ADVENTURE CAPITAL
Duncan Leatherdale
Wear Valley Mercury
11 January 2008
 IMAGINE putting your life into the hands of an inexperienced driver ploughing through streams and across rocks, up and down impossibly steep and mud-laden slopes and along the edges of treacherous ravines (not to mention the possibility of motion sickness).
It doesn’t really sound like a viable career move but two young entrepreneurs have taken up that challenge when they took over management of the Weardale Outdoor off road driving and outdoor pursuits centre at Coves House in the hills above Wolsingham.
Deep in the bowels of Weardale army cadet tutor Will Parker and former marine equipment salesman James Dil can be found testing off-road vehicles and organising Lazertag wars for schools, companies and stag and hen dos.
The intrepid duo took over Coves House in October when the Todd family, who had owned the farm since the 17th Century, sold the nearly 400-acre plot of land to Will’s father.
The site has been home to an off road driving course for the last 19 years but the new management has a Land Rover full of ideas on how to make this one of the most exciting attractions in Weardale.
 Will said: “The estate already had a good reputation when we took it over but we knew that it could work on so many more levels. We are really quite excited by the potential here.”
The most exciting development (as if crossing extreme terrain isn’t exciting enough) is Weardale Outwars Lazertag which should be in operation by the end of the month.
Teams of up to eight have-a-go soldiers will be kitted out with laser guns and camouflage clothing before being sent on a variety of missions including hostage rescue, fortress infiltration and sniper destruction through trenches, woodland and boggy fields.
The centre also offers 24 hour military style exercises including authentic army food and sleeping conditions.
James said: “We provide training for everything you need to know and offer a variety of packages.
“The Lazertag will become hugely popular as it is the first of its kind in the North-East. The best way to think of it is as paintball without the pain, paint or problems caused by the messy balls. The guns will have a range of 300 metres which means that finding cover is even more important.”
The centre’s other main attraction though is the off-road driving courses. When invited to “have a go behind the wheel” my first thought was one of journalistic professionalism such as “I really ought to get back to the office” but this was quickly stamped down by my inner child yelling “hell yeah big boy” while revving my own engine of fear and excitement.
I first tried my hand at the blind driving exercise where the driver of an eight-wheeled Scot Track ATV is blindfolded before being guided around a field by his navigator yelling frantically. I must confess here that I didn’t actually take up the challenge but rather drove around the field with my eyes wide open safe in the knowledge that James would be able to stop me getting into any serious trouble. After this quick lesson I climbed, or rather quivered, my way behind the wheel of an ex-army Land Rover where I was faced with an incomprehensible number of gear sticks and instructions. Will was my guide though and James sat behind me offering a few choice of words of encouragement (and I dare say a plethora of silent prayers) I soon learned the basic controls and became quite comfortable forging my way along a rocky track to the first course.
My comfort was soon replaced by concentrated fear however when we hit the course. The weather was not ideal for my first ever off-road experience in that, despite the torrent of rain it was still cold enough to lose all feeling in my extremities.
It was fun and frightening in equal measure but the terror served only to heighten the enjoyment of pitching man and machine against nature in all its terrifying glory.
As Will said: “You quickly learn how much faith you can have in the vehicle. You have to remember that the Land Rover is built for this kind of terrain. If at any point you feel unsafe or not in control then that is a sign that you are not doing it right.
“Of course people can get nervous but with a fully qualified instructor like James or me by your side then there is no reason to panic. You’ll be surprised at how well these vehicles can cope with strenuous challenges.”
It was with a great sense of accomplishment that I edged my way away from the perilous terrain I had successfully traversed but my smug satisfaction was soon quashed after Will informed me that was the only beginners’ course. I was somewhat relieved when I wasn’t invited to try my hand at the more advanced slopes and gullys.
This may all sound like a whopping case of big boys toys but the packages available at Weardale Outdoor prove just as popular with the ladies as they do with the men.
While I was in the office a lady from the Isle of Skye phoned up to book an off-road lesson for her mother. The two young entrepreneurs are also preparing for a hen party coming to partake in war games.
Will said: “We have to set a lower age limit of 12 simply for insurance purposes but the fact is everyone can enjoy this. It’s something completely different and really is a unique experience.”
James said: “The people in Wolsingham and Wear Valley have really welcomed us and I think they appreciate the fact we’ve been so open with them about our activities.
“We’re developing a good relationship with hotels and restaurants in the area.
Basically the more people that come to Weardale Outdoor then the more people there will be visiting Weardale. That can only be a good thing.”
For more information on the centre log onto www.weardaleoutdoor.co.uk or call 01388 529439. |