Last time on the Ultimate Surfer, the eight previously eliminated contestants all came back to the show for a chance to surf their way back into competition, and Kayla and Kai through their clutch performances earned another shot at the title of The Ultimate Surfer.
With those two threats back in the draw, it's time to get serious. Now with eight competitors in the hunt for the grand prize -- three wildcard spots onto the WSL Championship Tour and $100,000 -- it's time to ratchet up the gamesmanship as they chase their dreams of competing on Tour.
And things get real very quickly as host Jesse Palmer wastes no time letting everyone know that this is no longer a team competition. Up until now, everyone was paired up into teams of one male and one female competitor, but from here on out they'll be competing as individuals.
As of Episode 6, this is no longer a team compeition, all surfers are now competing as individuals. - WSL / ABC
No one wants to say goodbye to the comfort and camaraderie of their teammates, but going solo makes sense. Surfers on the Championship Tour might rely on coaches, friends, shapers and other trusted supporters, but at the end of the day, it's just you and the ocean when you're in a heat.
Before the guys even have a chance to process the fact their teams have been broken up, there's another curve ball which is sure to get sparks flying.
In a surprise entrance, Hannah Ann Sluss and Mike Johnson -- former Bachelor contestants -- arrive in the basin from nowhere on the back of two jet skis. Remember when Brianna said if she wanted to kiss someone she would have gone on the Bachelor … Well, now it looks as if the Bachelor has come to her.
Beach Battle: Surf Date
But these two reality TV vets are not there to give lessons in falling in love. In fact, it's The Ultimate Surfer contestants who need to do the seducing. In this Beach Battle, the idea is to share the stoke by teaching Mike and Hannah to surf in one-on-one lessons.
Teaching someone to surf requires patience, dedication and passion -- whoever can fire these newbies up the most, psycing them out on riding waves, will win. It's a mix between a popularity contest and technical coaching. And while the goal is to get these two up and riding on a wave, Mike will ultimately pick the woman he's vibing with the most, and Hannah will do the same for the men.
Instead of handing out roses to the winners, Mike and Hannah made their decision by awarding in a ceremony a knot of red leashes made to look like a blown up, surf-inspired Bachelor's rose. - WSL / ABC
So, of all The Ultimate Surfer contestants, who is the most inspiring? Turns out it's not Kai. Before he can even begin to explain the difference between a block of wax and a leg rope to Hannah, he's going to need to put himself back together; the guy's lost for words.
"Hannah's definitely super hot," he says, "I've always been kind of shy when it comes … to the ladies. But I know what I need to do, I have to share my love for surfing and pass that on."
Meanwhile, the sparks start flying right away between Brianna and Mike. She's got no problem making him feel … let's just say stoked.
Everyone gets a chance, and then instead of handing out roses to the winners, Mike and Hannah made their decision by awarding in a ceremony a knot of red leashes made to look like a blown up, surf-inspired Bachelor's rose.
Sparks start flying right away between Brianna and Mike as she teaches him the basics of how to surf in the basin. - WSL / ABC
The surf-structors all had different approaches, so who is going to win the prize of extra waves? In the end it's Brianna who accepts the rose leash from Mike, while Hannah's heart lies with Alejando, who is a natural teacher (and quite the salsa dancer).
Malia came close to winning Mike's prize, and acts like she doesn't care. But you can tell she's feeling a bit burnt -- what about that connection she and Mike were building?
"I don't know why he picked her, but it's cool she won. I don't really care. Brianna can have the red surf leash, all I'm here for is the hundred grand and the three wildcards."
No one is really buying what Malia is trying to sell though -- later at a nighttime surf party, everyone is aware she's got the hots for Mike. Koa puts it best, saying "She's definitely got a crush."
Malia Ward plays it off that she doesn't care that Mike didn't choose her for the rose ceremony. - WSL / ABC
Wave Challenge: Floaters
After letting loose for the night with the former Bachelor contestants it's back to business. In the morning, Kelly Slater dials in via "Kelly Vision" to explain the next Wave Challenge, the floater.
They're at a pool, so as Kelly chuckles his way through the explanation, you'd be forgiven for thinking this floater challenge is something else entirely.
Zeke Lau has his eyes on the prize for this weeks wave challenge: floaters. - WSL / ABC
Thankfully this is all about riding on top of the breaking lip of the wave, gliding across it and dropping back down onto the wave face. They will be scored on the length of time on the lip, and the creativity around the maneuver. And remember, everyone is competing as an individual now.
As expected, there's no shortage of carnage. The wave is so fast that it's no easy prospect to glide across its lip. Amongst the wipeouts there are some long glides with plenty of hangtime. Zeke and Malia win -- remember, they're former teammates -- and now each will pick another contestant to send to the Surf Off.
Surf Off: Malia And Brianna's Feud Continues
Surprising literally no one, Malia sends her favourite enemy Brianna to the Surf Off, and Zeke picks Alejandro. This is the third time Zeke has sent Alejandro to possible elimination! Alejandro in turn picks Koa to surf against, which is an odd choice because Koa has been surfing well, while Brianna picks Kayla, who only just came back to the show.
Malia sends her favourite enemy Brianna to the Surf Off but she returns to camp more fired up than ever. - WSL / ABC
Koa thinks that because he's written about Alejandro being eliminated in his personal journal, the universe has to make it come true. Maybe there is some divine intervention on Koa's side though -- Alejando takes an uncharacteristic fall and it's devastating for Ale, one of the all-stars of the competition. He's sent packing.
Meanwhile, it's Brianna who sends Kayla home.confirming that no matter how hard Malia tries, she just can't seem to get rid of her.