We’re pumped to have Peer Schnyder join the Harlem Family! A rising force in Hydrofoil Big Air, Peer has already earned podium spots on the European and World Tour stages and is known for his fearless riding, technical precision, and relentless drive. With his Thrive and Peak setup, he’s chasing big heights and even bigger goals—get to know Peer in the interview below.
Name: Peer Schnyder
Discipline: Hydrofoil Big Air
Date of Birth: 23.12.1998
Where are you from originally? Switzerland
Where are you currently based? Switzerland, Zug
How did you first get into kiting and then into foiling?
When I was 8 years old, I regularly went to the Engadin with my parents. We spent the summer with my godmother in Silvaplana and saw kitesurfers there for the first time. As I spent a lot of time skiing with my dad in winter, we tried snowkiting and then found out what it was like on the water. Unfortunately, you had to be at least 14 years old to do it, so I had to be patient. When I finally did my first intensive course, I was hooked straight away. From then on, my parents were my supporters on land and I was on the water several times a year - initially with my parents as chauffeurs, later on I was on the road alone with my own small scooter and all the kite equipment. A new chapter began when I turned 18, when I got my first car.
After finding out that Hydrofoiling is practical from the point of view that you don't need much wind to be able to train well I completely fell in love with it. We do have wind in Switzerland and lots of lakes, but we don't have the same reliable strong wind as in Brazil, for example. By switching from the twintip to the hydrofoil, I was able to almost triple my water time. From 10 knots we can already train fully and also learn new tricks. That's incredible. What's more, the feeling of foiling is incredible: floating above the water, not constantly having spray in your face like when twintipping, you can simply cut through choppy water. It's also a precision sport that requires more finesse and technique than riding a twintip.
What would you say are your biggest achievements so far?
- 3rd place European Championship 2024 Hydrofoil Big Air
- 4th place Hydrofoil Big Air World Tour 2024
- 2nd place Swiss Hydrofoil Freestyle Championships 2023
Why Harlem? What made you want to join the Harlem Family?
It was definitively not only one thing, what flashed completely from the beginning was the extremity these kites have, the power, the colour, the smooth feeling on the bar, combined with the fast turning speed of the kite – from this moment on I knew that this would be the Brand for me. Combined with its relaxed vibes from team riders and the complete family behind the brand, the brand itself is definitively a game changer and will earn popularity day by day. You can really feel this vibe on social media, during sessions but also beside the water. Love to see what’s coming next!
What’s your current Harlem gear setup – and what do you love about it?
Currently it’s the 5, 6, 9 and 12m Harlem Thrive and the 7m Harlem Peak.
Why this quiver: Because the Thrive does work really good in lighter winds, boosts you up like crazy as well in strong winds and with its super-fast touring speed it is the machine for double loops, S-Loops and super-fast single loops.
When it comes to the Peak it is all about hight and single loops – my choice of kites when water flies over the lake or when you get sandblasted on the beach!
What are your goals or dreams for the future in the sport?
My dream is definitely to earn a podium place on one of the next Hydrofoil Big Air World Tour Stop’s or on the World Tour itself. My focus beside the competitions – definitively jump over 30 Meter with my Hydrofoil and maybe be able to jump another Swiss All-time Record with the Harlem Peak.
Photo: Robert Hajduk
All-time favourite kite spot: South Of France – Le Barcares, Leucate
Who or what inspires you most – in and out of kiting? Beside the water my whole family and also Andrea, my girlfriend - they are my backbone for everything – not all the time visible but their pride in me is huge! And for sure on the water it is Andrea as well – to become a doctor, she needs to study 10-12 hours and then she is still able to find some slots for sessions and kite trips and perform on this high level – wow!
You and Andrea make quite the duo. How is it riding, training and travelling together? During the past years it has started to become a “must”. We share nearly every moment on the water, talk, laugh and yes sometimes shout to each other on the water to give the best possible support and training effect we can get. Andrea is also my camera lady, I am her cameraman so we complete each other wherever we can!
I guess this exactly the point why we love what we do – TOGETHER.
Do you push each other or balance each other out on the water? All the time, we talk to each other on the water really often and asking each other questions for example if the trick look stylish or what I need to do to land it next time or to avoid doing the same mistake again and again.
Best memory you've shared on the water together? There are so many, one of my favourite one was definitely when Andrea landed her first Kiteloop with the Hydrofoil – I guess it was a world’s first proper female kiteloop!
Describe yourself in 3 words: daredevil, ambitious, chilled
Describe Andrea in 3 words: smart, ambitious, sexy
Tell us one fun or surprising fact about you: I definitively have two left feet when it comes to football. I am not able to kick a football straight :-P
Follow Peer on Instagram here.
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