The six jumpers selected each year are preserving the town’s history, but most are teens just seeking, as they call it, “a really cool summer job.” Sid Pearl jumps safely back to the boat-but that’s not always what happens. Pearl has fallen in the lake eight times in two years. Sid Pearl, a 17-year-old senior from Park Ridge, Illinois, whose antics had the crowd applauding, just completed his second year of jumping. He never worried much about missing the boat on his jumps he’s a member of the high school swim team. Taking the leap in front of 160 people, however, is a bit more intimidating. “Let’s just say that the first time I jumped, I was way more worried about the jumping than the mail delivery. Even though I made it, the first jump of the day is still always a little nerve-racking.”Įach jumper makes 45 to 60 jumps a day, and any number of obstacles can make the landing and run to the mailbox a challenge. Pearl has fallen eight times, sometimes in ways he never expected. “It was a simpler pier,” he said of one tumble, “but the kids had been swimming so the surface was wet. I hit the pier and slipped, twisting my knee, which slowed me down. When I tried to jump back onto the tail-end of the stern, I missed.” Pearl climbed the swim ladder and waited on the pier for the captain to circle back. “They were absolutely thrilled,” he said, and ever since, Pearl doesn’t get embarrassed if he falls.Īs the boat neared, he heard the spectators cheering.

Yes jumping line matters