Adventure in the Blood

Let’s Go interviewed Beat Schwiezzer, an Interlaken, Switzerland, native and Founder of Skydive Interlaken, and Andrew Pfeiffer, tandem skydive instructor from Australia.

LG: Which sex jumps more frequently, male or female?

A: Among the locals, we mostly get big athletic males jumping. Among tourists in Switzerland our clientele is equal, maybe slightly more female.

LG: How dangerous is skydiving?

A: Tandem skydiving is actually quite safe. Skydiving starts to get dangerous when people jump by themselves and freefall for too long. More recently, skydiving has gotten even safer due to improved technology. We use the same parachutes as NASA, which have to be recycled every few years.

LG: Are there jumping age limits?

B: The lower limit is 16 for us. We don’t have any upper limit though. We have this one 88 year old who comes and jumps every year.

LG: So basically, you get paid to jump out of airplanes all day. Sweet job. Your favorite part?

A: Obviously I love the jumping part—this is the best place to skydive in the world. With the helicopter, we get to jump right next to the mountains, and as you fall you get an amazing view of the two Swiss lakes, turquoise Thunersee and blue Brienzersee. But it’s really wonderful to help people experience something so new and exciting.

B: So, are you ready to jump?!?

LG: Yes! Let’s Go!!!