On a bleak but surprisingly dry Friday morning, a mere 4 days after 3 weeks of summer leave, Number Three Company paraded at the Company Offices and boarded the transport, destined for the Storey Arms car park: the start and finish point for the ‘Fan Dance’. This event, famed for forming part of the first week of UK Special Forces (UKSF) Selection, is a true test of physical robustness, endurance and in a Company context – teamwork.
WO2 (CSM) Lewis 29, having competed in Ironman Wales the previous Saturday, proved to those who doubted their abilities that it was indeed possible; whether you’d run 26.2 miles, swum 2.4 miles and cycled 112 miles…or not!
The Company conducted the event as a single group and performed impressively as they made their way to the summit. After a brief pause at the top, they descended Jacob’s ladder, the infamous climb down the east of Pen y Fan, all too aware that it would have to be climbed up shortly afterwards.
Having reached the halfway point, filled up with water and taken on board some much needed food, the Company turned around and headed back towards Jacob’s Ladder to re-summit ‘the Fan’ from the east. This proved an immense challenge for all but every man showed true grit and determination, successfully reaching the peak once more. LSgt Chambers stood out in climbing Jacob’s ladder, descending it and climbing it once more; all in preparation for his Physical Training Instructors course. A brief reminder from the Company Commander about the value of physical fitness, particularly with an operational tour on the horizon, gave the Company the inspiration needed to complete the final leg back down to the Storey Arms car park.
Number Three Company proved that they are more than ready for the challenges that pre-deployment training and indeed the operational tour will present. This event provided the entire Company with faith in their physical ability and robustness and will be a more frequent feature of our training as we edge closer to deployment next year.
By Capt E J Clarke, Second in Command, Number Three Company, 1st Battalion Welsh Guards.
