Wicker Flicker (also known as What's for Launch?, Cross Fire, Slosh Pit, Water Mortar, Beach Balls, and Philiping Out) is a physical challenge in Survivor. The challenge debuted in Survivor: Thailand, and has been adapted in many subsequent seasons.
Rules[]
Each tribe selects a given number of people to shoot balls from a slingshot into an open field. The remaining contestants spread out to designated locations and compete to catch the balls with either wicker baskets, a handheld net, or their bare hands. Every time a ball is caught (including balls fired by the opposing tribe) that tribe scores a point, and the first tribe to reach a given score wins the challenge.
History[]
United States[]
This challenge debuted in Survivor: Thailand as a Reward Challenge. One member from each tribe was chosen to fire the slingshots, while the others attempted to catch their tribes' ball in a wicker basket. In this version, only balls fired by one's own tribe would contribute to the score. Sook Jai won the challenge and an authentic Thai feast.
Survivor: Guatemala introduced the use of nets for catching the launched balls when the challenge appeared for immunity as What's For Launch?. The first tribe to catch five balls won the challenge. Nakúm won the challenge and immunity.
In Survivor: Panama, the challenge was called Cross Fire and was used as a tribal reward. Three members of each tribe were selected as launchers, while the remaining four lined up on a balance beam in the water and attempted to catch the launched ball with their bare hands. La Mina was the first tribe to score five catches and won a collection of camp equipment (tarp, rope, blankets, pillows, water cans, and fuel). As part of the Exile Island twist, they sent Bruce Kanegai into exile.
The challenge was next featured as an individual Reward Challenge in Survivor: Fiji, under the name Slosh Pit. The contestants were randomly divided into two teams of four and fought to catch the fired balls in baskets. Alex Angarita, Dreamz Herd, Earl Cole, and Stacy Kimball won the reward: a spa day at a local resort.
The challenge, here known as Water Mortar, was first used for immunity in Survivor: Tocantins. This season also introduced the handheld nets that have been used in all subsequent versions of the challenge. The tribes alternated firing a ball across a shallow pool of water, with the first tribe to make five catches winning. Notably, J.T. Thomas lost a tooth while scoring a point for his tribe. However, Timbira won the challenge and immunity.
In Survivor: Redemption Island, the challenge was used as a combined Reward/Immunity Challenge and was played on the beachside. Ometepe was the first tribe to score five catches, winning immunity and a picnic at San Juan del Sur.
The challenge reappeared (renamed Philipping Out) as an Immunity Challenge in Survivor: Philippines. Denise Stapley and Lisa Whelchel were selected to fire the slingshots for Kalabaw and Tandang, respectively. The evenly matched challenge ended when Malcolm Freberg scored the final catch, winning immunity for Tandang, 5 to 4.
The challenge reappeared in Survivor: Worlds Apart and as the first Reward Challenge after the tribe switch. The tribes launched balls into the ocean where their tribemates attempted to catch a ball. The first tribe to reach five points won. Escameca ended up beating Nagarote to win a reward of cooking supplies and sausages.
Australia[]
New Zealand[]
South Africa[]
In Island of Secrets, the three tribes competed for a reward of donuts, coffee, and tea. The "band of misfits" on Laumei pulled off an underdog victory and scored themselves the treats.
Winners[]
| Episode | Challenge Type | Winners |
|---|---|---|
| Thailand "The Power of One" |
Tribal Reward |       Sook Jai |
| Guatemala "Crocs, Cowboys and City Slickers" |
Tribal Immunity |        Nakúm |
| Panama "Crazy Fights, Snake Dinners" |
Tribal Reward |        La Mina |
| Fiji "Blackmail or Betrayal" |
Team Reward |     Alex, Dreamz, Earl, Stacy |
| Tocantins "You're Going to Want That Tooth" |
Tribal Immunity |       Timbira |
| Redemption Island "Their Red-Headed Stepchild" |
Tribal Reward/Immunity |       Ometepe |
| Philippines "Down and Dirty" |
Tribal Immunity |        Tandang |
| Worlds Apart "We're Finally Playing Some Survivor" |
Tribal Reward |        Escameca |
| Episode | Challenge Type | Winners |
|---|---|---|
| Australian Survivor (2016) Episode 19 |
Team Reward |     Brooke, El, Lee, Sam |
| Episode | Challenge Type | Winners |
|---|---|---|
| Survivor Québec (2024) Episode 31 |
Tribal Immunity |        Bayani |
| Episode | Challenge Type | Winners |
|---|---|---|
| Island of Secrets "Let Them Play Barbie and Ken" |
Tribal Reward |     Laumei |
Gallery[]
Trivia[]
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References[]