The Beehive is an obstacle, firstly introduced as the third obstacle during the third episode of qualifiers on American Ninja Warrior 12.
The concept of this obstacle was similar to the Wingnuts, where competitors must swing across three hanging honeycomb-shaped ledges. The second honeycomb was placed perpendicular to the other two honeycombs. Once the competitors grabbed on to the second honeycomb, they must rotate the honeycomb in a 270-degree direction counterclockwise until it was locked into place, making it parallel to the other honeycombs.
Due to several casualties from the previous obstacle (the Lunatic Ledges), only 22 competitors attempted this obstacle during the third episode of the qualifiers, and it only eliminated three competitors: Rachael Goldstein, David Womelsdorf, and Kyle Wheeler.
It later returned one episode later in the fourth round of qualifying. This time, more competitors attempted the obstacle, with a total of 30 being able to do so. A total of five competitors failed the obstacle that night, including Michael Bougher and Will Schlageter.
Taped around the same time as American Ninja Warrior 12, Beehive served as the third obstacle in the first Women's Championship. This time, four women fell on the obstacle; Jeri D'Aurelio, Michelle Warnky-Buurma, Rachael Goldstein, and Zhanique Lovett.
Other Season Appearances[]
American Ninja Warrior 15[]
On American Ninja Warrior 15, the Beehive appeared as the third obstacle during the Runoffs, Semifinals, and in the Safety Pass races for the third and fourth round of semifinals. The obstacle was modified so that competitors only needed to spin the second honeycomb 90ยฐ counterclockwise for it to lock into place making it similar to the version used in Ninja Warrior Israel 5. Due to the nature of the obstacle being on a side-by-side course, there would be instances where competitors would fail the obstacle due to rushing.
During the runoffs, there were numerous falls, which included Gary Weiland, Nyjle Henry, Drew Marinelli, and Kyndal McKenzie. During the semifinals, a handful of competitors failed the obstacle, such as Jamie Rahn, Ibrahim Hayek, Jeri D'Aurelio, Gary Weiland, and after an incredible save on the same obstacle during the runoffs, James Wilson.
It was replaced by the Wingnuts for both the Runoffs and Semifinals courses in American Ninja Warrior 16.
Hornet's Nest[]
On American Ninja Warrior 14, a variation of the Beehive, named as the Hornet's Nest, appeared as the fifth obstacle in Stage Two, replacing the Epic Air Surfer from the previous season. On this obstacle, competitors have to:
- Jump from a springboard and grab the first honeycomb, which was perpendicular to the springboard.
- Then, they must rotate the first honeycomb in a counter-clockwise direction and make a 8-foot transition to the second honeycomb which is stationary.
- After that, they must reach out from the second to the third honeycomb which is higher and a different angle than the second.
- Then, they must rotate the third honeycomb in a counter-clockwise direction and make a transition to the fourth honeycomb which is perpendicular to the third honeycomb.
- Then, they must swing horizontally to grab the last honeycomb.
- And finally, they must rotate the last honeycomb in a counterclockwise direction and make a transition to the landing platform to advance.
Despite having a similar, yet more complicated, concept to Wingnut Alley from Season 9 and 10, this supersized lache obstacle was significantly less brutal as only five competitors failed the obstacle: Ethan Swanson (who fell on Wingnut Alley on American Ninja Warrior 10), Lucas Reale, Kyle Soderman, Owen Dyer and Evan Andrews.
Other Season Appearances[]
American Ninja Warrior: Women's Championship 3[]
The Hornet's Nest appeared as the fifth obstacle in Stage Two during American Ninja Warrior: Women's Championship 3. This obstacle proved to be brutal on the women competitors, as out of the five women who attempted it: only Katie Bone could get past it. Addy Herman, Abby Clark, Jesse Labreck, and Isabella Wakeham all fell on the obstacle, at various points throughout it. This obstacle served as the cut-off for the top 4 on Stage Two, with only Isabella Wakeham not advancing to Stage 4.
Despite its overall difficulty and due to the format change, it was replaced by its predecessor on American Ninja Warrior 15.
Other Appearances[]
Beehive[]
Australian Ninja Warrior[]
On Australian Ninja Warrior 5, the Beehive appeared as the fifth obstacle in Heat 2 and Heat 4. The obstacle was paired with Weight for It as part of the Crossroads' Path B. A hope was added for the contestants to reach the first beehive.
Then on Australian Ninja Warrior 6, it appeared as the eighth obstacle during the semifinals and the second obstacle of the Race for Advantage. Contestants will make a 2.5m lache from the first to the second honeycomb, and just as the previous season, it must then be rotated 270 degrees counterclockwise.
Ninja Warrior Germany[]
In Ninja Warrior Germany 6, the Beehive, locally called Bienenstock appeared as the seventh and penultimate obstacle in the first Preliminary Round. Unlike the Beehive used in American Ninja Warrior, the third honeycomb ledge of this obstacle would also be perpendicular to the first ledge however did not rotate in a way the second honeycomb did. In addition to that, the arrangement of the honeycombs was a downwards pattern, and the obstacle was also preceded by the Salmon Ladder, with there only being a lachรฉ bar between those two obstacles. The obstacle was very easy, as all seven competitors who attempted this obstacle cleared it.
In Ninja Warrior Germany 8, the Beehive appeared as the sixth and penultimate obstacle in the third Preliminary Round. This obstacle was almost similar to the Beehive iteration used in Ninja Warrior Germany 6, and it also had a lachรฉ bar, which served as medium to reach the first honeycomb, placed before the three honeycombs. However unlike on the Beehive iteration used in Ninja Warrior Germany 6, the first and the third honeycomb now featured thicker blue ledges and the alignment of the second honeycomb was also different now, as this honeycomb was now aligned diagonally, making the ledge more difficult to catch. After catching the second honeycomb, the competitors must rotate it 315 degrees clockwise to lock it in place.
Ninja Warrior France[]
Les Nids D'Abeilles (literally Honeycombs), Ninja Warrior France's official name for the Beehive would appear as the fourth obstacle of Qualification 2 of Ninja Warrior France 6. It is paired with the Grim Sweeper as part of Route A of the Crossroads.
Ninja Israel[]
On Ninja Warrior Israel 4, Beehive, literally translated ืืืืืจืช appeared as the fourth obstacle in Heat 1, Heat 5 and Heat 9, with a rope as a medium to get to the first honeycomb. The obstacle was very easy, as it eliminated only four out of eighteen competitors who attempted it.
Then, on Ninja Warrior Israel 5, the Beehive appeared as the second obstacle in Heat 8, Heat 12, Semifinal 2 and Semifinal 4. This time, the rope was replaced by two lachรฉ bars, and the second honeycomb was already fully locked in place, requiring competitors to just swing through all honeycombs without having to lock one in place, making the obstacle more similar to Wingnuts. Due to the nature of the obstacle being in a side-by-side course, there would be instances where competitors would fail the obstacle due to rushing. As a result, the obstacle eliminated four out of 31 competitors in Heats and one out of 10 competitors in Semifinal 2 who attempted it.
Trivia[]
- The Hornet's Nest would continue the trend of a fifth obstacle that appeared on Stage Two that was a modification from the qualifiers/city finals course.
Competitors' Success Rate[]
- All results based on the NBC/RTL/Keshet 12 broadcast and external information found.
American Ninja Warrior[]
Beehive | |||
---|---|---|---|
ANW | Clears | Attempts | Percentage |
ANW12 (QF EP 3) | 19 | 22 | 86.36% |
ANW12 (QF EP 4) | 25 | 30 | 83.33% |
Women's Championship | 14 | 18 | 77.78% |
Total | 44 | 52 | 82.86% |
Hornet's Nest | |||
---|---|---|---|
ANW | Clears | Attempts | Percentage |
ANW14 | 12 | 17 | 70.58% |
Women's Championship 3 | 1 | 5 | 20% |
Total | 13 | 22 | 59.09% |
Ninja Warrior Germany[]
Beehive | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
NWG | Stage | Clears | Attempts | Percentage |
NWG6 | Preliminary Round 1 | 7 | 7 | 100% |
Preliminary Round 2 | 5 | 11 | 45.45% | |
Total | 12 | 18 | 66.66% |
Ninja Israel[]
Beehive | |||
---|---|---|---|
NWI | Clears | Attempts | Percentage |
NWI4 (Heat 1) | 5 | 5 | 100% |
NWI4 (Heat 5) | 4 | 6 | 66.67% |
NWI4 (Heat 9) | 5 | 7 | 71.43% |
NWI5 (Heat 8) | 11 | 12 | 91.67% |
NWI5 (Heat 12) | 16 | 19 | 84.21% |
NWI5 (Semifinal 2) | 9 | 10 | 90% |
NWI5 (Semifinal 4) | 10 | 10 | 100% |
Total | 60 | 69 | 86.96% |