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ANW8 Wave Runner

American Ninja Warrior 8's Wave Runner in Stage Two

Waverunner graff anw8

Jessie Graff attempting Wave Runner in American Ninja Warrior 8

The Wave Runner is an obstacle, firstly introduced as the third obstacle on American Ninja Warrior 8 in Stage Two, replacing the Unstable Bridge from the past seven American Ninja Warrior seasons.

This obstacle is a combination of the Unstable Bridge and the Hourglass Drop, consisted of two boards. The first one is an uneven S-board (similar to the board from the Hourglass Drop), and the second one is an an uneven pyramid board.

After completing the Down Up Salmon Ladder, competitors reach out to a lache bar, then transition to the first board, they must hold onto to both sides of the boards and maintain their balance while crossing. While crossing the first board, competitors must use momentum to reach the second board. On the second board, competitors must reach the other side while keeping both ends even.

In its first appearance, this obstacle took out half of the competitors who attempted this obstacle, including Flip Rodriguez, Jessie Graff, Neil Craver, Nicholas Coolridge, Adam Rayl, and most notably, Joe Moravsky (making it the first time he fell at Stage Two), as well as Diego Gonzalez from Team Latin America during USA vs. The World 3.

A special rule was implemented in this obstacle, in which competitors must make a transition to the second board, before being able to make a dismount (as competitors could have the ability to skip the second board entirely by dismounting from the first board). This rule came into play when Flip Rodriguez dismounted the obstacle early by only touching the second board, resulting in a disqualification. Drew Drechsel almost got disqualified on this obstacle for dismounting the obstacle early. Fortunately, he was able to grab the second board and got a grip, successfully landed the platform, and completed the obstacle.

Other Season Appearances[]

American Ninja Warrior 9[]

ANW9 Wave Runner

American Ninja Warrior 9's Wave Runner in Stage Two

The Wave Runner returned on American Ninja Warrior 9, once again as the third obstacle in Stage Two, with a similar specification from the previous season, albeit the boards are made larger. Only seven out of 36 competitors who attempted it failed on it: Brent Steffensen, Cass Clawson, Dave Cavanagh, Josh Levin, Eric Middleton, Nick Kostreski, and Tyler Gillett). It also ensnared Alexander Mars from Team Europe and Yosua Laskaman Zalukhu from Team Asia during USA vs. The World 4.

On American Ninja Warrior 10, the obstacle was replaced by the Dรฉjร  Vu.

Other Appearances[]

In a few international SASUKE Ninja Warrior formats, the Wave Runner featured only an Hourglass-shaped board from the Hourglass Drop.

Ninja Warrior France[]

NWFr4 - Stage 1 - Wave Runner

Ninja Warrior France 4's Wave Runner

The Wave Runner (La Planche ร  Bascule, literally The Rocker Board), appeared as the sixth and penultimate obstacle of Stage One in Ninja Warrior France 4. However, there was only a Hourglass-shaped board (similar to the first board of the Hourglass Drop) presented, and two lache bars was added before the board. Only 3 out of 14 competitors failed this obstacle.

Ninja Israel[]

NWI2 Flying Shelf Grab to Wave Runner

Ninja Israel 2's Flying Shelf Grab to Wave Runner

In Ninja Warrior Israel 2, the Wave Runner, locally called ืฉืขื•ืŸ ื”ื—ื•ืœ (literally The Hourglass) combined with the Flying Shelf Grab (ื”ืคื—ื™ื ื”ืžืจื—ืคื™ื) appeared as the second obstacle in Stage Two. This obstacle had similar configuration with the version from Ninja Warrior France 4, except the lachรฉ bars were replaced by two shelves from the Flying Shelf Grab. Only Gil Marantz attempted and cleared it.

Ninja Warrior Germany[]

NWde6 - Stage 1 - Jumping Spider to Wave Runner

Ninja Warrior Germany 6's Jumping Spider to Wave Runner (Wave Runner part)

In Ninja Warrior Germany 6, the Wave Runner (Hangelwellen, literally Hanging Waves) combined with the Jumping Spider appeared as the fourth obstacle of Stage One. After completing the Jumping Spider, competitors must transfer to a lache bar then transfer to the Hourglass-shaped board, which is similar with the one from Ninja Warrior France 4. Two competitors failed this part, including Benjamin Grams.

Ironically, while Ninja Warrior Germany's versions of Hourglass Drop did not involve an hourglass board (except for the Ninja Warrior Germany 4 version), this version of the Wave Runner did not involve a wavy board. Regardless, both of these obstacles had the local name of Hangelwellen.

Competitors' Success Rate[]

  • All results based on the NBC/Keshet 12 broadcast and external information found.

American Ninja Warrior[]

ANW Clears Attempts Percentage
ANW8 6 12 50%
ANW9 29 36 80.55%
USA vs. The World 3 5 6 83.33%
USA vs. The World 4 5 7 71.43%
Total 45 61 73.77%

Ninja Israel[]

NWI Clears Attempts Percentage
NWI2 1 1 100%
Total 1 1 100%
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