Parents' Guide to World's Toughest Race: Eco-Challenge Fiji

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Common Sense Media Review

Melissa Camacho By Melissa Camacho , based on child development research. How do we rate?

age 12+

Epic reality competition is grueling, highlights teamwork.

Parents Need to Know

Why Age 12+?

Any Positive Content?

Parent and Kid Reviews

age 12+

Based on 1 parent review

What's the Story?

WORLD'S TOUGHEST RACE: ECO-CHALLENGE FIJI is an unscripted reality competition following the participants of the iconic Eco-Challenge Race hosted on and around the island of Fiji. Adventurer and survivalist Bear Grylls follows 66 teams from 30 different countries attempting to complete the 11-day, nearly 417-mile expedition. Teams must navigate dense tropical jungle, climb steep mountains, scale down dangerous cliffs, and cross dangerous bodies of water using only a map, a compass, and their smarts in order to hit each of the 31 checkpoints within the assigned time period. They must also locate five hidden medallions during the journey. The first team to cross the finish line wins $100,000. As each group pushes through the course, they must work together and support one another, because if one team member is unable to continue, the whole team is disqualified. Some are racing to reach the winners' podium, but others simply want to finish it in order to prove something to themselves and to the people back home. Regardless of why they're competing, all contestants must have the physical and mental fortitude to make it through.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say ( 1 ):
Kids say : Not yet rated

This intense series is a revival of the original World's Toughest Race Eco-Challenge that was created by Mike Burnett in 1995 and wrapped up in Fiji in 2002. While highlighting the leaders of the race throughout the event, the show celebrates the spirit and strength of everyone who attempts to make it through the rugged course, which is open to all experience levels. It also features some of Fiji's local communities, who share in the experience in different ways.

There are some intense situations as people inevitably experience mishaps, are injured, or are forced to overcome unexpected hurdles. It also offers a fair share of overdramatized moments designed to to keep people interested in what is otherwise an endless trail of people walking, biking, swimming, rappelling, and rowing their way across the island. And Bear Grylls can't help but show off some of his own skills as well. But if you like outdoor adventure series, World's Toughest Race: Eco-Challenge Fiji does a good job of fitting the bill.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about what motivates people to participate in extreme sports and other grueling events. Teams give different reasons for participating in World's Toughest Race: Eco-Challenge Fiji. Does the series do a good job of highlighting how meaningful these reasons are to them?

  • If given the opportunity, would you compete in this eco-challenge? What are the biggest obstacles you would have to overcome in order to push through it?

TV Details

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