The Ultimate Surfer

The Ultimate Surfer, an eight-episode series, gathers some of the world's best amateur surfers to live and train together as they battle it out on the consistent and perfect waves created at the "Surf Ranch" in Lemoore, California. The contestants compete in team and individual challenges, focusing on specific elements of surfing, such as, barrels, cutbacks, turns, and front and back-side surfing where they will compete for the highest score by the judges.

Weekly eliminations will leave two men and two women as finalists. They can either form alliances or rivalries by sending their fellow surfers into a "surf-off", where they must surf at nighttime to get the best score to move on in the competition.

The winner's prize is $100,000 and an opportunity to compete on the WSL Championship Tour, the pinnacle of professional surfing, as well as earn the title of "The Ultimate Surfer".{{Cite web|url=https://www.worldsurfleague.com/the-ultimate-surfer|title=The Ultimate Surfer on ABC}}

On November 13, 2019, it was announced that ABC had ordered the series, with Kelly Slater as special correspondent. Craig Piligian, Erik Logan and Dana White served as executive producers.{{cite press release|title=ABC Makes Waves with "Ultimate Surfer," A New Competition Series from 11-Time World Surf League Champion Kelly Slater|url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news/2019/11/13/abc-makes-waves-with-ultimate-surfer-a-new-competition-series-from-11-time-world-surf-league-champion-kelly-slater-291201/20191113abc04/|publisher=ABC|via=The Futon Critic|date=November 13, 2019|access-date=August 10, 2021}} On April 7, 2021, it was announced that the series would premiere on August 16, 2021,{{cite press release|title=ABC Announces Summer 2021 Premiere Dates|url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news/2021/04/07/abc-announces-summer-2021-premiere-dates-957113/20210407abc01/|publisher=ABC|via=The Futon Critic|date=April 7, 2021|access-date=August 10, 2021}} later being rescheduled to August 23, 2021.{{cite press release|title=Revised Premiere Dates for ABC Summer Series "The Ultimate Surfer," "Press Your Luck," "The $100,000 Pyramid" and "Card Sharks"|url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news/2021/04/28/revised-premiere-dates-for-abc-summer-series-the-ultimate-surfer-press-your-luck-the-100000-pyramid-and-card-sharks-51515/20210428abc01/|publisher=ABC|via=The Futon Critic|date=April 28, 2021|access-date=August 10, 2021}} On May 6, 2021, it was announced that Jesse Palmer would host the show, with Erin Coscarelli and Joe Turpel serving as commentators.

On March 30, 2022, it was announced that the series has been cancelled after one season.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2022/03/the-ultimate-surfer-abc-cancelled-1234991253/|title=The Ultimate Surfer: ABC Cancels Competition Series|work=Deadline Hollywood|author=Peter White|date=March 30, 2022|access-date=March 30, 2022}}

The surfers were revealed on May 6, 2021.{{cite press release|title=ABC Announces the Cast of "The Ultimate Surfer" and Debuts Key Art|url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news/2021/05/06/abc-announces-the-cast-of-the-ultimate-surfer-and-debuts-key-art-254212/20210506abc01/|publisher=ABC|via=The Futon Critic|date=May 6, 2021|access-date=August 10, 2021}}

:{{Color box|#90EE90|Winner|border=darkgray}} The contestant won the competition.

:{{Color box|#E59866|Runner-up|border=darkgray}} The contestant came in second place in the competition.

:{{Color box|#FFFF00|Win|border=darkgray}} The contestant won the surfing competition with their partner.

:{{Color box|#6495ed|Nom|border=darkgray}} The contestant was nominated to surf in the surf off.

:{{Color box|#FF6E4A|Elim|border=darkgray}} The contestant was eliminated in the surf off.

:{{Color box|#ADD8E6|In|border=darkgray}} The contestant won their way back into the competition.

:{{Color box|violet|Out|border=darkgray}} The contestant failed to return into the competition.

{{Episode table|background=#53C8E9|overall=5|title=25|titleR={{cite web|title=ULTIMATE SURFER, THE (ABC)|url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/showatch/ultimate-surfer/listings/|work=The Futon Critic|access-date=September 8, 2021}}{{cite web|title=Ultimate Surfer Episode Guide|url=https://tvlistings.gracenote.com/overview-affiliates.html?programSeriesId=SH03366013&tabName=guide&season=1|website=Zap2it| date=September 2017 |access-date=August 13, 2021}}|airdate=12|airdateR=|prodcode=|prodcodeR=|viewers=10|country=U.S.|episodes=

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 1

|Title = Welcome to the Surf Ranch

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2021|8|23}}

|ProdCode = 101

|Viewers = 1.43{{cite web|url=https://showbuzzdaily.com/articles/showbuzzdailys-top-150-monday-cable-originals-network-finals-8-23-2021.html|title=Top 150 Monday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 8.23.2021|work=Showbuzz Daily|last=Metcalf|first=Mitch|author-link=Mitch Metcalf|date=August 24, 2021|access-date=August 24, 2021}}

|ShortSummary = The 14 up-and-coming surfers arrive at the Kelly Slater's state-of-the-art WSL Surf Ranch in Lemoore, California. After the men and women partner up, the newly formed teams compete in their first Beach Battle in order to get a prize and, more importantly, to earn extra time on the Surf Ranch wave. During the Wave Challenge, they will get judged on their turns. Two surfers will be eliminated in the Surf-off while riding the wave under the lights at night.

|LineColor = 53C8E9

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 2

|Title = Caught Up in Chick Drama

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2021|8|24}}

|ProdCode = 102

|Viewers = 1.32{{cite web|url=https://showbuzzdaily.com/articles/showbuzzdailys-top-150-tuesday-cable-originals-network-finals-8-24-2021.html|title=Top 150 Tuesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 8.24.2021|work=Showbuzz Daily|last=Metcalf|first=Mitch|author-link=Mitch Metcalf|date=August 25, 2021|access-date=August 25, 2021}}

|ShortSummary = Alliances and rivalries form with the 12 remaining surfers as they go into the Beach Battle. The must hold their breath and a weight in an underwater buoy race around the ranch pool. During the Wave Challenge, they have to show-off their backside techniques on the wave.

|LineColor = 53C8E9

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 3

|Title = Nama-Stay off My Barrel

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2021|8|30}}

|ProdCode = 103

|Viewers = 1.38{{cite web|url=https://showbuzzdaily.com/articles/showbuzzdailys-top-150-monday-cable-originals-network-finals-8-30-2021.html|title=Top 150 Monday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 8.30.2021|work=Showbuzz Daily|last=Metcalf|first=Mitch|author-link=Mitch Metcalf|date=August 31, 2021|access-date=August 31, 2021}}

|ShortSummary = It's all about balance and barrels for the ten remaining surfers. In the Beach Battle, they must test their strength and stamina to stay on a rolling barrel. During the Wave Challenge, the surfers are judged on how well they can get barrelled in the wave.

|LineColor = 53C8E9

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 4

|Title = Party Wave: Risk It for the Biscuit

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2021|8|31}}

|ProdCode = 104

|Viewers = 1.14{{cite web|url=https://showbuzzdaily.com/articles/showbuzzdailys-top-150-tuesday-cable-originals-network-finals-8-31-2021.html|title=Tuesday 8.31.2021 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals|work=Showbuzz Daily|last=Metcalf|first=Mitch|author-link=Mitch Metcalf|date=September 1, 2021|access-date=September 1, 2021}}

|ShortSummary = The remaining eight surfers hop on their surfboards for their next Beach Battle; a "paddle battle", the ultimate tug-of-war in the water where they must paddle on their boards attached to a rope to a buoy before sending the other team to the dock. The winners receive a sustainable paddleboard. Two teams must swap out partners going into the next competition. Kelly announces the Wave Challenge; the crossover or "party wave", where the surfers have to ride the same wave together and choreograph synchronized runs in order to move on.

|LineColor = 53C8E9

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 5

|Title = A Little Game of This

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2021|9|6}}

|ProdCode = 105

|Viewers = 1.27{{cite web|url=https://showbuzzdaily.com/articles/showbuzzdailys-monday-9-6-2021-top-150-cable-originals-network-finals.html|title=Monday 9.6.2021 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals|work=Showbuzz Daily|last=Metcalf|first=Mitch|author-link=Mitch Metcalf|date=September 8, 2021|access-date=September 8, 2021}}

|ShortSummary = The six remaining surfers, who are at the halfway point, are surprised by some old "friends" who force them to up their game. They have a "chillax" day while the second chance surfers get new teams to compete with in the wild card wave challenge to get a shot of redemption. The two winning teams then get to night surf against each other in an individual surf-off. The male and female surfer with the highest score will be back in the competition and the lowest score will have to leave for a second time.

|LineColor = 53C8E9

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 6

|Title = Will You Accept This Wave?

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2021|9|7}}

|ProdCode = 106

|Viewers = 1.27{{cite web|url=https://showbuzzdaily.com/articles/showbuzzdailys-tuesday-9-7-2021-top-150-cable-originals-network-finals.html|title=Tuesday 9.7.2021 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals|work=Showbuzz Daily|last=Metcalf|first=Mitch|author-link=Mitch Metcalf|date=September 9, 2021|access-date=September 9, 2021}}

|ShortSummary = Back to eight, the surfers go on a "surf date" by giving surf lessons to Hannah Ann Sluss and Mike Johnson from Bachelor Nation who must decide after which one will accept the red surf leash to move on. They're rewarded with a day glow party and night surf session. Kelly gives them the surfers their weekly technique; "floaters", riding or floating atop the lip of the wave. The surfers will then be judged on length of time floating on the lip and creativity around it during the Wave Challenge. Two more surfers are eliminated in the Surf-off.

|LineColor = 53C8E9

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 7

|Title = Poke the Bear

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2021|9|14}}

|ProdCode = 107

|Viewers = 1.32{{cite web|url=https://showbuzzdaily.com/articles/showbuzzdailys-tuesday-9-14-2021-top-150-cable-originals-network-finals.html|title=Tuesday 9.14.2021 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals|work=Showbuzz Daily|last=Metcalf|first=Mitch|author-link=Mitch Metcalf|date=September 15, 2021|access-date=September 15, 2021}}

|ShortSummary = Jesse challenges the six remaining surfers to face-off in a "Surf Combine", where they paddle, duck-dive and race into a wetsuit in order to be awarded extra waves and win an electric skateboard. Kelly gives them this week's Wave Challenge technique; "best maneuver", tricks like rotations, airs, flips, and rodeos (spins) in order to get the highest score. To help the competitors, WSL Championship tour surfer Filipe Toledo gives them pro tips for the semi-finals.

|LineColor = 53C8E9

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 8

|Title = The Ultimate Surfers

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2021|9|21}}

|ProdCode = 108

|Viewers = 1.14{{cite web|url=https://showbuzzdaily.com/articles/showbuzzdailys-tuesday-9-21-2021-top-150-cable-originals-network-finals.html|title=Tuesday 9.21.2021 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals|work=Showbuzz Daily|last=Metcalf|first=Mitch|author-link=Mitch Metcalf|date=September 22, 2021|access-date=September 22, 2021}}

|ShortSummary = The last four surfers (two men and two women) meet in the final showdown. Kelly surprises them in person with a coaching session on the wave. Then, Jesse "kidnaps" them with blindfolds and drives them back to the Surf Ranch in order to relieve their stress with a spa day. The finalists go into Ultimate Surf-off with three waves and the highest scoring wave will count. Joining the judges are all the eliminated surfers and Erik Logan, CEO of the World Surf League. The man and the woman with the best score will be crowned The Ultimate Surfer, awarded the $100,000 prize money and a wild card spot on the WSL Championship Tour.

|LineColor = 53C8E9

}}

}}

{{Television episode ratings

| title1 = Welcome to the Surf Ranch

| date1 = August 23, 2021

| rs1 = 0.3/3

| viewers1 = 1.43

| dvr1 = n/a

| dvrv1 = n/a

| total1 = n/a

| totalv1 = n/a

| title2 = Caught Up in Chick Drama

| date2 = August 24, 2021

| rs2 = 0.3/3

| viewers2 = 1.32

| dvr2 = n/a

| dvrv2 = n/a

| total2 = n/a

| totalv2 = n/a

| title3 = Nama-Stay off My Barrel

| date3 = August 30, 2021

| rs3 = 0.3/3

| viewers3 = 1.38

| dvr3 = n/a

| dvrv3 = n/a

| total3 = n/a

| totalv3 = n/a

| title4 = Party Wave: Risk It for the Biscuit

| date4 = August 31, 2021

| rs4 = 0.2/2

| viewers4 = 1.14

| dvr4 = n/a

| dvrv4 = n/a

| total4 = n/a

| totalv4 = n/a

| title5 = A Little Game of This

| date5 = September 6, 2021

| rs5 = 0.3/3

| viewers5 = 1.27

| dvr5 = n/a

| dvrv5 = n/a

| total5 = n/a

| totalv5 = n/a

| title6 = Will You Accept This Wave?

| date6 = September 7, 2021

| rs6 = 0.2/2

| viewers6 = 1.27

| dvr6 = n/a

| dvrv6 = n/a

| total6 = n/a

| totalv6 = n/a

| title7 = Poke the Bear

| date7 = September 14, 2021

| rs7 = 0.3/3

| viewers7 = 1.32

| dvr7 = n/a

| dvrv7 = n/a

| total7 = n/a

| totalv7 = n/a

| title8 = The Ultimate Surfers

| date8 = September 21, 2021

| rs8 = 0.3/2

| viewers8 = 1.14

| dvr8 = 0.0

| dvrv8 = 0.30

| total8 = 0.3

| totalv8 = 1.44{{cite web|last=Berman|first=Marc|title=Network Ratings Scorecard: CBS and NBC Top First Tuesday of the New Season|url=https://programminginsider.com/network-ratings-scorecard-cbs-and-nbc-top-first-tuesday-of-the-new-season/|work=Programming Insider|date=September 22, 2021|access-date=November 30, 2021}}{{efn|name=a|Live+7 ratings were not available, so Live+3 ratings have been used instead.}}

}}

{{notelist}}

{{Portal|Television|United States}}

• The Ultimate Fighter

{{Reflist}}

• {{Official website|https://abc.com/shows/the-ultimate-surfer}}
• {{IMDb title|11301420}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ultimate Surfer}}

Category:2020s American reality television series

Category:2021 American television series debuts

Category:2021 American television series endings

Category:American Broadcasting Company reality television shows

Category:American English-language television shows

Category:Sports entertainment

Category:Surfing competitions

Category:Surfing mass media

Category:Television shows filmed in California

Category:World Surf League