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Episode Four - Wauja Canoe Race in Brazil
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Watch our exclusive interview with Ed; where he gives us the low down on Brazil and the gruelling Wauja canoe race.
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Exclusive - Ed on Brazil
Watch our exclusive interview with Ed; where he gives us the low down on Brazil and the gruelling Wauja canoe race.
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Exclusive - Video diary footage
The boys eventually find out they'll be canoeing in the Amazon but don't seem to be too impressed by the local wildlife.
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Preview - The athletes arrive
Preview: The athletes arrive and meet the locals.
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Preview - Local traditions
Preview: The athletes are introduced to some of the local customs.
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Preview - The competition
Preview: The athletes witness the competition for the first time.
The Wauja
This week the athletes are heading to the heart of Brazil to live with the Wauja tribe and compete in a gruelling canoe race along the piranha infested Batavi River in the Amazon.
The Wauja don't get many visitors so pretty much all the tribe turn out to meet their new guests.
They are lead straight to Chief Kamala in the men's hut, located in the middle of the village, to undress and be painted for the Parrot Dance... the official Wauja welcome.
Training and Culture
Wauja Canoeing
The 16km race breaks down into four gruelling stages which will test the athlete's endurance and stamina...
Across the calm waters of the lake, down the river, a battle back up the river before back across the lake to the finishing line.
While the athletes are staying in the village, it's up to Yanahin to pass his own skills onto the new boys. They must be ready for the strenuous endurance race which will take them both up and downstream.
For the locals canoeing is as natural as walking... but not for our athletes. Jarvis travels about 5 metres before sinking and Ed finds turning in circles a lot easier then turning where he needs to go.
Some of the tribe find all this very funny, but coach Yanahin is not one of them. After their performance in training he isn't sure whether any will make it through the course.
As the training continues the guys get a break with a spot of fishing... but are certainly surprised by their welcome when they get back to the village.
The local women are up in arms that the local men have been spending all their time with the athletes, so get their own back by subjecting them to a scolding session.
Otherwise known as a good thrashing.
The Final Competition
Our six athletes nervously line up on the shore waiting for the race to begin. The Wauja Chief signals and all the competitors scramble to their canoes. Amongst the chaos, local favourite Jarvis gets away first. JJ is second and then Wolé.
But in the mayhem to get away, one of the athletes has already hit trouble... Ed. His canoe has half submerged so he is forced to bail out and his race appears to be in tatters.
By the downstream section of the race, Wolé holds first place but the other athletes aren't far behind. Murray is now in second place but the real shock is Ed. He has somehow clawed his way through the pack up to third.
As the leading athletes head downstream Ed's technique is certainly paying off as he strides past Murray into second place.
The real battle begins as the guys head back upstream and Ed takes the lead as Wolé drifts into third place. It is now a two man race between Ed and Murray as they enter the final chase across the lake.
In the village, word gets round that the first athlete is approaching the finish line. With two consecutive wins, a first for Last Man Standing...
Ed is Last Man Standing in Brazil.
The next challenge - archery in Bhutan
There are no upcoming episodes of this programme.
Six intrepid athletes travel the world to compete against the most remote tribes on earth at their own sports.
Production Blog
Production Co-ordinator Chris O'Donnell takes us behind the scenes.
About Brazil
Brazil is the largest country in South America, occupying over half of the continent's landmass.
Although the country's official language is Portuguese with newspapers TV and radio using this, Brazil achieved independence from Portugal in 1822.
Find out more about Brazil:
- BBC News: Country Profile
- BBC: Bruce Parry's Amazon
- Lonely Planet
- Wikipedia
- London Embassy
- Photos on Flickr
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external websites
I just can't get out of this spot. I have been in the same spot half an hour now.
Joey - Series two athlete
Locations: Series Two
The journey for series two:
Ethiopia > Burkina Faso > Nepal > Brazil > Bhutan > Kamchatka > Philippines > Sumbawa > India > Papua New Guinea
© MMIX
Comments
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Really enjoyed this episode Ed showed real endurance and in doing so has put a bit of pressure on the other contenders,it will be intresting to see how they cope with the change in the status quo especially Wole .
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Just wondering, was the Wauja canoe race done in the same place they had to wrestle Kalapalo Warriors in series one?
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Hi Llarli-B.
The Wauja live in the same Xingu reserve as the Kalapalo from series one but are a different tribe who speak a different language... and live some distance away.
The Wauja did compete in the Huka Huka festival in the series one Kalpalo episode though and the guy who through sand in Brad's face was actual one of the Wauja!
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Last man standing is an amazing documentary, really enjoyed the first series, so glad to see a second. An Experience of a life time. I'm no athlete but would love to do something like that.
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Does anyone know the music used when they finish the race?
Also, on the topic, is there any way to find out what music the BBC uses for any show? Surely they must have to put it somewhere?
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Hi punkromance.
Most of the music on Last Man Standing was specially composed by Ty Unwin (a web search will tell you a bit more about him).
We'll put some info on the about pages about this and longer term the BBC's automated service will start to display this kind of information in more detail.
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hi just wondering if you are planning on making a new series of last man standing and if so how would i go about applying to be on it?
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how do you apply to be on the next series ?
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Ah, thank you!
I did a search and can't find anyway to actually get his music.
I assume this is just because it's not the sort of music that gets released?
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As soon as we have any news on a new series of Last Man Standing we'll put it on the site. The team are currently making a new show for BBC Three called Chicken but unfortunately applications have now closed for that.
Check http://www.bbc.co.uk/showsandtours/beonashow/ for BBC programmes looking for applicants.
Hello again punkromance.... it's unlikely the sound tracks for Last Man Standing will get a commercial release but Ty does keep busy so you may find some of his stuff around!
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