An Interview with Kite Foiler Peer Schnyder

Peer shnyder is Andrea’s boyfriend, together they kite foil in lakes overlooking the Swiss alps and travel the world together. In case you missed it we covered Andrea in our part one of our Kite rider profile.

Interesting enough, neither of them have a surfboard background but they rip their kite foils to the limits!

These two push each other to fly higher and more power each time they go out on the water, focusing on perfecting their craft.

Now, we’ll turn it over to Peer Schnyder, the smooth and steezy Swiss Kite foiler!

What’s your kite background?

Peer Schnyder snow kiting and getting some air. No waves needed!

I’ve never surfed before because we’re landlocked in Switzerland. I only kite foil. It all started with snow kiting with my dad when I was 8 years old. We set up my first kite (soft kite 1.8 sqm) at Passo Del Bernina, a famous swiss alps spot in the beautiful Engadin. I feel like this what helped make my steering smooth when I tried kite foiling for the first time.

We had up to 40 knts and kited over a frozen lake, yes this was a crazy start to my kite foiling career but somehow I managed to keep going and started to have more and more fun up there. 5 years later it was allowed to book some lessons for the first time (minimum age was 13 years for VDWS Licence course). It was the best feeling I ever had, gliding over the water.

Between 13 and 18 years I spent one week a year kitesurfing, so nearly nothing compared to now.

How did you get into foiling?

Peer getting inverted and grabbing the water's surface

When I bought my first car for my 18th birthday everything changed, I nearly used every free second to go on to the water with my twin tip. But there were also down-sides. I spent many hours watching people hydrofoil in 5-10 knots and I thought, why am I standing at the beach and watching them.

A few weeks later I rented my first foil gear and started to practice day by day until I was able to ride up and downwind (took me 4 days)! A new chapter began.

After one year of foiling I met my girlfriend Andrea and managed to persuade her to start hydrofoiling too. So now this is my 3rd season of hydrofoiling.

What are some of your favorite foils?

Armstrong Foils for sure! I do also have an International Sponsoring from this brand – really stiff, light weight, and great performing gear!

What do you look for in a new foil board?

The Board should be super thin so that you can grab it easier during jumps. For me a foilboard should not be too heavy but still very sturdy so that I will not break it into two parts while landing (happened twice already).

Something around one meter “Board-length” is really nice to do hydrofoil freestyle! Check out the new WKT-Board from ArmstrongFoils

Editor’s Note: 1m = 3.2ft for you Americans back home

Do you prefer kite foiling or hydrofoiling?

I only kitefoil. I sold my twin tip so every kite session is a kite foiling session.

Reading any good books/watching anything good?

Not really, I don’t watch TV much or watch Netflix on my computer. I prefer to spend my free time on the water making videos and trying new tricks!

Do you prefer a larger wing or smaller wing?

Peer unboxing his new MA625 and 180 Speed Tailwing from Armstrong Foils.

For sure a smaller one! Especially for jumping it is nearly a must to ride with a small wing to avoid cracking it during the landing. Currently I am riding the HS 625 from ArmstrongFoils

Editors note: Using a smaller wing has a smaller surface area and is more suited for advanced kite riders.

This is why it's important to wear a helmet and impact vest!

What would your advice be to someone learning to foil for the first time?

Please wear good protection when you start with Hydrofoiling. Wearing an impact vest, a helmt The wings are really sharp and you can get hurt your body if you’re not careful.

Take your time – this key to success is to focus and learn the wind.

Do not become upset if it doesn’t come natural! Foiling is hard.

Do you have any sponsors besides Armstrong?

We do have some agreements with our local Kite shop called Andy’s KiteShop the rest is financed by us.

Ever tried riding an e Foil?

Not yet – efoiling it is not allowed in Switzerland.

Coolest place you ever foiled?

Peer riding his kite foil in the beautiful Swiss Alps.

Favorite Spot: Lake Uri or Lake Silvaplana (Switzerland) because the wind there is really constant, and the scenery is beautiful!

But I also like to travel abroad (Egypt, Greece, CaboVerden, Denmark etc.).

Any competitions coming up that you’re excited for?

Peer wearing his helmet (smart) while doing his ninja move.

Can’t wait to take part at the SKA (Swiss Kitesailing Association) Freestyle Swiss Series (Swiss Championships) in June 2023 for the first time. I will ride in the men’s Hydrofoil Freestyle division.

Andrea and I also plan to participate in a future GKA event in Germany.

Last question: What are you working on/most excited to share with your audience?

What I do like the most is to show that all the tricks the riders do on a twin tip, are also possible with a hydrofoil! I’m really into all the kite loop tricks at the moment! I’ve landed my first double kite loops on the foil already!

Be sure to check out more of Peer’s videos on his instagram profile, here.