Paddle Boards

The Paddle Boards is an obstacle, firstly introduced as third obstacle on American Ninja Warrior 7 in Orlando.

It consisted of 6 paddles (3 on each side), supported by a center axis. Competitors must maintain their balance while running across the paddles (in a similar fashion with the Bridge of Blades or Rokudantobi). Also, competitors were not allowed to touch the obstacle with their hands or step on the center axis. If they did so, they would be disqualified.

In its debut in during Orlando qualifiers, the obstacle was proven to be difficult, as it took out top competitors like Jonathan Brown, Bart Copeland, Nate Burkhalter, Joyce Shahboz, and Bootie Cothran. It also subsequently disqualified Lucas Gomes, Fernando Vazquez, and Raymond Cass Clawson for stepping on the center axis. During Orlando finals, it took out Cory Cook and Kenneth Niemitalo (in the latter's case, he actually reached Cannonball Alley, but was disqualified on this obstacle for touching the center axis).

American Ninja Warrior 8
On American Ninja Warrior 8, the Paddle Boards appeared as the third obstacle in Philadelphia. This time was modified by adding a barricade on top and making the center axis wider.

During Philadelphia qualifiers, a total of 31 competitors failed on this obstacle, including Alexi Matousek, Maggi Thorne, and John Loobey. It also surprisingly eliminated both Sean Darling-Hammond and Abel Gonzalez for stepping on the center axis. However, during the Philadelphia finals, only John Gowder Jr. failed on the obstacle.

American Ninja Warrior 9
On American Ninja Warrior 9, the Paddle Boards appeared as the fourth obstacle in Denver. The obstacle was modified once again by adding two more paddles (for a total of 8 paddles, 4 on each side).

Likely due to its placement as the fourth obstacle, a lot fewer competitors attempted the obstacle, and as a result, only 9 competitors were eliminated here, including Matt Wilder, Larissa Cottle and Deon Graham.

During Denver finals, 3 competitors were eliminated on this obstacle: Matt Reeves, Nate DeHaan, and Sam Sann (who was disqualified for stepping on the center axis).

Other Appearances
The Paddle Boards appeared on Ninja Warrior UK 2, as the third obstacle in the finals' Stage 1. However, this obstacle was unexpectedly proven to be much brutal than on American Ninja Warrior, eliminating 9 out of 14 competitors who attempted it, including top competitors such as Tim Champion and Teige Matthews Palmer.

Although most simply fell from the rotating paddles, several were disqualified for stepping on the center axis (e.g. Tim Champion).

Several of the obstacle's victims attributed their fails to a wave of "paddle-panic", as the remaining competitors were forced to watch their fellow competitors failed in huge numbers.