Ethan Swanson

Ethan Swanson, better known as The Swan or The Daredevil, is a data analyst and current stuntman from Golden, Colorado (formerly Chicago, Illinois). Since American Ninja Warrior 9, Swanson has also acquired the nickname "The Swan". Because of this, Swanson commonly has his own celebration move where he flaps his arms up and down.

American Ninja Warrior 6
Ethan first competed in St. Louis in American Ninja Warrior 6. Swanson had been able to breeze through all six obstacles in qualifying with ease. However, as a shocker, it was shown he was disqualified on the Rolling Maruta for splashing the water, which his foot touched just barely.

American Ninja Warrior 7
Ethan returned again in American Ninja Warrior 7 and competed in Kansas City his run in qualifying was cut but he finished the course without disqualification this time, placing 21st overall. In the finals, his run was cut from the broadcast but it shown in the next season that he failed the Flying Shelf Grab. He placed 18th overall, and did not make it to the national finals.

American Ninja Warrior 8
Ethan returned to compete in American Ninja Warrior 8, now much stronger than ever. He competed in Indianapolis where his run in Qualifying was cut but he finished the course placing 11th in the top 30. In the city finals, Ethan put up a very impressive run, becoming the first competitor of the night to conquer the Hourglass Drop. He then cleared the new Circuit Board, the penultimate obstacle of the Indianapolis finals course. Swanson failed the Invisible Ladder, but he managed to place 5th overall, making it his first time he advanced to the national finals. In Vegas, On Stage 1, his run was digested, but it was shown that he finished the course with 2.10 seconds left. His run on stage 2 was also digested, but it was shown that he failed the Down Up Salmon Ladder.

American Ninja Warrior 9
Ethan once again competed in Kansas City in American Ninja Warrior 9, where he now is known as his new nickname, "The Swan". Swanson completed the qualifying course and placed 5th overall, and even did the "Swan" celebration with many competitors and even Akbar joining in his celebration. He was one of only 10 competitors to finish the Kansas City qualifying course.

Unfortunately, in the city finals, while he made short work of the first two obstacles, he shockingly failed the Broken Pipes, when his hopped past the spring and misstepped on the second pipe. He placed 27th overall, and didn't make it back to Vegas.

American Ninja Warrior 10


Ethan returned to compete in Indianapolis in American Ninja Warrior 10. His run was digested in qualifying but it was shown that he fell on the Spin Hopper, which placed him 11th overall. This actually marked Swanson's first time failing to reach the buzzer in qualifying (this even counts American Ninja Warrior 6, where although he was disqualified, he still finished the course).

During the Indianapolis finals, he got redemption on the Spin Hopper, and later had no problem with the back half of the course. After barely missing out two years ago in Indianapolis, Swanson battled the tenth obstacle, the Spider Trap, and punched his first city finals buzzer in his career. He placed 1st overall, beating Trevor West's time by almost 4 seconds.

In Stage 1, Swanson had a close call on the dismount of Jeep Run, but scrambled through the course with 21.21 seconds to spare.

His run on Stage 2 was digested, but it was shown that he failed Wingnut Alley.

American Ninja Warrior 11
Ethan returned to compete in Cincinnati. He revealed that this season, he did more of his dangerous stunts to train his nerves much more this season.

During the qualifiers, his training payed off well, as he blazed through the course without hesitation and getting the fastest time of the night and becoming one of two to face the Power Tower. At the Power Tower, he and Jackson Twait were neck and neck with Jackson in the slight lead. Eventually, Ethan managed to speed his way for the win and automatically qualifying for Vegas. He crushed Stage One and Two and is moving on to Stage Three for the 1st time. In the stage, he wanted to become the first competitor from his Chicago group that made it to stage 3 to beat the Ultimate Cliffhanger. He was able to make the second ledge transition, but he seemed to get tired near the end on the last ledge and came up few feet short. Barely touching the dismount platform. This caused everyone from Chicago that has made it to stage 3 to all fail the Ultimate Cliffhanger.

American Ninja Warrior 12
Ethan returned to compete on the modified season, bringing along Jack McCallie and Cameron Baumgartner. Ethan cruised through the qualifying course, earning the second fastest time and a spot on the Power Tower. He went against Jake Murray, with the two of them trying to save their teammates. They were even until they got to the ascent, where Ethan used only one pole and struggled, while Jake used both poles and made the climb with ease. Jake ultimately won the match.

However, Ethan did not compete in the semifinals. He revealed on Reddit and Instagram that he came in contact with a competitor that tested positive for COVID-19, and was sent home because he could not get tested fast enough to compete. He was still seen on the virtual sideline cheering on some of his friends.

American Ninja Warrior 13
Ethan returned to compete on American Ninja Warrior 13. In qualifiers, he shared that he has moved to Colorado and spent time training with Jake Murray. When he reached Split Decision, he was one of very few who chose Block Run over Log Runner. Ethan completed the course with ease, finishing with the third fastest time. In the semi-finals, his run was digested, but it was shown that he made it all the way to the Crazy Clocks, when he could not dismount onto the landing platform. Unfortunately, this was not good enough for him to make the top 15 by the end of the night, as he placed 18th. With that, he did not advance to the national finals for the first time since season 9.