The Rowing the Boat Challenge was first declined by the TV producers, three times. It’s boring and not TV worthy they said. Yes, they were wrong and we were right. It was one of the most challenging and exhausting disciplines there was at Bali. A Challenge invented by our Dutch Marines expert Eric and an amazing memorable Challenge it was. Even the camera crew were amazed by this challenge. So much power, effort, sensation and stamina in such a small pool of water… It brought UFC amazing footage.
Two boats tied to each other by a 20 Ft. rope and each boat rows opposite from the other to the bell. Six contestants in each boat rowing with all the force they had, trying to find that specific rhythm to keep the tension on the rope and pulling the other boat backwards. The distance to the bell was only 15 Ft. but loosing just one strike with a peddle would set you back 5 Ft. One team member had to jump to the bell when within range, but event that became a challenge.
Picture by Esther Hereijgers
Several peddles broke due to the amazing force in the water to start the boat going forwards. Once the teams had their first set, they knew how to deal with the boat and the peddles, before that moment it was trying to figure out how to move forwards as fast as they could. And that’s one of the features of the Ultimate Forces Challenge, we’re just not going to tell you what you can expect, so you don’t have a strategy, that’s the challenge.
Picture by Esther Hereijgers
Rowing the Boat was a knockout challenge for all the teams against each other and they’ve already lost both Dutch teams so it would be a lot easier in how many knockout sessions just one team would win. After each heat the best team challenged the other best team. The secret was discovered soon, you had to find the exact rhythm with all team members and you would win with easy. But once you were going backwards, it was even more exhausting to stop that and find your way going forwards.
Picture by Esther Hereijgers
Would there be a similar Rowing the Boat challenge in the next UFC? Maybe but it would work out different for sure, because we don’t want give you the opportunity to prepare.
Picture by Esther Hereijgers
Picture by Esther Hereijgers
A true love for sports
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