Operation Balance Build is a recurring challenge of Survivor. It debuted in One World, and has since reappeared in Blood vs. Water, Millennials vs. Gen X, and Survivor 43.
Rules[]
The castaways have to attach a small wooden bowl to a prong at the end of a long pole to maneuver it through a metal structure that sits on a spring. Once they have the piece through the structure, they have to sit it at the top of their stack. The first castaway to stack all their bowls on top each other, or have the most bowls stacked by the end of a specified time limit win.
History[]
United States[]
In One World, the challenge was used as the Final Immunity Challenge, where Kim Spradlin beat Chelsea Meissner, Christina Cha, and Sabrina Thompson to win immunity.
In Blood vs. Water, the challenge was the first Redemption Island duel, between Candice Cody, Marissa Peterson, and Rupert Boneham. Candice and Rupert were close to finishing the duel when Rupert's stack toppled over. Candice cruised to finishing first, while Rupert was unable to recover, allowing Marissa to continue on.
In Millennials vs. Gen X, the challenge was once again used as the Final Immunity Challenge. After thirty minutes had elapsed, both Hannah Shapiro and Ken McNickle had ten bowls stacked. After a five-minute showdown, Ken managed to get seven bowls to Hannah's six, giving him the final immunity and a seat at the Final Tribal Council.
The challenge reappeared as the Final Immunity Challenge in Survivor 43. Mike Gabler lost his early lead when a gust of wind knocked over his tower, leaving Cassidy Clark and Owen Knight to compete for the win. With two bowls to go, Owen's tower tipped over, opening the window for Cassidy to complete her stack of fifteen bowls to win a seat at Final Tribal Council.
Australia[]
Quebec[]
South Africa[]
The challenge was played for immunity at the final five of Philippines, where the Araw tribe was challenged to stack ten bowls on their structures. The challenge came down to a race between Tom Swartz and Werner Joubert to stack their last bowl; at the last moment, Werner's stack fell, giving Tom his second win.
Winners[]
| Episode | Challenge Type | Winners | |
|---|---|---|---|
| One World "Perception Is Not Always Reality" |
Individual Immunity (Final Immunity) |
 Kim Spradlin | |
| Blood vs. Water "Rule in Chaos" |
Duel |  Candice Cody |
 Marissa Peterson |
| Millennials vs. Gen X "I'm Going for a Million Bucks" |
Individual Immunity (Final Immunity) |
 Ken McNickle | |
| Survivor 43 "Snap Some Necks and Cash Some Checks" |
Individual Immunity (Final Immunity) |
 Cassidy Clark | |
| Episode | Challenge Type | Winners |
|---|---|---|
| Champions v Contenders (2018) Episode 23 |
Individual Immunity |  Brian Lake |
| Champions v Contenders (2018) Episode 20 |
Duel |  Simon Black |
| Blood v Water Episode 9 |
Tribal Immunity |         Water |
| Episode | Challenge Type | Winners |
|---|---|---|
| Survivor Québec (2024) Episode 61 |
Individual Immunity |  Déborah De Braekeleer |
| Episode | Challenge Type | Winners |
|---|---|---|
| Philippines Episode 14 |
Individual Immunity |  Tom Swartz |
Gallery[]
Trivia[]
- Even though three castaways have been in two seasons where this challenge occurred, none of them have ever competed in this challenge.
- Ken McNickle is the only man to win this challenge.