The Brecon Beacons are
the mountains and the challenge they hide is the Fan Dance- the infamous run
taken on by potential members of British Special Forces as part of their
selection process.
Although more than 50
years old, the original challenge route is still used as a real test for all
potential SAS recruits. It’s not too hard to spot them with anyone running in
tiny shorts with a fridge-sized pack on their back being a likely suspect.
Since the end of the
Second World War, the Brecon Beacons have served as the proving ground for
Britain’s elite soldiers, with the SAS
in particular basing a large part of their selection process in the hills.
The essential elements
of the “Selection” program have remained constant and unchanged since 1956, a
series of back to back self-navigated, heavy load-bearing test marches, wearing
boots and carrying an assault rifle over arduous mountain terrain, whatever the
weather condition.
Throughout four weeks
of physical assessment there are a number of standout tests, “The Fan Dance” is
one them.
The infamous 24km route
over both sides of Pen y Fan at the end of Week 1 has always been considered
the yardstick of a candidates potential to reach Test Week and ultimately pass
the Special Forces “Selection” programme.
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Npbdd6lHg-o
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