A Snapshot of UKSF Selection

LOADSTONE APTITUDE

One Series · Three Events · 45lb Bergen · The Toughest Physical Challenge

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LOADSTONE APTITUDE

SF Basecamp · Point to Point · The Fan Dance · 45lb Bergen Throughout

One series… Three events… The toughest physical challenge you will face. Loadstone Aptitude series is for those of you who are willing to push yourselves to your physical and mental limits and beyond.

Designed to give a snapshot of the Aptitude, or hill, phase of UKSF Selection. As part of the Loadstone event you will be required to complete all three events within a series under tougher and more mentally challenging conditions than regular participants.

Carrying additional weight on Point to Point and the Fan Dance of 45lbs (exc food and water), a mock weapon and subjected to some surprises at the events, you will be part of an elite group of participants that demonstrate they have what it takes to step up to the mark and go that bit further than your average participant.

You must gather all your physical endurance and mental aptitude to earn the coveted Loadstone Tier medal.

Ticket Cost: £395. A payment plan is available — secure your place with a 25% deposit (plus Active fee) then pay the remaining balance in up to 3 equal instalments leading up to the event.

Loadstone Aptitude Image
Format3 Events / 1 Ticket
Weight45 LB + Mock Weapon
LocationShropshire & Brecon Beacons
EventsSummer & Winter Series
Cost£395
DifficultyExtreme
The Series

THREE EVENTS

Loadstone Aptitude combines the following events. Both Point to Point and the Fan Dance must be completed with 45lbs excluding food and water, and a mock weapon (supplied).

Event 1SF Basecamp — Full Weekend
Event 2Point to Point — Self-Navigation
Event 3The Fan Dance — 24km Route March
Tier System

LOADSTONE TIER MEDALS

TIER 1 — GOLD
SF Basecamp — Completion
Fan Dance 45lbs — 4hrs 15 mins
Point to Point 45lbs — 4kph*
TIER 2 — SILVER
SF Basecamp — Completion
Fan Dance 45lbs — 4hrs 30 mins
Point to Point 45lbs — 3.5kph*
TIER 3 — BRONZE
SF Basecamp — Completion
Fan Dance 45lbs — 4hrs 45 mins
Point to Point 45lbs — 3kph*

*All distances given are ‘as the crow flies’ and may vary due to the route you take. You will without any doubt need to be ‘Hill fit’ for this category as these timings and load bearing weights are based on current UKSF selection criteria.

APTITUDE EVENT DATES

Summer 2025 Series
SF Basecamp: 24th & 25th May 2025
Point to Point: 7th June 2025
The Fan Dance: 21st June 2025
Winter 25/26 Series
SF Basecamp: 18th & 19th October 2025
Point to Point: 8th November 2025
The Fan Dance: 17th January 2026
Summer 2026 Series
SF Basecamp: TBC
Point to Point: TBC
The Fan Dance: TBC

Please note that you cannot mix events across different series. All 3 events must be completed in the same season/series.

WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU?

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Forthcoming Events

UPCOMING DATES

Summer 2025 Series — Starts 24th May 2025 SHROPSHIRE & BRECON BEACONS
Register
Winter 2025 Series — Starts 18th October 2025 SHROPSHIRE & BRECON BEACONS
Register
FAQ

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Do I have to register for Loadstone Aptitude if I want to take part in Loadstone Continuation?
No, you can enter either Loadstone Aptitude or Continuation individually. However you will not be eligible for the coveted Loadstone Wings. You will however be awarded the medals/certificates from the individual events that you complete.
Can I register for the individual events within Loadstone Aptitude?
Yes, you can register for all the events individually and on completion will be awarded a custom finishers medal and certificate.
What if I fail on one of the events whilst on the Loadstone Series?
If you do not reach the required standard on any of the events on Aptitude then you will continue to the next event but not as part of the Loadstone Series.
What is the minimum and maximum age limits?
For the Loadstone series the minimum age requirement is 18 years where the maximum is 55 years. This is restricted due to the Para element of the series.
How fit do you need to be?
The physical standards are high for this series. Preparation physically and a mental robustness is required. The ability to sustain physical activity and having the mindset to drive through self-perceived boundaries are key. The events have been designed to be progressive from a physical point of view. We usually find that those that fail do so by themselves and have normally come either unprepared or not committed mentally.
Do you have to be ex military?
Certainly not. Most of our registrants are civilians who have never been part of the armed forces. We do have former and serving military personnel taking part for various reasons — they miss the banter and camaraderie, or they are in training for an arduous military course.
Can females take part in the Loadstone Series?
Yes, the number of females taking part is increasing by the year. We do not discriminate between male and female. All standards are the same within the categories for both male and female candidates.
The Loadstone Series

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