Can you do the Fan Dance?

This year the GORE-TEX® Experience Tour is going to challenge your physical and mental agility. We are looking for a team of people who will attempt an infamous trek through South Wales known as the Fan Dance. This 23.5km routes is used as a fitness and navigation skills test by the British Military and must be completed in just 4 hours. Only the very best will make it!

The Fan Dance is a test of mind and body. Set in the heart of the Brecon Beacons in South Wales, the 23.5km route takes you across ridges to a maximum elevation of 886 m at the peak of Pen y Fan. There is nowhere to hide when you attempt the Fan Dance and we are aiming to complete it – just like British Special Forces recruits – in just 4 hours.

Our team will spend the weekend learning the skills required to complete the challenge from two British Military Fitness Mountain Leaders. These will include: day and night time navigation, survival skills, pacing techniques and how best to pack your kit when you need to move fast and light. There will also be a fitness test on day one to ensure that everyone is ready for the challenge.

Wearing the right kit is an essential part of overcoming any outdoors challenge, so our team will be kitted out from head to toe in the latest GORE-TEX® garments and footwear from Berghaus. The weather in the Welsh hills can change very quickly, but with GORE-TEX® Active Shell products the team will be able to continue whatever the weather thanks to its ultra-breathable, lightweight 100% waterproof protection.

Preparation is also vital so, once we have selected our team, our British Military Fitness experts will be guiding our winners through a 6 week training plan. This is a physical and a mental challenge and you will need to be committed to succeed.

If you’re up for the challenge then read on!
About The Experts

Jason Revel
Jason worked with the Army in New Zealand, Canada and Switzerland before joining the British Marines in 1995 as a Reconnaissance Soldier. Working in small teams Jason acted as ‘the eyes and ears’ of the battle group.

Jason is a keen climber and has been a qualified Mountain Leader since 2008. As well as climbing Pen y Fan over 35 times he has also escorted civilian teams up Kilimanjaro.

Pete Curley
Pete has been a serving member of the Royal Marines for over 20 years. He teaches Vertical Assault and Survival Training to Royal Marine Recruits, Government Agencies and trainee Mountain Leaders.

A lover of extreme challenges, Pete has taken part in an Everest support trek, trekked up and down Mount Toubkal, Morocco, in a day, skied across the Hardangervedda in Central Norway, and even on Mount Etna, before it erupted!

Applications and further information
This year applicants can either enter through Facebook or a new dedicated microsite.

The online application process runs from May 3rd until June 15th. Once the voting has been completed a panel will choose the most suitable ten people from the top applicants to make up our team. Entrants must be over 18, prepared to follow a 6 week fitness regime and be able to travel to Wales from September 1st – 4th 2012.

For more information about British Military Fitness, the UK’s largest outdoor fitness provider, visit their website.