CONCORD, N.C. -- Any obstacle course is designed to challenge a person both physically and mentally. Perhaps the most intense course out there is depicted on the show "American Ninja Warrior," where the most athletic people try their hand at conquering an intricate and nearly impossible course.
For Tab Boyd, the spotter for the No. 24 team, the insane obstacle courses have become a household passion. He and his son, 5-year-old Bentley, have created their own version of the "American Ninja Warrior" set in their backyard.
According to Tab, Bentley has become a pro on the course after falling in love with the show. What originally started as an off-season project has become a never-ending expansion.
"My inspiration for building the course was how much Bentley liked watching it on TV, so I said, ‘Why not?’" Tab said. "Let’s build a warped wall in the offseason, so I looked up a few plans on YouTube and started building the warped wall, then Bentley got so good at it that we started building more and more."
Bentley has a master plan for his work and practice on the course. The younger Boyd wants to participate on "American Ninja Warrior Junior" in four years when he is eligible to compete at the age of 9.
"I can’t wait to be on “American Ninja Warrior” in 2024," Bentley said. "My dad added a lot of obstacles. There is balance, there’s a cliffhanger, hanging stuff, there’s climbing stuff, running stuff, like the warped wall. It’s just crazy. And yes, (my dad) built everything.”
The two-month hiatus from racing earlier this spring and the extra precautions taken to keep the racing teams safe from the ongoing coronavirus pandemic means Tab is home much more than normal during the racing season. He used the time to bond with Bentley over his love of "American Ninja Warrior" and the two of them worked together to create their custom course.
“The extra time at home this year has absolutely made a lot more time to build the course bigger and better," he said. "It (started as) a couple of obstacles to have fun but now it’s turned into a full-on course, so we’re going to keep making it bigger and better.”
Even though the course already is impressive, Tab and Bentley have plans to make it even bigger and more elaborate.
“I don’t know if this is an obstacle, but just so you know, we have a pole and I think we’re going to make a water slide from the garage roof to the warped wall, down the warped wall and up the steps and into the pool,” Bentley said.
Whether or not Tab is able to make expansion plan happen, he and Bentley have the full support of the No. 24 team. Before the tracks were restricted to essential personnel only, Bentley had been a fixture with the No. 24 crew as an "unofficial" member.
"It has been fun watching Bentley grow up around the No. 24 team the past couple years," said Michael “Too Tall” Madill, the rear suspension mechanic for the No. 24 team. "We’ve watched videos and seen photos of Tab building the obstacle course and Bentley going through it. I knew he would do well when we were down in Daytona earlier this year having a cook out after practice. Bentley was running and climbing all over the place, making his own obstacles even.
"Just to see his excitement and his desire to run, jump and climb all over the place makes me think that he will not only do well but exceed his 'American Ninja Warrior Junior' goals."
Take a look below to see the Boyds' impressive "American Ninja Warrior" obstacle course from all angles.
