Splash Back (also known as I Hold On, Back Splash, and Legends of the Fall) is a recurring individual endurance challenge that originated in Survivor: Nicaragua, and was modified for re-use in One World, Caramoan, and Island of the Idols. It later returned to its original concept in Blood vs. Water and Worlds Apart.
The challenge has also appeared in a tribal format in international seasons, with its debut in Koh-Lanta: Raja Ampat. This version was given the English title "Hangover" upon its appearance in Australian Survivor.
Rules[]
Each contestant holds onto a rope whilst leaning out over a pool of water and balancing on a small platform. At designated intervals, the contestants will be lowered, increasing the angle at which they hang over the water (either by moving their hands down the rope, or by a crank automatically lowering them). The last person holding on wins the challenge.
In the I Hold On variant of the challenge introduced in One World, the contestants stand facing the water.
History[]
United States[]
The challenge debuted in Nicaragua as an individual Immunity Challenge. The castaways held on to a knotted rope, moving down to the next knot at five minute intervals. Jane Bright held on the longest by outlasting Chase Rice to win immunity.
In One World, the challenge was again used for individual immunity. In this variation, players held on to a handle on a rope behind their backs, and a crank turned by host Jeff Probst lowered the contestants face-first towards the water. Kim Spradlin last beat Kat Edorsson to win immunity.
This modified variation appeared again in Caramoan as the final six Immunity Challenge. Dawn Meehan won the challenge, beating out Brenda Lowe to win immunity.
The original version of the challenge reappeared in Blood vs. Water. Monica Culpepper outlasted Tyson Apostol and Laura Morett to win her second individual immunity, as well as reward.
The challenge reappeared in Worlds Apart as the final seven Immunity Challenge. Carolyn Rivera last beat Tyler Fredrickson to win the challenge and immunity.
The One World variation was again used in Island of the Idols, with the last male and the last female standing both winning immunity. Aaron Meredith beat out Tommy Sheehan to win immunity for the males, while Missy Byrd outlasted Elizabeth Beisel to win immunity for the females.
Australia[]
In Australian Survivor (2017), the challenge was modified for tribal use as the final pre-merge Immunity Challenge. Holding onto a rope, five members of each tribe would stand on an A-frame and attempt to keep their balance. The last person left standing wins immunity for their tribe. Samatau won this challenge, sending Asaga to Tribal Council.
In Champions v Contenders (2018), the challenge was run in one-on-one matchups. The person who held on longer than their opponent scored a point for their tribe. The first tribe to win three points wins reward. The Contenders won the challenge and a Sunday roast.
In Blood v Water, the challenge appeared at the final seven as a Reward Challenge. Shay Lajoie outlasted the rest of the Lava tribe to win a spa day, which she shared Jordie Hansen and Josh Millgate, much to the chagrin of Chrissy Zaremba and KJ Austin, whom she had promised to share the reward.
The 2017 version of the challenge reappeared in Titans v Rebels as the eleventh Immunity Challenge, with seven members competing for each tribe. At regular intervals, the tribes would be instructed to scale higher up the A-frame, with anyone whose foot falls below the boundary line being eliminated. After 80 minutes, the challenge came down to the Titans' Aileen Chong against the Rebels' Kitty Blomfield and Rianna Bowley. After being instructed to continue the challenge using only one hand to hold onto the rope, Aileen outlasted Kitty and Rianna to win immunity for the Titans.
A new variant of the challenge was introduced as an Immunity Challenge at the final ten of Titans v Rebels. Each castaway had to place their feet on a rod as they gripped onto a rope, positioning themselves such that they dangle with their back parallel to the water. At regular intervals, they will move their hand lower down the rope, making it harder to keep balance. Eventually, the castaways had to use only one hand to continue the challenge. After one hour of discomfort, Rianna Bowley beat Alex Coe to win her second individual Immunity Challenge, shortly after Jonathan LaPaglia instructed them to move up the rope.
France[]
Mexico (Unofficial)[]
In La Isla 2012, it was used as the first individual Immunity Challenge of the season, with Julio César Frías being the inaugural winner of the challenge.
South Africa[]
In Philippines, the challenge appeared as the second individual Immunity Challenge. During the challenge, Nico Panagio offered chocolates, but no one forfeited the challenge to claim them. 10 minutes into the challenge, he offered pasta and wine, and the members of the majority alliance bailed and claimed the feast. Shortly thereafter, PK Phetoe let go, giving Katinka Oosthuizen her first individual win.
The challenge appeared in a modified format as the first individual Immunity Challenge of Return of the Outcasts. Standing on their toes, the Salan tribe held on to an overhead rope and had to maintain contact with the rope at all times. As the challenge progressed, the ropes would get shorter, making it harder for the castaways to keep their balance and endure the pain. After relieving himself early into the challenge, Phil Dickson pulled off an unlikely victory against Steffi Brink, winning the first individual Immunity Challenge of his career.
Winners[]
| Episode | Challenge Type | Winners | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nicaragua "Stuck in the Middle" |
Individual Immunity |  Jane Bright | |
| One World "It's Gonna Be Chaos" |
Individual Immunity |  Kim Spradlin | |
| Caramoan "Don't Say Anything About My Mom" |
Individual Immunity |  Dawn Meehan | |
| Blood vs. Water "Big Bad Wolf" |
Individual Reward/Immunity |  Monica Culpepper | |
| Worlds Apart "Holding On for Dear Life" |
Individual Immunity |  Carolyn Rivera | |
| Island of the Idols "We Made It to the Merge!" |
Individual Immunity |  Aaron Meredith |
 Missy Byrd |
| Episode | Challenge Type | Winners |
|---|---|---|
| Australian Survivor (2016) Episode 21 |
Individual Reward |  Sam Webb |
| Australian Survivor (2017) Episode 15 |
Tribal Immunity |         Samatau |
| Champions v Contenders (2018) Episode 12 |
Tribal Reward |        Contenders (2018) |
| Blood v Water Episode 21 |
Individual Reward |  Shay Lajoie |
| Titans v Rebels "It's Not Sarong, It's So Right" |
Tribal Immunity |         Titans |
| Titans v Rebels "The Wedge" |
Individual Immunity |  Rianna Bowley |
| Episode | Challenge Type | Winners | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Raja Ampat Episode 6 |
Tribal Immunity |         Mambok | ||
| Malaisie Episode 4 |
Tribal Reward |         Sungaï | ||
| Malaisie Episode 11 |
Individual Reward | Ugo Latriche | ||
| La Nouvelle Édition Episode 5 |
Individual Immunity |  Teheiura Teahui | ||
| Johor Episode 2 |
Tribal Immunity |          Lankawaï | ||
| Johor Episode 12 |
Individual Immunity | Marc Rambaud | ||
| Thaïlande Episode 12 |
Individual Reward |  Nicolas Rouyé | ||
| L'Île au Trésor Episode 11 |
Individual Immunity |  Stéphane Cipolla | ||
| Cambodge Episode 5 |
Tribal Reward |         Bokor | ||
| Le Combat des Héros Episode 2 |
Tribal Immunity |          Toa (Le Combat des Héros) | ||
| La Guerre des Chefs Episode 11 |
Individual Immunity |  Maxime Berthon | ||
| Les 4 Terres Episode 10 |
Individual Immunity |  Lola Labesse | ||
| Les Armes Secrètes Episode 7 |
Individual Immunity |  Jonathan Julien | ||
| La Légende Episode 2 |
Individual Immunity |  Clémence Castel |
 Jade Handi | |
| Le Totem Maudit Episode 2 |
Tribal Reward |        Turung | ||
        Nacpan | ||||
| Episode | Challenge Type | Winners |
|---|---|---|
| La Isla 2012 Cycle 5, Episode 19 |
Individual Immunity |  Julio César Frías |
| Episode | Challenge Type | Winners |
|---|---|---|
| Survivor Québec (2024) Episode 25 |
Tribal Immunity |        Bayani |
| Episode | Challenge Type | Winners |
|---|---|---|
| Philippines Episode 10 |
Individual Immunity |  Katinka Oosthuizen |
| Return of the Outcasts "Work for It" |
Individual Immunity |  Phil Dickson |
Gallery[]
Trivia[]
- This challenge has only been used for individual immunity.
- Brenda Lowe is the only contestant to compete in this challenge multiple times.
- Coincidentally, this was the last Immunity Challenge she competed in before being voted out.
- Aaron Meredith is the first man to win this challenge.
- However, this does not break the streak of women winning this challenge as Missy Byrd won it also.