So, what’s your name and where are you from?
Simon, I am from Northern England, a little town called Garstang near Preston
How long have you been at Outdoor Interlaken?
Three summer seasons now
Where do you call home these days?
Right now it is Interlaken; otherwise it is wherever my toys are. Oh, not sex toys - I mean my kayak, bike and skis!
Where else have you worked in the last five years?
Laax and Zermatt in Switzerland, Nepal, US - California, New Zealand, Scotland
What languages do you speak?
Northern English, terrible German
How did you become a guide?
Obsession with water I would say... and I didn’t want to have the normal Monday-Friday job.
What is the worst job you ever had and how long did you stick it out?
Giving Information in a ski resort was probably the worst one. I had to answer the same questions every day for the whole season. Luckily I didn’t have to wear a penguin costume...
What are your top three holiday destinations and why?
Here. No kidding. Every day is a holiday!
What, in your opinion, is so special about Interlaken?
It has got everything - mountains, lakes, rivers and cool folks.
Apart from working for Outdoor Interlaken, what is your favourite thing to do in Switzerland?
Eating cheeeeeeese!
Have you ever had someone famous on your trip?
Australian rugby team. I would like to take Princess Catherine Middleton on my trip. She’s pretty and she is a Princess!
What is the highest competition award you have to your name?
I remember winning “The under 14 kayaking championship” competition in my village. I was a pretty big deal around town for the next couple of days 🙂
What is the most memorable expedition you have made?
Kayaking trip in California on a river which had 44 waterfalls each around 40ft. high.
What do you love most about your job?
The attractive front desk chick in our base... Noooo, don’t write that, my girlfriend will kill me!!! I like the cool people here - colleagues and clients.
What’s the longest period you’ve been without a shower?
Weeks! The river is my bathroom.
Thanks for your time, what are you off to do now?
It is sunny and warm today and I am guiding a Canyoning trip soon - sweet high water in Saxeten.
So, what’s your name and where are you from?
Santiago from Cusco Peru
How long have you been working at Outdoor Interlaken?
3 summers so far
Where do you call home these days?
I work in many different places like Chile, Argentina and Switzerland. Right now home is Interlaken for a few months.
Where else have you worked in the past?
Canada, Peru, Chile, Argentina, Ecuador, Switzerland.
What languages do you speak?
Spanish and English (better after a few beers)
How did you become a guide?
I started working for a rafting company in Peru fixing boats and slowly started to get into guiding. After six weeks I was full time on the river but I can still fix a boat if you need!
What is the worst job you ever had and how long did you stick it out?
I worked in a shop selling electrical supplies like cables. I hated it, only lasted 2 months. Terrible job.
What are your top 3 holiday destinations and why?
I've never been on holiday, I just work! I want to go to Africa soon.
What, in your opinion, is so special about Interlaken?
Switzerland is beautiful, the people are nice, and I work in an awesome team with a lot of experience.
Apart from working for Outdoor Interlaken, what is your favourite thing to do in Switzerland?
Biking, hiking, kayaking, and the parties are good too!
Have you ever had someone famous on your trip?
I had Cameron Diaz on a trip once. She was happy and beautiful!
What is the highest competition award you have to your name?
I just won 1st place in the Futafest 2012 Downriver Race on the Futaleufu (big smile)!
What is the most memorable expedition you have made?
That’s a good question! In 2007 I rafted the lower section of the Apurimac river in Peru, six days class 5 rapids, big water. On the 4th day the boat flipped in a big hole and we all swam. It was a big adventure!
What do you love most about your job?
I just like everything, and I love rafting!
Whats the longest period you’ve been without a shower?
Probably 9 days on a jungle river trip in Peru.
Thanks for your time, what are you off to do now?
I’m going home to eat and then sleep like a baby!
