I Just Learned That Some Swiss Commuters Literally Jump Into A River And Float To Work, And I'm Amazed

Kelley Greene
·2-min read

Recently, DJ and producer Diplo went viral on TikTok after sharing a video in which he floated down a river in Switzerland along with the Swiss commuters, and it looks incredibly fun.

@diplo / Via tiktok.com

Diplo started off by mentioning he was staying in Basel, Switzerland, where some people often use the river as an option for commuting.

Person leaning on a balcony, looking outward. Text on image reads: "People float to work in Switzerland..."
@diplo / Via tiktok.com

He pointed out some folks floating down the river just outside his hotel.

A hand points across a calm river with a cityscape in the background and text that reads:
A hand points across a calm river with a cityscape in the background and text that reads:
People swimming in a river next to a promenade with buildings and trees, captioned
People swimming in a river next to a promenade with buildings and trees, captioned

@diplo / Via tiktok.com

According to Basel's Tourism Guide, "In summer, the Kleinbasel banks of the Rhine are the place to be! You can put your clothes in a 'Wickelfisch' swim bag and simply float down on the gentle current through the picturesque Old Town."

But Basel is not the only Swiss town that encourages floating down the local river. Le News, a Swiss news outlet, says, "The Aare River runs through Bern, Switzerland’s charming little capital city. During summer, thousands of locals and visitors jump into the Aare’s milky glacial-melt waters... and float down to one of the handy exits marked by red bars you can grab as you float by."

So, Diplo made a plan to give it a try. He said he would "do a 5k, find a dry bag," put his stuff in it, and then "end up back at the hotel."

Person in a "Be a Good Human" cap and "Tibetan" graphic t-shirt gestures while speaking. Text reads: "The plan is to become a local..."
@diplo / Via tiktok.com

Then, Diplo set off on his run.

Man jogging shirtless with a text overlay that reads "Quick 5k..." in a park by a river. Wearing a cap and holding a towel
@diplo / Via tiktok.com

He made a quick pit stop to look at a few people floating down the river, where he planned to be shortly.

View of a river with text overlay:
View of a river with text overlay:
Person swimming in a pool with visible red cap, text overlay reads,
Person swimming in a pool with visible red cap, text overlay reads,

@diplo / Via tiktok.com

He asked some locals where he could find "dry bags to go into the river."

Man with tattoos asking someone by a river where to get bags. Text on image says, "Asking locals where to get the bags..."
@diplo / Via tiktok.com

They directed him to a store he called a "swiss target," where he picked up a Wickelfisch.

Person browsing a store aisle filled with various blue and yellow packaged umbrellas, with text overlay saying
Person browsing a store aisle filled with various blue and yellow packaged umbrellas, with text overlay saying
Person holding a pack of Snøfi snacks in a Swiss store, with text overlay:
Person holding a pack of Snøfi snacks in a Swiss store, with text overlay:

@diplo / Via tiktok.com

Then, he headed off to prepare for his trip down the river (which may or may not have been an excuse to take his shirt off again).

A person is putting on a shirt over their head. The text on the image reads, "Let's do this..."
@diplo / Via tiktok.com

He put his things into the Wickelfisch, which he rolled up tightly to seal.

Shirtless man by river holding a waterproof bag with
Shirtless man by river holding a waterproof bag with
Man by a river inflating a blue float with cartoon print, standing on steps
Man by a river inflating a blue float with cartoon print, standing on steps

@diplo / Via tiktok.com

And just like that, he was in the water and floating down the river!

Man swimming in water near a bridge, holding a blue bag. Text on image says,
Man swimming in water near a bridge, holding a blue bag. Text on image says,
Person floating on a river in front of a bridge, holding a blue bag. Text on image reads,
Person floating on a river in front of a bridge, holding a blue bag. Text on image reads,

@diplo / Via tiktok.com

He continued floating along.

Person swimming in a large body of water under a stone bridge with
Person swimming in a large body of water under a stone bridge with
Two people floating in water, one on a float with a paddle. Text reads,
Two people floating in water, one on a float with a paddle. Text reads,

@diplo / Via tiktok.com

And finally, he wrapped up by saying, "This is the only way I'm commuting now."

Man floating in water on a paddleboard with a bridge in the background. Text overlay: "This is the only way I'm commuting now."
@diplo / Via tiktok.com

I don't know about you, but this seems like a refreshing and fun way to travel. What do you think? Would you be willing to give it a try? Let us know in the comments.

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