Fourteen up-and-coming surfers arrive at the World Surf League's Surf Ranch in Lemoore, Calif.

Alliances and friendships are put to the test as the 12 remaining contestants vie for the title of The Ultimate Surfer. With the help of big wave surfer Billy Kemper, the surfers compete in a Breathhold Buoy Race and show off their backside in this week’s Wave Challenge.

The surfers roll out of bed for an early morning Beach Battle – The Barrel Roll. The remaining five men and five women use their strength, balance and stamina to stay ON the barrel, not IN it. Heading into the Barrel Wave Challenge, the teams discuss new strategies to take out the frontrunners and focus on winning.

This week’s Beach Battle is The Paddle Battle. The remaining eight surfers hop on their boards for a tug-of-war, surfer style, to earn extra time on the wave. As the teams choreograph synchronized runs for the Crossovers Wave Challenge, it’s clear that some have never even attempted the trick before.