Sea Legs (also known as Set Adrift, Balance of Power, Bermuda Triangle, Bermuda Triangles, and Bermuda Triangles Case) is a recurring challenge involving balance that debuted in Survivor: Marquesas and has since reappeared in Pearl Islands, Panama, Caramoan, Cagayan, Cambodia, Heroes vs. Healers vs. Hustlers, Winners at War, Survivor 42, and Survivor 46.
Rules[]
Each castaway must balance on a floating platform at sea for as long as possible. Additional rule stipulations may require the contestants to remain in a specific position (such as a crouch, as in Pearl Islands) or may increase the difficulty in increments (from Panama onwards). Since Caramoan, the floating platform has standardized to a pyramid with narrow footholds on either side of the structure. In this variant known as Bermuda Triangles, the castaways will move upwards at regular intervals, increasing the difficulty. The last person left standing wins.
An additional stipulation in Cambodia mandated that any castaway who made it to the third and final stage must balance with only one foot, similar to an unofficial rule made by Andrea Boehlke and Brenda Lowe to help decide who between them would win the challenge in Caramoan.
History[]
United States[]
In Marquesas, the challenge was the first individual Immunity Challenge after the merge. After an undisclosed amount of time, the challenge came down to John Carroll and Kathy Vavrick-O'Brien, with Kathy ultimately outlasting John after he accidentally touched his platform, giving her immunity.
In Pearl Islands, the challenge appeared as the Final Immunity Challenge where the castaways had to balance on a platform at sea using only hands and feet. After Sandra Diaz-Twine fell early on, Jon Dalton repeatedly attempted to make a deal with Lillian Morris. However, Lillian rebuffed him each time, and after 2 hours and 45 minutes, Jon lost his concentration, giving Lillian the final immunity.
In Panama, the challenge was again used as the Final Immunity Challenge. The castaways would balance on a larger platform and every fifteen minutes, would change for a smaller one. After 30 minutes Terry Deitz fell first when he had difficulty transitioning to the third platform. Aras Baskauskas and Danielle DiLorenzo then made a deal for a visibly struggling Aras to drop out and Danielle win if she took him to the end, giving Danielle immunity.
In Caramoan, the castaways had to stand on triangular-shaped platforms and move up a foothold after regular intervals. At various points, host Jeff Probst tempted the castaways with food to drop out. After 3 hours, the challenge came down to Andrea Boehlke and Brenda Lowe. The two made an agreement to stay on top of the platform with one foot to decide who would win. Brenda fell, giving Andrea immunity and a clue to a Hidden Immunity Idol.
In Cagayan, the castaways had to move to the next highest foothold after 15 minutes. After 30 minutes, the transition to the top of the platform and a large gust of wind eliminated every castaway except for Tony Vlachos and Woo Hwang. In the end, Woo outlasted Tony to win immunity.
In Cambodia, the challenge was played in heavy rain. At some point during the challenge, Jeff Probst offered the castaways an unspecified advantage (later revealed to be a Vote Steal) in the game if they jumped off their platform and be the first to reach their buoy. Stephen Fishbach outswam Spencer Bledsoe, earning the advantage. After 30 minutes, the remaining castaways were required to balance on only one foot, similar to Andrea Boehlke and Brenda Lowe's agreement in Caramoan. Shortly after, the challenge came down to Abi-Maria Gomes and Joe Anglim, with Joe outlasting Abi-Maria to win immunity.
In Heroes vs. Healers vs. Hustlers, the castaways were given the option to sit out of the challenge and feast on peanut butter and chocolate; Ben Driebergen, Devon Pinto, and Lauren Rimmer took this option. After over 20 minutes, the challenge came down to Ashley Nolan and Mike Zahalsky, with Ashley ultimately outlasting Mike to win immunity.
In Winners at War, in addition to individual immunity, the winner would also get one Fire Token. After transitioning to the top of the platform at the 15 minute mark, several castaways dropped out, leaving only Ben Driebergen and Kim Spradlin-Wolfe. Ultimately, Kim outlasted Ben to win immunity and a Fire Token.
In Survivor 42, the challenge was used as the final ten Immunity Challenge ahead of the Split Tribal Council. The Kula Kula tribe was split into two teams of five, with the last person standing from each tribe winning immunity and the last person standing overall winning reward for their team. Because of strong winds and turbulent waters, much of the tribe dropped out within two minutes. Hai Giang outlasted Romeo Escobar to win immunity on the orange team, while Jonathan Young outlasted Lindsay Dolashewich to win immunity on the blue team. Jonathan then outlasted Hai, winning reward and the right for the blue team to vote second.
The challenge appeared once again ahead of the Split Tribal Council of Survivor 46 under the same mechanics employed in Survivor 42. After half an hour, the castaways were instructed to continue the challenge on one foot. Shortly thereafter, Kenzie Petty outlasted Tiffany Nicole Ervin to win immunity on the orange team, but fell almost immediately after Tiffany, hence giving the purple team the reward. Eventually, Tevin Davis fell off his stand, allowing Maria Shrime Gonzalez to win individual immunity. As part of the reward, the purple team attended Tribal Council second, while the person voted out of the orange team would not become a member of the jury.
Australia[]
France[]
Quebec[]
The challenge appeared as the third individual Immunity Challenge of Survivor Québec (2023). Jean-Junior Morin won his second Immunity Challenge.
South Africa[]
In Survivor South Africa: Santa Carolina, the original version of the challenge was used as the Final Immunity Challenge, as the final three of Kululama stood on floating platforms for as long as they could without losing their balance. After about 20 minutes, GiGi van Schalkwyk lost her balance, giving Ashley Hayden her record-breaking fifth immunity win.
The Bermuda Triangles variant of the challenge appeared as the first individual Immunity Challenge of Philippines. When the Araw tribe moved to the top of the pyramid at the 30-minute mark, only Chané Mynhardt, Toni Tebbutt, and Werner Joubert were able to make the transition, though the latter fell over shortly thereafter. 43 minutes into the challenge, Chané fell into the water, giving Toni the win.
Winners[]
| Episode | Challenge Type | Winners | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marquesas "True Lies" |
Individual Immunity |  Kathy Vavrick-O'Brien | |
| Pearl Islands "Flames and Endurance" |
Individual Immunity (Final Immunity) |
 Lillian Morris | |
| Panama "The Final Showdown" |
Individual Immunity (Final Immunity) |
 Danielle DiLorenzo | |
| Caramoan "The Beginning of the End" |
Individual Reward/Immunity |  Andrea Boehlke | |
| Cagayan "Head of the Snake" |
Individual Immunity |  Woo Hwang | |
| Cambodia "Witches Coven" |
Individual Immunity |  Joe Anglim | |
| Heroes vs. Healers vs. Hustlers "Buy One, Get One Free" |
Individual Immunity |  Ashley Nolan | |
| Winners at War "War Is Not Pretty" |
Individual Immunity |  Kim Spradlin-Wolfe | |
| Survivor 42 "Game of Chicken" |
Individual Immunity |  Hai Giang |
 Jonathan Young |
| Team Reward |     Drea, Jonathan, Lindsay, Maryanne, Tori | ||
| Survivor 46 "Episode Several" |
Individual Immunity |  Kenzie Petty |
 Maria Shrime Gonzalez |
| Team Reward |      Charlie, Liz, Maria, Soda, Tevin, Venus | ||
| Episode | Challenge Type | Winners |
|---|---|---|
| Australian Survivor (2002) "Cockiness Comes to an End" |
Individual Immunity |  Sciona Browne |
| Celebrity Survivor Australia Episode 12 |
Individual Immunity (Final Immunity) |
 Justin Melvey |
| Australian Survivor (2016) Episode 23 |
Individual Immunity |  Lee Carseldine |
| Episode | Challenge Type | Winners |
|---|---|---|
| Bocas del Toro Episode 8 |
Individual Immunity |  Hélène Patry |
| Panama Episode 7 |
Individual Immunity |
 Amélie Grégoire |
| La Guerre des Chefs Episode 8 |
Individual Reward |  Maxime Berthon |
| Episode | Challenge Type | Winners |
|---|---|---|
| Survivor Québec (2023) Episode 49 |
Individual Immunity |  Jean-Junior Morin |
| Episode | Challenge Type | Winners |
|---|---|---|
| Santa Carolina Episode 13 |
Individual Immunity (Final Immunity) |
 Ashley Hayden |
| Philippines Episode 9 |
Individual Immunity |  Toni Tebbutt |
Gallery[]
Trivia[]
- This challenge has only been used as an individual Immunity Challenge.
- Jeremy Collins, Sarah Lacina, Spencer Bledsoe, Tasha Fox, and Tony Vlachos are the only castaways to compete in this challenge twice.
- The shortest duration this challenge has run for was 4 minutes, in Survivor 42.[1]
References[]