This challenge is going to test contestants' paddling ability. Paddling is the keystone of surfing. Before you can even think about riding a wave you need to be able to get out the back. Once you're there, you need to be strong and fast enough to chase down waves. Stamina is everything. On the Championship Tour if you can't outpaddle your opponent, it might mean losing the heat.
And every surfer at some point or another has experienced watching the biggest set of the day appear seemingly out of nowhere, and needed to paddle hard for the horizon to avoid being cleaned up.
This Battle is a paddling tug-o-war. Two boards are tethered together, and looped around a pontoon. Each team paddles their board as hard as they can. As the boards are connected by a rope, the stronger team will pull the weaker team backwards as they head for the finish line.