Ultimate Surfer Competition Series to Land on ABC

ABC has picked up Ultimate Surfer, a new competition series from the 11-time World Surf League (WSL) champion Kelly Slater.

The eight-episode series will gather some of the world’s greatest up-and-coming surfers to train and live together as they battle it out at the WSL’s Surf Ranch in Lemoore, California. Production will begin in 2020, with an airdate to be announced later this season. Slater will serve as on-air talent and special correspondent for the show.

In Ultimate Surfer, men and women will compete in individual and team challenges focused on specific surfing disciplines to survive the weekly eliminations. The two remaining men and women finalists will vie for the male and female titles of the “Ultimate Surfer” and the opportunity to compete on the WSL World Tour. Lionsgate’s Pilgrim Media Group and WSL Studios are producing the series.

Rob Mills, senior VP of alternative series, specials and late night for ABC Entertainment, said: “In addition to being a globally recognized sport, surfing is also a lifestyle; and Ultimate Surfer will give viewers a uniquely personal look at what goes into becoming a world-class champion. We’re ecstatic about the opportunity to utilize Kelly’s world-class surf facility and his expertise in showcasing these incredibly talented on-the-rise athletes.”

Slater added: “This is an unprecedented opportunity for two surfers (one man, one woman) to win an opportunity to compete against the best surfers in the world on the WSL Tour. This will put some of the best up-and-comers against each other in a more direct way to see who stands above the rest, and Surf Ranch is obviously a great venue to use for Ultimate Surfer. I’m excited to watch how they step up to the challenge.”