A cool summer job

Lake Geneva Cruise Line

Nice News - In Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, some teenagers skip the lifeguarding and ice cream shop gigs and opt for a more unique summer job — one that involves leaping off a moving boat to deliver mail. It’s the only town in the U.S. that features this unique occupation, which is a 150-year-old tradition. The role entails making 45 to 60 jumps from the boat to residents’ docks every day, often attracting hundreds of tourists who observe the jumpers’ feats during guided tours.

“We’ll carry anything that the post office gives us and figure out how to get it there,” captain Ray Ames told CNBC — and he means it; they’ve delivered items ranging from flat-screen TVs to heavy umbrella bases. Ames operates the Walworth II, Lake Geneva Cruise Line’s double-decker mail boat.

Every season, six jumpers, usually local teens, are chosen to join the Walworth following a competitive tryout period. The position is seen as one of the most exciting summer jobs in the town, and for many, it’s a memorable and cherished experience. There’s really nothing better,” five-year mail boat jumper Sid Pearl said. The 19-year-old added: “It’s such a fun, special job that I can tell stories about for the rest of my life.”