published24. August 2022, 17:13
Cliff DivingA somersault from 21 meters at the age of 78 – this pensioner is a legend
Peter Rüedi has been jumping into the water from great heights for more than 40 years. The 78-year-old is far from thinking regarding retiring. 20 minutes hit the pioneer.
“When you’re old, I’m an old man, you have to be ready,” says Peter Rüedi to 20 minutes.
20min / Taddeo Cerletti
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Peter Rüedi has been practicing cliff jumping as a hobby for more than 40 years.
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To this day, the 78-year-old jumps into the water from more than 20 meters.
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Rüedi talks regarding the beginnings, his passion and his life.
At Lake Uri, Peter Rüedi awaits us barefoot on a bench right by the lake. It’s a beautiful, warm day and only a few clouds can be seen in the sky. After a short boat ride we arrive at «Peters-Dive». A rock that protrudes vertically out of the water, with jump platforms mounted at several heights.
This spot is named following Rüedi because he is considered a pioneer of cliff jumping in Switzerland. In the scene, he is referred to as a legend. “It makes me proud, but I don’t like to talk regarding it.” Rüedi’s eyes shine when he talks regarding his passion. Then the 78-year-old says to 20 minutes: “I don’t really like talking regarding myself.” He has a lot to tell though.
He does cliff diving.
20min / Taddeo Cerletti
It was never enough for Rüedi to have a world career as a cliff diver. He simply lacked the talent, he says without a trace of bitterness.
20min / Taddeo Cerletti
Flying as a passion
Around 40 years ago, he and a few friends founded the first water jump club in Switzerland. But they had financial difficulties: “We thought if we performed our tricks, we might make money.” The problem was that they didn’t even master these jumps at first. At a quarry pond between Zurich and Winterthur, they gradually taught themselves how to do it.
Rüedi never had enough for a world career as a cliff diver. He simply lacked the talent, he says without a trace of bitterness. “I also had such a great life,” said the pensioner. Of course there are things that he would do differently today, but we have to pay attention to the future. And that’s why he sees no reason to stop jumping anytime soon. “After a successful jump you feel happy. And also a certain kind of self-affirmation. » It is also worth doing gymnastics or strength training every now and then in the morning. Rüedi laughs.
Rüedi sees a lot in common with his former job as a Swissair airline pilot. “You can’t afford to make any major mistakes when jumping or in the air,” said the pioneer in a serious voice. He is a very cautious person, something that has benefited him in flying – be it off the rocks, but also in the plane. Flying is a fascination for him, but unfortunately he mightn’t pass it on. None of his two children or eight grandchildren are flying. «You know regarding my passion. But who knows, with eight grandchildren you still have the chance of an heir.” But before that happens, Rüedi takes action himself.
On September 10th and 11th, 2022, the Red Bull Cliff Diving Series will return to Sisikon following four years. Peter Rüedi will also be there – as a spectator.
20min / Taddeo Cerletti
Somersault from 21 meters
Rüedi warms up before his first jump from a height of 17 meters. A few activation and stretching exercises to get the body ready for the fast but heavy load. “If you’re not fit enough for jumps from these heights, you’ll notice it immediately,” says Rüedi, who is in top form. In order to get to the jumping platform, you need to have surefootedness and not be afraid. You can shimmy down from the forest path to the jump on a rope. For many people that would already be a problem at this altitude, Rüedi just shrugs his shoulders.
“I’m not afraid, but I have a healthy respect.” In his mind’s eye he goes through the jump before he jumps. Rüedi calls it a simple jump. Somersault backwards, body completely under control, finally feet first into the water. Back in the boat, Rüedi is dissatisfied with his performance, “I was a little weird.” Unrecognizable to laypeople on the ship. After two more jumps from 17 meters, Rüedi climbs up the forest path a fourth time. This time he will throw himself from 21 meters.
Also with this jump, Rüedi resorts to the backflip. The jump succeeds, the 78-year-old dives out of the turquoise water with his index finger outstretched. “This is how I show that everything is fine with me,” he explains. After four jumps it’s over. On the way back to the boat landing site, the pensioner tells how he helped popularize the sport in Switzerland.
The stars come to Sisikon
On September 10th and 11th, 2022, the Red Bull Cliff Diving Series will take place for the fourth time in Sisikon in the canton of Uri. This weekend, not far from the Tellsplatte, the world’s best cliff jumpers plunge into Lake Lucerne from a height of up to 27 meters with spectacular jumps. Tickets and more information are available at Redbull.com/cliffdivingsisikon.
The biggest cliff diving event is just around the corner
Around 25 years ago, organizers were interested in holding a cliff diving event in Switzerland. The right sponsor was found in Red Bull, and now an expert was needed. After the first event in Ticino, the current location in Sisikon was found following a tip from Rüedi. This year is the fourth edition of the Red Bull Cliff Diving on Lake Lucerne.
If Rüedi had had his way, there would have been a change. He had advocated a maximum height of 25 instead of 27 meters. “The difference that these few meters make is unimaginable,” Rüedi explains his wish. When he sees the athletes in their tight swimming trunks, he feels respect. The swimming trunks are worn like this for safety reasons. If you jump from a great height with normal swimming trunks, you run the risk of injury. “The trouser legs fill with air when you dive in and become a kind of parachute.” According to Rüedi, it can range from traumatic brain injuries to paraplegia.
Rüedi will also be present at the event on September 10th and 11th in Sisikon. He has no job and is only there as a spectator. “That way I can enjoy the event with friends.” But there will definitely be a jump from the women’s platform, i.e. 20 meters. “I can’t miss something like that,” says Rüedi with a mischievous laugh.