Bow Diddley (also known as Bo Diddley) is a recurring endurance challenge, that debuted in Survivor: South Pacific, and has since reappeared in Millennials vs. Gen X, Edge of Extinction, Survivor 42, and Survivor 47. A variant known as Hard to Handle was introduced in Cagayan, since reappearing in Cambodia and Survivor 41.
Rules[]
Castaways must stand on an angled balance beam while balancing a ball. At predetermined intervals, they would move further down to a narrower part of the beam, making it harder to keep steady. If they drop their ball or fall off their beam, they would be out of the challenge. The last person standing wins.
In Millennials vs. Gen X only, castaways had to move one foot down to the next, narrower section of the beam while their other foot stayed on the previous section. Every other time this challenge was used, castaways had to move both feet down to the next section.
The Bow Diddley version of this challenge has castaways balancing their ball on a rounded bow. The Hard to Handle variation instead has castaways balancing their ball on a stick with one hand, with the handle divided into three sections that they would have to move down to at each level of the challenge.
History[]
United States[]
The challenge debuted in South Pacific, where castaways were given the option to sit out and instead eat for the duration of the challenge. The ruling Upolu Alliance and John Cochran chose to sit out, leaving only Dawn Meehan, Jim Rice, and Whitney Duncan to battle it out. After Jim fell at the first level, Dawn dropped at the second level, giving Whitney immunity.
The Hard to Handle variation debuted in Cagayan, where it was played in windy conditions. The challenge came down to Spencer Bledsoe and Tasha Fox after over 30 minutes when another strong gust of wind blew, knocking off Spencer's ball and giving Tasha immunity.
In Cambodia, the Hard to Handle version was used as the first post-merge Immunity Challenge. In the end, it came down to Joe Anglim and Spencer Bledsoe, with Spencer losing his balance, giving Joe immunity.
The Bow Diddley version was used as the final twelve Immunity Challenge in Millennials vs. Gen X, with castaways again given the option to sit out for food. Will Wahl and Zeke Smith decided to sit out, while the rest of the tribe competed. In the end, it came down to Ken McNickle and Taylor Stocker, with Ken beating Taylor to win immunity.
In Edge of Extinction, the Bow Diddley variation appeared as the third individual Immunity Challenge. The challenge came down to a showdown between David Wright and Gavin Whitson, with Gavin outlasting David to win immunity.
The Hard to Handle version returned in Survivor 41 as the final eight Immunity Challenge. The challenge came down to Ricard Foyé and Xander Hastings. With the knowledge that he was on the chopping block, Ricard ultimately beat out Xander to win immunity.
The Bow Diddley version returned in Survivor 42 as the final eight Immunity Challenge. The final stage of the challenge came down to Jonathan Young and Lindsay Dolashewich; Jonathan's size made it difficult for him to keep balance on the narrowest portion of the balance beam, allowing Lindsay to outlast him and win her first individual Immunity Challenge.
In Survivor 47, the Bow Diddley variant appeared as an individual Immunity Challenge during the Earn the Merge phase. By winning the prior Reward Challenge, the members of the yellow team (and Genevieve Mushaluk, who sat out of the Reward Challenge by virtue of her Challenge Advantage) had the opportunity to compete for the Immunity Necklace. Ultimately, Kyle Ostwald beat out Sue Smey to secure his place on the merged tribe.
Australia[]
The Bow Diddley version appeared as the first individual Reward Challenge of Titans v Rebels. The newly merged tribe competed for a AUD60,000 cash prize, a night on a bed, and Safety Without Power at the first post-merge Tribal Council. After 30 minutes, Valeria Sizova ended up beating Scott Butler to win the challenge.
New Zealand[]
Winners[]
| Episode | Challenge Type | Winners |
|---|---|---|
| South Pacific "Cut Throat" |
Individual Immunity |  Whitney Duncan |
| Cagayan "Sitting in My Spy Shack" |
Individual Immunity |  Tasha Fox |
| Cambodia "Play to Win" |
Individual Immunity |  Joe Anglim |
| Millennials vs. Gen X "Still Throwin' Punches" |
Individual Immunity |  Ken McNickle |
| Edge of Extinction "Y'all Making Me Crazy" |
Individual Immunity |  Gavin Whitson |
| Survivor 41 "Baby with a Machine Gun" |
Individual Immunity |  Ricard Foyé |
| Survivor 42 "Tell a Good Lie, Not a Stupid Lie" |
Individual Immunity |  Lindsay Dolashewich |
| Survivor 47 "Feel the FOMO" |
Individual Immunity (Earn the Merge) |
 Kyle Ostwald |
| Episode | Challenge Type | Winners |
|---|---|---|
| Australian Survivor (2017) Episode 18 |
Individual Immunity |  Tessa O'Halloran |
| Titans v Rebels "Revenge Is a Dish Best Served Russian" |
Individual Reward/Immunity |  Valeria Sizova |
| Episode | Challenge Type | Winners |
|---|---|---|
| Nicaragua Episode 16 |
Individual Immunity |  Tom Paterson |
Gallery[]
Trivia[]
- This challenge has only appeared as an individual Immunity Challenge.
- David Wright, Kass McQuillen, Kelley Wentworth, Spencer Bledsoe, and Tasha Fox have participated in this challenge twice.
- Tasha won the challenge the first time she competed.
- Spencer finished the challenge as the runner-up both times he competed.
- South Pacific is the only time that this challenge did not reach its third level, with a winner being determined by the second level.
- The names used for this challenge are in some way musical references.
- Bow Diddley/Bo Diddley references American blues and rock and roll artist, Bo Diddley.
- Hard to Handle is a reference to the Otis Redding song of the same name.