Darlington dad sets up North East’s only SUP Airfield

Andy McDermott, 47, from Darlington, launched the North East’s only SUP Airfield after his daughter Grace said she wanted to represent the country in the sport.

The airfield consists of inflatable bunkers that paintball players use for training and skill development.

Andy McDermott and his daughter Grace McDermott (Image: Andy McDermott)

Located at Cowper House Farm in Darlington, Point Blank Paintball was launched 27 years ago by founders Liz and Darren Platt.

The recreational paintball site has become a popular destination for thrill-seekers looking for an adrenaline-fueled experience.

SUP Airfield at Point Blank Paintball (Image: Andy McDermott)

However, Andy, a UK national team player, noticed that the North East lacked a dedicated training space for those aiming to compete professionally.

The 47-year-old said the closest place to train at tournament level was in Nottingham.

He said: “I’ve been playing tournament paintball since 1995, where I have represented the UK in the second division and work at Just Paint Ball in the town.

Grace McDermott (Image: Andy McDermott)

“After my daughter Grace expressed she wanted to also represent team GB, I quickly realised there was nowhere in the North East for her to train.

“To get my daughter good enough will require a lot of hours on the field – but we would have had to drive 2.5 hours minimum to the nearest training centre in Birmingham.

“So, off the cuff, I said I should just buy one and set it up here in Darlington.”

Launching last Friday (December 5), Andy said he wants to teach paintball enthusiasts how to play tournament paintball at a high level and to help improve their skills.

SUP Airfield at Point Blank Paintball (Image: Andy McDermott)

He said the response since launching has been “amazing”, with people already securing a place to try out the latest tournament training experience.

He said: “We’ve got a day set up where there’s about 12 people booked in already to use our new SUP airfield. I’ve capped it at 20 and will be teaching everybody how to play paintball a bit better.

“Not a lot of people know about the tournament side of paintball, but with my experience, I’m hoping to pass that knowledge and experience onto other people.

“I’m not doing it for any financial gain, I’m just doing it for the love of the sport.”

If you would like to book a place, you can email Point Blank Paintball on pointblankpbne@gmail.com