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ANW3

American Ninja Warrior 8's Flying Squirrel in Stage One

The Flying Squirrel is an obstacle, firstly introduced as the eighth and final obstacle in Stage One on American Ninja Warrior 8, replacing the Triple Swing from the previous season. On this obstacle: 

  • Competitors must make an 11-foot (3.35-meter) jump from a mini tramp to a set of handles that swing independently of each other, similar to The Clacker.
  • Then, they must build enough swing and momentum to make a transition to the next set of handles, which are 11 feet away from the first set of handles.
  • After that, they must build enough swing and momentum to make a 10-foot (3.048-meter) transition to the Rope Ladder and climb it to reach the buzzer before the time ran out, in order to clear the stage.

This obstacle was proven to be much more difficult than its predecessor (the Triple Swing), as competitors like Ryan Stratis, Dan Polizzi, Jon Alexis Jr., Ryan Robinson, Nick Hanson, Jessell Boseman, Eric Middleton, and Nick Kostreski failed on this obstacle. Some instances, such as with Polizzi, Hanson, Middleton, and Kostreski, had timed out rather than legitimately falling on the obstacle, although both Polizzi and Middleton fall on the obstacle. On its first season appearance, only 17 competitors could complete the obstacle within the time limit and ultimately advance to Stage Two.

During USA vs. The World 3, the obstacle took out Danee Marmolejo from Team Latin America.

Other Season Appearances[]

American Ninja Warrior 9[]

ANW9 Flying Squirrel

American Ninja Warrior 9's Flying Squirrel in Stage One

The Flying Squirrel returned on American Ninja Warrior 9, once again as the eighth and final obstacle in Stage One, with a similar specification from the previous season.

However, unlike on the previous season, 51 competitors could reach the obstacle, and only 10 competitors failed, including Chris DiGangi, Robin Pietschmann, Brandon Pannell, Jesse Labreck, Barclay Stockett (who had timed out at the obstacle before attempting it), Alex Carson, Ben Baker, and most surprisingly, Jessie Graff (who completed this obstacle on the previous season, setting a history as the first woman to complete Stage One on American Ninja Warrior).

On American Ninja Warrior 10, the obstacle was replaced by the Twist & Fly.

Other Appearances[]

Some international formats would erroneously fuse the handles back into a trapeze, making the obstacle similar to the Trapeze Swing. This trend seemed to start with Ninja Warrior France.

Ninja Warrior UK[]

NWUK4 Cargo with Squirrel

Ninja Warrior UK 4's Cargo with Squirrel

The Flying Squirrel appeared on Ninja Warrior UK 4, as the fourth obstacle in Heat 2, and was called as the Cargo with Squirrel. However, compared to the one used on American Ninja Warrior, the obstacle featured:

  • No trampoline,
  • Only one set of handles was used, and
  • The cargo net was similar to the one used on the Jump Hang. Therefore, after reaching the cargo net, competitors must climb it down to reach the landing platform.
Nwuk5 flyingsquirrel

Ninja Warrior UK 5's Flying Squirrel

Then, the obstacle appeared as the second obstacle in Heat 1 on Ninja Warrior UK 5. This time, the second set of handles was replaced with a trapeze bar on a zipline.

NWUK6 Double Squirrel

Ninja Warrior UK 6's Double Squirrel

On Ninja Warrior UK 6, the obstacle appeared as the second in Heat 1, Heat 4, Heat 5 and Heat 7. This time the obstacle consisted of two sets of handles and each handle was combined into one, making the obstacle very similar to the one used in Ninja Warrior France 3 for women competitors.


Australian Ninja Warrior[]

AusNW2 Flying Squirrel to Cargo Net

Australian Ninja Warrior 2's Flying Squirrel to Cargo Net

Aunw2 squirrel

Side-view of Australian Ninja Warrior 2's Flying Squirrel to Cargo Net

On Australian Ninja Warrior 2, the Flying Squirrel was combined with Rope Ladder and was called as the Flying Squirrel to Cargo Net, appeared as the eighth obstacle in Stage One, which was similar to the Cargo with Squirrel on Ninja Warrior UK 4. However, just like on American Ninja Warrior, competitors must jump from the trampoline to reach the handles, and after reaching the cargo net, competitors must climb it up to reach a platform, then walked across the platform (similar to Rope Ladder, albeit without the red button due to it was not the final obstacle in Stage One), and finally dropped down to the landing platform through a pole.

AusNW3 Double Squirrel

Australian Ninja Warrior 3's Double Squirrel

Aunw3 double squirrel

Bryson Klein attempting Double Squirrel in Australian Ninja Warrior 3

Then, on Australian Ninja Warrior 3, the Flying Squirrel (called as the Double Squirrel) appeared as the fifth obstacle in Heat 2 and Heat 5. This time, the obstacle was made similar to the one used on American Ninja Warrior (albeit the cargo net was not presented). Contestants must jump 3m from the trampoline to the first Squirrel, then make a 3m to the second, then swing to dismount.

AusNW4 Double Squirrel

Australian Ninja Warrior 4's Double Squirrel

Later, on Australian Ninja Warrior 4, the Double Squirrel appeared as the fifth obstacle in Heat 1, which was very similar to the one used in Ninja Warrior Germany 4. Moreover, the distance between the two sets of Flying Squirrels was made wider, now at 3.6m. In the State of Origin special, it was revealed the distance between the parallel bars and the first squirrel was 2m.

Ninja Warrior France[]

NWF3 Squirrel

Ninja Warrior France 3's Flying Squirrel

In Ninja Warrior France 3, the Flying Squirrel, locally called Le Saut de l'Écureuil (literally The Leap of the Squirrel), appeared as the second obstacle in Heat 2 and Heat 4, which was almost similar to the one used in American Ninja Warrior 8, except that the first set of handles are connected together instead of being separate (in a similar fashion to the Trapeze Swing). The gap between the sets of handles was revealed to be 2.5m

NWF3 Squirrel Women

Modified Flying Squirrel for women competitors in Ninja Warrior France 3

For female competitors, both sets of handles were connected together, making the obstacle very similar to the Trapeze Swing in American Ninja Warrior 5.

NWF8 Flying Squirrel

Ninja Warrior France 8's Flying Squirrel


Then, in Ninja Warrior France 8, the Flying Squirrel, locally called Le Double Envol (literally The Double Flight), appeared as the second obstacle in Semifinals. This time, the obstacle was modified to the one used in Ninja Warrior Germany 6 (since the cargo net was removed).

Ninja Israel[]

NWI Squirrel

Ninja Israel's Flying Squirrel to Cargo Net

In Ninja Warrior Israel, the Flying Squirrel, locally called ידית לרשת (literally Handles to the Cargo Net), appeared as the fourth obstacle of Heat 2 and Heat 8, and was very similar to the Cargo with Squirrel in Ninja Warrior UK 4.

NWI2 Squirrel

Ninja Israel 2's Double Squirrel to Cargo Net

Then, in Ninja Warrior Israel 2, the Flying Squirrel, this time locally called קפיצת הסנאי (literally Squirrel Jump), appeared as the fourth obstacle of Heat 3, Heat 5, Heat 8 and Against the Route Heat. This time, the obstacle was made similar to the one used in American Ninja Warrior (since it featured two sets of handles).

NWI3 Squirrel

Ninja Israel 3's Double Squirrel

Later, in Ninja Warrior Israel 3, the Flying Squirrel appeared as the second obstacle of Heat 8 and Heat 16. This time, the obstacle featured two bars as a medium to reach the first set of handles and the cargo net was removed, making the obstacle very similar to the one used in Ninja Warrior Germany 4.

NWI4 Squirrel

Ninja Israel 4's Flying Squirrel

In Ninja Warrior Israel 4, the Flying Squirrel appeared as the second obstacle of Heat 4 and Heat 15. This time, it was the same as the one used in the previous season. However due to the new format of the Heats, the obstacle served as the time waster and also was way more difficult than the one used in the previous season.

Ninja Warrior Austria[]

Nwat1 flying squirrel 2

Ninja Warrior Austria 1's Flying Squirrel

In Ninja Warrior Austria 1, the Flying Squirrel, locally called Trapez (literally Trapeze, not to be confused with Trapeze Swing) appeared as the eighth obstacle in Stage One, which was very similar to the Ninja Warrior France 3's version for women competitors, albert without the cargo net at the end of the obstacle.

Nwat2 flying squirrel

Ninja Warrior Austria 2's Flying Squirrel

Then, on Ninja Warrior Austria 2, the Flying Squirrel appeared twice during this season:

Nwat2 trapeze swing to cargo net

Ninja Warrior Austria 2's Trapeze Swing to Cargo Net

  • Firstly, as the fourth obstacle of Stage One. This time, both handles were disconnected.
    Nwat2 trapeze swing to cargo net competitor

    Competitor on Ninja Warrior Austria 2's Trapeze Swing to Cargo Net

    On Ninja Warrior Austria 2, Trapeze Swing to Cargo Net appeared as the fourth obstacle of Heat 2 & 6. Contestants will jump from the mini-tramp to reach the first trapeze, then swing to the second, and finally to the cargo net, and scramble down.

Ninja Warrior Poland[]

NWP1 Flying Squirrel

Ninja Warrior Poland's Flying Squirrel

In Ninja Warrior Poland, the Flying Squirrel appeared for the first time in Heat 3 and then in Heat 5 as the fourth obstacle. There was a trampoline in front of the obstacle, and the obstacle itself consisted of only one trapeze with only two handles and a cargo net (similar to the one used in Australian Ninja Warrior 2).

NWP2 Double Flying Squirrel 2

Ninja Warrior Poland 2's Double Flying Squirrel in the Qualifications

NWP2 Flying Squirrel

Ninja Warrior Poland 2's Double Flying Squirrel in Stage One

In Ninja Warrior Poland 2, the obstacle appeared as the fourth obstacle in all Heats and in the Finals' Stage 1. This season, it was named Double Flying Squirrel because this time the obstacle consisted of two trapezoids and a cargo net (similar to the Jump Hang). The distance between the trapezes was 3 meters (9.84 feet), and on each of them there was one long handle, making it very similar to the Ninja Warrior France 3's version for women competitors. It was later changed to only two short handles in Stage One (similar to Ninja Warrior Israel 2's version).

Ninja Warrior Germany[]

Nwgr2 flying squirrel cargo

Ninja Warrior Germany 2's Flying Squirrel to Cargo Net

On Ninja Warrior Germany 2, the Flying Squirrel to Cargo Net, locally called Cargo-Netz mit Hebel (literally Cargo Net with Lever) appeared as the fourth obstacle in Preliminary Round 1, which was similar to the Cargo with Squirrel on Ninja Warrior UK 4. However, just like on American Ninja Warrior, competitors must jump from the trampoline to reach the handles. Although the handles are being separated, they were connected at the top, making them swing like the trapeze.

Nwgr3 flying squirrel

Ninja Warrior Germany 3's Double Squirrel to Cargo Net

Then, on Ninja Warrior Germany 3, the Flying Squirrel was combined with Rope Ladder and locally called Cargo-Netz mit Doppelhebel (literally Cargo Net with Double Lever) reappeared as the fourth obstacle in Preliminary Round 5, which was similar to the one used in Ninja Warrior France 3, albert the first set of handles are being separated instead of connect together.

Nwgr4 flying squirrel

Ninja Warrior Germany 4's Flying Squirrel

Later, on Ninja Warrior Germany 4, the Flying Squirrel, this time locally called Hebel-Sprung (literally Lever Jump) appeared as the second obstacle of Semifinals Qualification 1 and 4, with the trampoline being replaced with two bars. The second set of handles was disconnected, but connected at the top making them swing like the trapeze.

NWGermany2021 Trapeze Swing

Ninja Warrior Germany 6's Double Squirrel

On Ninja Warrior Germany 6, the Flying Squirrel, this time locally called Doppel-Hebel (literally Double Lever) appeared as the third obstacle in Stage Two, which was very similar to the one used in Ninja Warrior France 3 for women competitors, albeit without the cargo net at the end of the obstacle.

American Ninja Warrior Junior[]

Flyingsquirrelanwjr2

American Ninja Warrior Junior 2's Flying Squirrel

The Flying Squirrel appeared as the fifth obstacle for American Ninja Warrior Junior 2, specifically for Bracket 1; kids aged 9-10.

This obstacle subtracted the cargo net and consisted of two laches to a bar. 17 competitors fell on it, including Lindsay Zimmerman, and Kaden Forsha.

Ninja Israel Junior[]

NWIJ Flying Squirrel

Ninja Israel Junior's Double Squirrel

In Ninja Warrior Israel Junior, the Flying Squirrel appeared as the fifth obstacle in Heat 2. The obstacle featured two sets of handles with two bars as a medium to reach the first set of handles and another bar at the end of the obstacle. After reach the second set of handles, competitors must build enough swing and momentum to make a transition to the bar and swing to the landing platform.

Competitors' Success Rate[]

  • All results based on the NBC/Polsat broadcast and external information found.

American Ninja Warrior[]

ANW Clears Attempts Percentage
ANW8 17 27 62.96%
ANW9 41 51 80.39%
USA vs. The World 3 3 4 75%
USA vs. The World 4 4 4 100%
Total 65 86 75.58%

Ninja Warrior Poland[]

NWP Clears Attempts Percentage
NWP1 (Heat 3) 17 28 60.70%
NWP1 (Heat 5) 9 19 47.37%
NWP2 18 21 85.71%
Total 44 68 64.71%

Trivia[]

  • It is named after a taxonomical tribe consisting of 50 species of squirrels, capable of gliding across long distances. The positions that competitors make on this obstacle are similar to those done by said squirrels while gliding.
  • With only 17 competitors could complete the obstacle within the time limit and advance to Stage Two, American Ninja Warrior 8 is currently holding the record for the lowest number of finishers during Stage One in American Ninja Warrior history, beating American Ninja Warrior 6's Stage One at 18 finishers.
  • However, one season later, with 41 competitors completing the obstacle within the time limit and advance to Stage Two, American Ninja Warrior 9 is currently holding the record for the highest number of finishers during Stage One in American Ninja Warrior history, beating American Ninja Warrior 7's Stage One at 38 finishers.
  • Before it was put onto the course and was still in the warehouse of the ATS team, it started out as three separate sets of handles during testing of this idea, but the producers thought the competitors would have trouble generating momentum with the second set of handles and it took too long to do all three handles as the course had to be finished in under 2:45, so it was cut back to two sets of handles in the final version.
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