Spoon Man is a recurring dexterity challenge in Survivor. It debuted in Survivor: San Juan del Sur and has since been reused in Survivor: Game Changers.
Rules
Each person will use a series of very small paddles to maneuver a ball through a series of obstacles. If at any point the ball drops, they will have to go back to the start. The first person to transfer three balls wins.
History
United States
The challenge made its debut in San Juan del Sur as the final five Immunity Challenge. Keith Nale had previously won an advantage of practicing the challenge earlier. This allowed him to easily finish the challenge, with no one else coming close, to win individual immunity.
The challenge returned in Game Changers, again as the final five Immunity Challenge. Though Sarah Lacina and Troyzan Robertson came close to the final obstacle on several occasions, only Brad Culpepper managed to get his balls to the end, winning immunity.
Australia
This challenge was modified for use as a tribal Immunity Challenge in Blood v Water. The Water tribe attempted to throw the challenge to finish their hit on Ben Watson, which was thwarted by a Mock Vote at their previous Tribal Council. Their deliberate futility paid off, giving Blood the victory.
South Africa
The challenge appeared as a Reward Challenge immediately following the second tribe switch on Island of Secrets. Sa'ula and Ta'alo were evenly matched, placing their first ball at almost the same time. However, Sa'ula lost momentum after fumbling their second ball, giving Ta'alo a chance to surge ahead. Despite making a mistake at the final obstacle, Ta'alo quickly recovered and landed their third and final ball, winning the dissolved Laumei tribe's past bounty as well as a bag of rice.
Winners
| Episode | Challenge Type | Winners |
|---|---|---|
| San Juan del Sur "This Is My Time" |
Individual Immunity |  Keith Nale |
| Game Changers "No Good Deed Goes Unpunished" |
Individual Immunity |  Brad Culpepper |
| Episode | Challenge Type | Winners |
|---|---|---|
| Blood v Water Episode 11 |
Tribal Immunity |         Blood |
| Episode | Challenge Type | Winners |
|---|---|---|
| Island of Secrets "The Game Chooses for You" |
Tribal Reward |        Ta'alo |
Gallery
Trivia
- Both times this challenge was used, it was at the final five.
- Both players to win this challenge are men who have competed on Survivor twice, including once in a Blood vs. Water season.
- The challenge was named after the Soundgarden song "Spoonman".
References