Why ABC Canceled ‘The Ultimate Surfer’ After One Season

ABC has officially canceled “The Ultimate Surfer” after just one season.

The alphabet network’s decision to end the water-based competition series after its debut season was exclusively announced via Deadline on Wednesday.

According to the outlet, the reality series struggled to find a big wave of fans throughout its eight-episode run. When the show premiered in August 2021, less than 1.5 million viewers tuned in.

There were high hopes for the show to catch much of “Bachelor in Paradise’s” ratings during its premiere, but it failed after receiving a 0.3 in the 18-49 demo. Two hours before its debut, ABC was averaging a 0.9 demo rating with 3.22 million viewers, as per The Wrap.

Based on the official numbers published by Nielsen, the first season of “The Ultimate Surfer” only attracted an average of 1.284 million viewers and a 0.29 in the 18-49 demo.

Amid the classic game-show revivals and dating series, the alphabet network gambled on offering something new to viewers by having eleven-time surfing world champ Kelly Slater lead the competition series.

Hosted by former NFL quarterback Jesse Palmer, the show gathered the world’s most compelling surfers, so they could live and train together at the Surf Ranch in Lemoore, California. They were also vying for the chance to compete on the World Surf League Championship Tour, the pinnacle of professional surfing.

Aside from Palmer, Erin Coscarelli and Joe Turpel were also involved in the project as commentators. Since it was a competition reality series, contestants had to compete against each other in individual and team challenges and go through weekly eliminations.

In the finale, two men and two women athletes battled it out for the male and female titles of The Ultimate Surfer, as per the official show description on the World Surf League’s website.

The first season starred Anastasia Ashley, Tia Blanco, Kai Barger, Mason Barnes, Zeke Lau, Austin Clouse, Brianna Cope, Luke Davis, Kayla Durden, Juli Hernandez, Koa Smith, Alejandro Moreda, Malia Ward and Bruna Zaun.

The show was produced by Lionsgate’s Pilgrim Media Group and WSL Studios. It was executive produced by Craig Piligian, WSL CEO Erik Logan, UFC President Dana White and Faye Stapleton.