The Ultimate Surfer

Fourteen up-and-coming surfers train and live together at the World Surf League's (WSL) state-of-the-art Surf Ranch in Lemoore, California, powered by Kelly Slater's human-made wave technology, in the hope of winning $100,000 and the opportunity to compete on the WSL Championship Tour. 

 

Alliances and friendships are put to the test as the 12 remaining contestants vie for the title of The Ultimate Surfer. With the help of big wave surfer Billy Kemper, the surfers compete in a Breathhold Buoy Race and show off their backside in this week's Wave Challenge.

The surfers roll out of bed for an early morning Beach Battle – The Barrel Roll. The remaining five men and five women use their strength, balance and stamina to stay ON the barrel, not IN it. Heading into the Barrel Wave Challenge, the teams discuss new strategies to take out the frontrunners and focus on winning. This ruthless mindset worked for some, better than others, and eventually two surfers who were sent home.

Resident commentators Joe Turpel and Erin Coscarelli are on hand to announce this week's Beach Battle – The Paddle Battle. The remaining eight surfers hop on their boards for a tug-of-war, surfer style, to earn extra time on the wave and earn a SUP-er sweet prize. As the teams choreograph synchronized runs for the Crossovers Wave Challenge, it's clear that some have never even attempted the trick before. In the end, two more surfers are eliminated from the competition.

In a surprising twist, the surfers are greeted by some old friends who force them to up their game. New teams get a second chance at redemption, but old alliances could hinder their progress. Four teams enter the Wildcard Wave Challenge in hopes of keeping their Championship Tour dreams alive.

The eight remaining surfers share their stoke and give surfing lessons to Bachelor Nation fan favorites Hannah Ann Sluss and Mike Johnson. Later, the surfers light up the night with a beach party and groovy nighttime surf session under the moonlight. In the Floaters Wave Challenge, surfers with the longest hang time and creativity will avoid the Surf Off and ultimately, elimination.

It's a dog-eat-dog world as the six remaining surfers face off in a ruthless Surf Combine Beach Battle. Later, famed aerial master and 2021 Surf Ranch Pro winner Filipe Toledo coaches the surfers on how to score in the Best Maneuver Wave Challenge. After an epic showdown in the Surf Off, the final four have secured their spot in the finals.

Friendships and alliances built along the way are pushed to the sand as two men and two women meet in the final showdown. Eleven-time surfing world champion Kelly Slater surprises the finalists with a once-in-a-lifetime coaching session, sharing real-time feedback on the wave he created. After a neck-and-neck race at the Final Surf Off, one man and one woman are crowned The Ultimate Surfers, winning $100,000 and the opportunity to compete on the WSL Championship Tour.