The Ultimate Surfer
By Melissa Camacho,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Surfers ride the waves in catty competition.
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The Ultimate Surfer
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What's the Story?
THE ULTIMATE SURFER is a reality competition that features some of the United States' top up-and-coming surfers vying for cash and a spot on the World Surf League circuit. Hosted by Jesse Palmer, the contest features 14 male and female surfers staying at the Surf Ranch, a private inland surfing laboratory built by 11-time world surfing champion Kelly Slater. Each athlete is paired with a contestant from the opposite sex, and as a team they compete in surfing challenges that test their skills. As they compete, commentators Erin Coscarelli and Joe Turpel offer their observations. The team that wins a challenge remains in the game, while two other teams battle it out in an elimination round. The teams and the challenges may change throughout the competition, but the male and female surfer who doesn't wipe out by the end each wins $100K and three wild card entries on the WSL tour.
Is It Any Good?
The mildly entertaining series features talented surfers riding artificially generated waves for a chance at cash and a shot at a world tour. While some of the drama comes from watching these folks compete in their sport and show off their individual talents, it also features lots of catty behavior and alliance-making as the contestants do whatever they can to stay in the game. The strategies used to win are predictable, but if you enjoy surfing, The Ultimate Surfer may be worth checking out.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the way surfing, and surf culture, has historically been portrayed in media. What are some of the stereotypes associated with the surfing community? Have these representations changed over the years?
Surfing is now an Olympic event, but is it always treated as a serious sport? Do programs like The Ultimate Surfer help bring attention to the skill and and training necessary to be a competitive surfer? Or is it just meant to be reality entertainment?
TV Details
- Premiere date: August 23, 2021
- Cast: Jesse Palmer , Erin Coscarelli , Joe Turpel
- Network: ABC
- Genre: Reality TV
- Topics: Sports and Martial Arts
- TV rating: TV-PG
- Last updated: February 28, 2022
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