication and operational support, Sonia’s hands on involvement and attention to detail help with the business running efficiently, allowing projects to move forward with clarity and confidence

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Robert
HEAD CARPENTER

Robert is the Head Carpenter at Arctic Ape™, bringing over 25 years of experience within the team and a deep commitment to craftsmanship. He is responsible for ensuring that every design is executed exactly as intended and helps oversee our full team of carpenters. Working hands-on with production and installation teams on site, Robert leads the physical build of each sauna and contrast therapy structure. His attention to detail, precision joinery, and insistence on quality ensure that materials, finishes, and construction meet the highest standards. As the link between design and reality, Robert plays a critical role in ensuring that what is envisioned from the design team, is built to perfection and true to the Arctic Ape™ standard.

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