Dive Masters

Dive Masters
Recurring Survivor Challenge
Description:	A recurring water challenge
Appearances:	Vanuatu Micronesia Philippines Cagayan Millennials vs. Gen X Heroes vs. Healers vs. Hustlers Ghost Island Edge of Extinction

Dive Masters (also known as Diver Down, Deep in Thought, Octopus' Garden, Holy Diver, Crossroads, Coming Up for Air, and A Bit Dinghy) is a recurring challenge that originated in Survivor: Vanuatu and has since reappeared in Micronesia, Philippines, Cagayan, Millennials vs. Gen X, Heroes vs. Healers vs. Hustlers, Ghost Island, and Edge of Extinction.

Rules

Each tribe must retrieve items attached to an underwater rope, with each progressive item being deeper than the one before it. The first tribe to retrieve all their items and finish a final task wins the challenge.

History

The challenge debuted as the first Reward Challenge after the Tribe Switch in Vanuatu. The contestants had to pull themselves along a vertical underwater rope, retrieving markers along the way. After ten minutes, the tribe with the most markers won Pringles, beer, and a trip to the waterfalls of Vanuatu. Although the challenge was closely fought by both tribes, Lopevi ultimately collected the most markers, winning the challenge and reward.

In Micronesia, four members of each tribe had to dive down to a 9.1 m long steel cage that contained coconuts painted in tribe colors and with letters on them. Once all the coconuts had been retrieved and put in a floating bin, the bin had to be pulled back to shore. The four remaining castaways would unscramble a word puzzle using the letters on the coconuts. Malakal defeated Airai after Malakal's strongest swimmer, Ozzy Lusth, took his time to move all the coconuts to the end of the steel cage for easier retrieval to win a reward of chickens.

The challenge reappeared in Philippines, as an Immunity Challenge. One by one, the castaways, had to dive down and retrieve eight wheel-shaped puzzle pieces clipped to an underwater rope. Once all were collected, they used the puzzle pieces to identify a mystery eight-letter word ("treasure"). Kalabaw solved the puzzle first, and was soon followed by Tandang, sending Matsing to Tribal Council for the third straight time. In addition to immunity, Kalabaw and Tandang also got fishing gear, while Kalabaw, who finished first, also earned a canoe.

In Cagayan, the challenge was once again used as an Immunity Challenge. One member from each tribe would dive to retrieve a buoy in the water. Once all five buoys had been brought back to the platform, one tribe member had to shoot the buoys into a basket out in the ocean. Solana easily cruised to victory, with the challenge coming down between Aparri and Luzon. Though most of Aparri was trying to throw the challenge, several members of Luzon, most notably J'Tia Taylor, struggled. This allowed Aparri target Cliff Robinson to unknowingly save himself, sending Luzon to Tribal Council again.

In Millennials vs. Gen X, the challenge was the first Immunity Challenge following the tribe expansion. All members of each tribe had to dive to retrieve a buoy in the water, then swim to a platform. Once all five buoys were on the platform, one tribe member had to shoot the buoys into a basket out in the ocean. The tribes were given the possibility to attempt to hook the basket closer to the platform, making the shooting easier. Vanua quickly fell behind due to CeCe Taylor and David Wright both taking a lot of time to bring their buoys to the platform, allowing Ikabula and Takali to win immunity before Vanua could toss a single buoy into their basket.

In Heroes vs. Healers vs. Hustlers, three members of each tribe had to swim out to a floating net ring. They would then have to dive down and maneuver sets of puzzle pieces and bring them to the remaining two members. The two remaining members then would then use the pieces solve a signpost puzzle featuring several previous Survivor locations. Soko came from behind to take first place, followed by Levu, sending Yawa to their first Tribal Council.

In Ghost Island, two pairs from each tribe had to race through a series of obstacles in the water. They then had to dive to release two sets of buoys. Another member then need to gather up all of the marked buoys to the finish, where the last four members needed to shoot all eight in a basket. Malolo fell behind after James Lim struggled to release the second set of buoys 8 feet below before a reluctant Donathan Hurley managed to do so. This gave Naviti time to get all of their buoys in easily, sending Malolo back to Tribal Council.

In Edge of Extinction, each tribe member must swim out to a ramp, then dive into the water to release two buoy puzzle pieces. Once they have their puzzle pieces, they must pull a pontoon to a platform, where they must use the pieces they collected, and two additional pieces already on the platform, to build a buoy pyramid. Although members from all three tribes struggled to release their buoy puzzle pieces, it was the Lesu tribe who had the most difficulty, allowing the Kama and Manu tribes to pull ahead. Though with Kama and Manu unable to figure out the puzzle, Lesu was eventually able to collect their pieces and catch up. Kama eventually finished their puzzle first, and immediately started coaching their former tribemates on Manu. However, Lesu, with the benefit of being in between the other two tribes, also started copying Kama's puzzle and finished theirs before Manu, allowing them to win their first immunity and sending Manu to Tribal Council.

Winners

Episode	Challenge Type	Winner
Vanuatu "Earthquakes and Shake-Ups!"	Tribal Reward	Lopevi
Micronesia "That's Baked, Barbecued and Fried!"	Tribal Reward	Malakal
Philippines "This Isn't a 'We' Game"	Tribal Reward/Immunity	Kalabaw
		Tandang
Cagayan "Our Time to Shine"	Tribal Immunity	Solana
		Aparri
Millennials vs. Gen X "Idol Search Party"	Tribal Immunity	Ikabula
		Takali
Heroes vs. Healers vs. Hustlers "I'm a Wild Banshee"	Tribal Reward/Immunity	Soko
		Levu
Ghost Island "Can You Reverse the Curse?"	Tribal Reward/Immunity	Naviti
Edge of Extinction "It's Like the Worst Cocktail Party Ever"	Tribal Immunity	Kama
		Lesu

Gallery

Rory competes for Yasur (Vanuatu).

The challenge in Vanuatu.

The challenge in Micronesia.

Denise competes for Matsing in Philippines

Tandang solves their puzzle (Philippines).

The challenge in Cagayan.

Deep in thought cagayan 2.png

Aparri competes in Cagayan.

Soko competes in Heroes vs. Healers vs. Hustlers

Levu solves their puzzle (Heroes vs. Healers vs. Hustlers).

Naviti shoots baskets in Ghost Island.

Kama competes in Edge of Extinction

The tribes work on their puzzle (Edge of Extinction).

Trivia

• Ami Cusack, David Wright, Eliza Orlins, and Jonathan Penner have all competed in this challenge twice.
  • Jonathan won both times, while Ami, David, and Eliza have only won once.
• The eventual runner-up has always been on the winning tribe.
  • Denise Stapley is the only Sole Survivor to compete in this challenge and not win.