American Ninja Warrior 7's Paddle Boards in Orlando
The Paddle Boards is an obstacle, firstly introduced as third obstacle on American Ninja Warrior 7 in Orlando.
It consisted of six paddles (three on each side), supported by an 18-feet long 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 many top competitors like Brett Sims, Bootie Cothran, Jonathan Brown, Bart Copeland, Nate Burkhalter, Joyce Shahboz, Jon Alexis Sr., Nick Patel, and Chris Boehm. Several eliminations on the obstacle were from disqualification on stepping of the center axis, which additionally included competitors such as Lucas Gomes, Fernando Vazquez, Vincente King, William Brown and Raymond Cass Clawson.
During the Orlando finals, it took out Kenneth Niemitalo, Solomon Harvey, Stephens Nunnally and Cory Cook. The obstacle disqualified Niemitalo, Harvey and Nunnally from the center axis rule, whereas Cook was disqualified from a course-out.
Other Season Appearances[]
American Ninja Warrior 8[]
American Ninja Warrior 8's Paddle Boards in Philadelphia
On American Ninja Warrior 8, the Paddle Boards appeared as the third obstacle in Philadelphia. This time it 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. As with last season, several disqualfications from the center axis also occurred from the obstacle, examples of which included Julius Ferguson, Sean Darling-Hammond and Abel Gonzalez.
However, during the Philadelphia finals, only John Gowder Jr. failed on the obstacle.
American Ninja Warrior 9[]
American Ninja Warrior 9's Paddle Boards in Denver
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) and is now 24 feet of length.
Likely due to its placement as the fourth obstacle, a lot fewer competitors attempted the obstacle, and as a result, only nine competitors were eliminated here, including Matt Wilder, Larissa Cottle and Deon Graham.
During Denver finals, three competitors were eliminated on this obstacle: Matt Reeves, Nate DeHaan, and Sam Sann (who was disqualified for stepping on the center axis).
Other Appearances[]
Ninja Warrior Sweden[]
Ninja Warrior Sweden 2's Paddle Boards
On Ninja Warrior Sweden 2, the Paddle Boards appeared as the third obstacle in all Regional Finals and Finals' Stage One.
Ninja Warrior UK[]
Ninja Warrior UK 2's Paddle Boards
The Paddle Boards appeared on Ninja Warrior UK 2, as the third obstacle in the finals' Stage One. 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 fail in huge numbers.
Competitors' Success Rate[]
- All results based on the NBC/ITV broadcast and external information found.
American Ninja Warrior[]
| ANW | Clears | Attempts | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| ANW7 (Qualifiers) | 55 | 79 | 69.62% |
| ANW7 (City Finals) | 22 | 28 | 78.57% |
| ANW8 (Qualifiers) | 53 | 84 | 63.10% |
| ANW8 (City Finals) | 29 | 30 | 96.67% |
| ANW9 (Qualifiers) | 31 | 40 | 77.50% |
| ANW9 (City Finals) | 25 | 28 | 89.29% |
| Total | 215 | 289 | 74.39% |
Ninja Warrior UK[]
| NWUK | Clears | Attempts | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| NWUK2 | 5 | 14 | 35.71% |
| Total | 5 | 14 | 35.71% |