Swimming

Each day of the race there is at least one swimming section of up to 800 m, which can be in the sea or a loch. Generally, competitors seem to find the swims extremely exhilarating even (or maybe especially) if they don't have a swimming background.

Although the distances can seem daunting to non-specialist swimmers, with a swim-specific neoprene wetsuit, which gives a lot of buoyancy, they become much more appealing. Swimmers also have safety cover, either from their own team kayaker or from a safety boat provided by the organisation.

Most teams have one team member who does all of the swims, though it is always useful to have options when it comes to logistics, especially as competitors are not allowed to compete in another discipline immediately prior to swimming.

Bonus minutes are awarded to teams with the fastest swimmers on each stage and there is a small prize for the individual swimmer with the best aggregate time for all the swims during the week.

The other disciplines in the Heb are: hill running, sea kayaking, road biking and mountain biking.