Lake Geneva's annual mailboat jumper tryouts set for June 11

LAKE GENEVA, Wis. (CBS 58) -- It wouldn't be summer on Lake Geneva without the mail arriving by boat. High school and college students on Thursday, June 11, will try out to earn one of six coveted mailboat jumper jobs up for the season. 

The tradition began in 1916, and continues today with teens who jump from the U.S. Mailboat Walworth to piers to run to mailboxes and back on the boat before it pulls away. 

According to a news release, the U.S. Mailboat Walworth travels at a steady 5 mph, never stopping! Interested applicants are Lake Geneva Cruise Line employees with at least one year work experience with the company.

During tryouts, potential jumpers test their athletic abilities, often ending up in the lake when they don’t get the timing just right. Mailboat jumpers also act as tour guides during the Mailboat Tour, so those trying are also asked to narrate a portion of the historical guided tour for judges to evaluate their speaking and tour guide skills.

Their athletic abilities may be top notch, but if they are not able to narrate a great tour they may not get the job.