'Survivor' producer reflects on '50 Seasons of Challenges'

Survivor has unveiled numerous surprises across its 50 seasons, yet its foundational structure, particularly the role of challenges, has remained unchanged.

Although John Kirhoffer knew from a young age that television production was his dream, he was nearly ready to give it up to relocate to Hawaii and pursue teaching scuba diving until a call in December 1999 invited him to join Survivor before its inaugural season.

Since that moment, Kirhoffer has masterminded every challenge on the series — a distinct position he created as there's no "Obstacle Course Building 101" at San Diego State University.

"I initially explored Army recruitment obstacle courses. Finding information was challenging before platforms like YouTube were available," he tells PEOPLE about his early work on Survivor. "I visited the library and borrowed books on obstacle course design."

In the beginning, Kirhoffer explains that he and the production team delved into the cultural aspects of the filming locations, sometimes integrating traditional local games as challenges. 

Back when Survivor wasn't a household name, Kirhoffer worked with a "limited budget," which led to straightforward challenges like "Hands on a Hard Idol," where contestants had to keep touching a statue longer than anyone else to secure victory.

However, Kirhoffer doesn't appear to long for those fan-favorite classic challenges: "I certainly don't miss standing on a post for half a day."

Kirhoffer quickly realised that tribal challenges had to foster teamwork. He recounts finding a quarry lake deemed perfect for a second-season challenge in the Australian Outback until remembering contestant Rodger Bingham's inability to swim.

When discussing the issue with Survivor creator Mark Burnett, Kirhoffer received critical guidance that he has applied throughout the series.

"[Burnett] reacted like I'd destroyed a masterpiece," Kirhoffer relates. "He told me, ‘John. There’s a tribe. Send a capable swimmer first, then the non-swimmer, followed by another able swimmer.’ He was essentially teaching me Survivor basics during our second season."

The 50th season of Survivor debuts Wednesday (February 25), at 8pm ET on CBS.