SS5: Guatemala



Swimmer's Survivor: Guatemala is the 5th installment of Swimmer's Survivor. The season features 18 contestants: 9 brand new castaways competing against 9 second-chances for the title of Sole Survivor.

Announcement/Production
SS5: Guatemala was declared for production on November 1st. That day, a sign up video was released, SS5 Auditions, allowing all new players to audition for the nine open spots for the non-returning players.

Twists/Changes

 * Early Merge  - Despite having a smaller cast of only 18 players, the contestants still merged at the final 12.
 * Delayed Jury - Although the tribes merged at the Final 12, the jury did not begin until the final 11. As a result, Tom made the merge, but did not make it into the jury.
 * No Tribe Swap - SS5 is the first season since SS1 that has NOT featured a tribe swap.
 * Final 2 FTC - SS5 is the first season since SS2 to feature a Final 2 at the Final Tribal Council.
 * Kidnapping - This season featured the introduction of the "kidnapping" twist, wherein the losing tribe would kidnap someone from the winning tribe. That person would then receive extra clues to the location of the hidden immunity idol.
 * Integration - Although this season was perceived to be Noobs Vs. Vets it was announced that both tribes would be integrated to feature both new and returning players.