Fan dance (exercise)
The Fan Dance is part of the Fitness and Navigation phase of the selection process for the UK's Special Forces, as well as 16 Air Asault Brigade's Pathfinder Platoon. In the past it was used as a test on P Company during the Brecon Beacons phase and is still used as part of the Platoon Sergeant's Senior's Course at the Infantry Battle School, Brecon, Wales. The Fan Dance is a 24 kilometres (15 mi) load bearing march (or in military parlance, a Tactical Advance to Battle (TAB)) that typically takes place at the end of the first week of the selection course.[1] It is used as the first major indicator of whether a candidate has the physical and mental aptitude to complete the selection course.
The candidates are divided into two groups and each starts from opposite sides of Pen y Fan, an 886 metre high peak. One group starts at Torpantau railway station in Taf Fechan forest, the other at the Storey Arms Outdoor Education Centre.[2] Each student carries a 45 pounds (20 kg) Bergen backpack, a rifle (a further 10 pounds (4.5 kg)), food and 4 one-litre water bottles (an extra 10 pounds (4.5 kg)). The candidates climb Pen y Fan's west slope (Corn Du) and then descend on the far side, known as Jacob's Ladder. The rest of the route follows the old Roman Road before going back on itself for the return leg. Candidates are allowed 4 hours to complete the march in summer and 4 hours 10 in winter in instances of adverse weather conditions. The Fan Dance is a DS led group march but is essentially down to the individual's own best effort. The Special Forces Selection Fan Dance takes place bi-annually, with a winter and summer edition.
The Fan Dance race is also organised as an endurance event open to the public by a group of former SAS & SBS personnel under the title of Avalanche Endurance Events. Like the Selection edition it is also staged in January and July.
The mainstream media reported that candidates died attempting the Fan Dance in summer 2013 but this is an inaccuracy as the Selection phase was already well into the Test Week phase.
References
External links
- The Fan Dance, BBC Radio 4