More people than ever are taking the plunge and going wild swimming. There’s also an increase in beach and lakeside saunas appearing as people seek to maximise the revitalising benefits of both hot and cold water. But what happens when there is no sauna? Thankfully, Ford Pro has the answer: Introducing the Ford E-Transit Sauna Van.

Created by Ford Pro’s Special Vehicle Team, a group of specialists who build bespoke vehicle conversions for Ford’s fleet customers, the ‘E-Sauna’ is an all-electric Ford E-Transit panel van with its cargo area fully converted to a custom in-built sauna. The sauna is powered by the E-Transit’s built-in power supply, Pro Power Onboard, meaning it can go just about anywhere.

Better still, the E-Transit’s range of up to 196 miles means that it could make a return trip from the UK’s furthest point from the sea – Coton in the Elms in Derbyshire, a mere 70 miles to the coast – without having to recharge, and without any requirements to hook up to an external power supply when it gets there.

Ford Pro knows a thing or two about conversions, too, with a network of more than 200 partners signed up to its Converter Programme, but its in-house team of experts were the perfect team to build this truly unique Transit.

So, what did people at Longside Lake in Surrey, UK make of it?

Georgia Milgrave has been a regular there for the last few years. Doing a lot of weightlifting, she finds the recovery benefits of the cold water helpful but also appreciates the mental benefits; “It’s just you, a bit of nature, very calm and chilling.”

She also takes advantage of saunas wherever possible at swimming venues, valuing the meditative elements of the warm spaces. Seeing the sauna van for the first time, she said: “Sometimes you go somewhere and it would be really nice to have that paired up with it. The mobile element would be really helpful.”

Triathlon enthusiast, Alison Beck has first-hand experience of the benefits of a post-swim sauna. “I suffered a knee injury, but after a session in the cold water and the sauna I saw an immediate improvement. You can see significant benefits as well to your blood pressure, cardiovascular system, and general health and wellbeing.”

Waterskier Dush Lukic also saw the advantages. “I think it is a great idea and if you can get it to the lakes where they don’t have a natural facility, I think it will be a ‘wow’.”

“For the swimmers and the skiers who are skiing in zero temperatures, or low single digit temperatures and the water is still six to eight degrees, it carries fantastic benefits.”

Ellie Mullins who runs the Longside Lake has her own take on the benefits of wild swimming. “It’s a really cool idea. Somebody said it would be cool to have it at a festival or something, or even just rock up to more remote beaches.”

But what if you’re a novice wild swimmer and want to take a dip? Gervene Rowe and Jake Lindsay had almost no experience of wild swimming but were there having tried both the lake and the Sauna Van for the first time. “It was amazing. Cold, but only for about thirty seconds, then you acclimatize to it quick, quick, quick,” says Jake.

And despite it being sunny, the air is a little chilly, yet that just makes the Sauna Van more appreciated. “If anything it’s best that we came on a day like this because we get to appreciate it more, we get the full body experience,” says Gervene.

So, if you’re ready for a cool dip, and the opportunity to get warm after, then keep your eyes peeled. The Ford E-Transit Sauna Van might be there waiting to warm you up again.