Half-Pipe Attack

Half-Pipe Attack (ハーフパイプアタック) was a First Stage obstacle introduced in SASUKE 19, placed as the fifth obstacle to replace Bungee Bridge that didn't eliminate anyone in the previous tournament. It resembled Nejireta Kabe, which appeared from SASUKE 13 to SASUKE 15.

Competitors must run across a plank to a half-pipe, then make a leap from the half-pipe about halfway through to reach a rope that swings them onto a narrow landing pad. They had to throw the right amount of momentum to the rope as if it was too little, they won't be able to make it to the landing platform, while if it was too much, they will over-shot the landing platform, meaning they had to go back to the half-pipe and tried to swing again to the landing platform. With Jumping Spider, it made a feared duo during their appearances in First Stage.

Most of the top competitors failed here at least once, with some competitors like Akiyama Kazuhiko, Yamamoto Shingo, and Kawahara Takuya even failing it twice. During its lifespans, the obstacle had three different versions.

First Version
Being the most intricate version of the obstacle in terms of visual design, the wall was painted in a flame pattern. This version also was the least deadly, only eliminating six competitors in total, with the only notable one being Morimoto Yūsuke, although most of the competitors had already been beaten by a hardened Jumping Spider before they were even able to reach this obstacle, meaning this version also had the fewest number of attempts. It was modified in the following tournament.

Second Version
In SASUKE 20, the design of the wall was modified, now painted in plain brown. Due to Jumping Spider being toned down in this tournament, more competitors were able to attempt this obstacle and it got to show its true potential, causing major problems as many of them failed to make the dismount to the landing pad properly. Some of them even made the mistake of reaching the platform but failing to land, then having to swing back to the half-pipe for a second go, and in Yamamoto Shingo and Kanno Hitoshi's runs in SASUKE 24, a third go, wasting valuable time.

There have been several minor modifications to this version. First in SASUKE 21, as it was clear competitors struggled to stay on the platform following the previous tournament's failures, the producers flattened the landing platform, making it one of few obstacles in SASUKE's history to be modified in three consecutive tournaments.

Then, in SASUKE 22, it was once again modified, making the plank leading to Soritatsu Kabe slanted. The placement of the plank also made it possible for competitors to attempt the Soritatsu Kabe from the side, not unlike when the Nejireta Kabe had been on the course. This modification also means Half-Pipe Attack become the first obstacle in SASUKE's history to be modified in four consecutive tournaments, before being followed by Rolling Hill.

The slanted plank caused one of the most notable failures in SASUKE, as Yamamoto Shingo carelessly stepped on the plank, unaware that it was slanted compared to the previous tournament, resulting in him losing balance and him going down to the water.

After Urushihara Yuuji's Kanzenseiha in SASUKE 24, it was replaced by the relocated Log Grip in SASUKE 25, only for it to return in SASUKE 26, whereupon the landing platform was cushioned to be similar to the one used in SASUKE 20, and the plank was moved to be off-center from the Soritatsu Kabe, meaning competitors would not be able to attempt the obstacle from the side.

Third Version
In SASUKE 27, the obstacle received another major modification, as the landing pad was removed. In place of it was a very small, wooden platform without padding. Then, competitors had to traverse a stationary log to Soritatsu Kabe instead of a plank.

This change was extremely dangerous, as Drew Drechsel landed on the log awkwardly, fracturing his right ACL and MCL, which forced him to withdraw from the tournament. Drew's run in this tournament was not shown in the TBS broadcast, but it was shown during the broadcast of G4's American Ninja Warrior 3.

Possibly to avoid further injuries occurred again, it was replaced by Ni Ren Soritatsu Kabe in SASUKE 28.

Competitors' Success Rate

 * All results based on the TBS broadcast and external information found.

American Ninja Warrior
Half-Pipe Attack appeared as the fifth obstacle from American Ninja Warrior 4 to American Ninja Warrior 6, which was similar to the SASUKE 27 version, but the landing platform was softened and the beam to the Warped Wall was flattened at the top. In American Ninja Warrior 6, Meagan Martin became the first female competitor to complete the obstacle.

In American Ninja Warrior 7, the obstacle was replaced by Sonic Curve, which had a similar concept to this obstacle.

Ninja Warrior Germany
Half-Pipe Attack appeared in Ninja Warrior Germany 2 as the first obstacle in Stage 2.

SASUKE Vietnam
Half-Pipe Attack, called locally Bật Tường Đu Dây Qua Hào Nước or simply Bật Tường Đu Dây in SASUKE Vietnam 3, appeared in SASUKE Vietnam 1 as the fifth obstacle in Stage 2, which was similar to one used from American Ninja Warrior 4 to American Ninja Warrior 6, since the landing platform was softened and the beam to the first wall of Double Warped Wall was flattened at the top.

From SASUKE Vietnam 2 to SASUKE Vietnam 3, it was the third obstacle in Stage 2. This time, the beam was placed nearby the pulled landing platform.

In SASUKE Vietnam 4, it was replaced by Roulette Row.

Competitors' Success Rate

 * All results based on the NBC broadcast and external information found.

Gallery
ハーフパイプアタック 乘風破浪