1 What is Paintball?

Paintball is an adult version of the children's game "Capture the Flag". It involves both the physical exertion of moving over various terrain and the mental activity of developing strategies. The object is to capture the opposing team's flag and bring it back to your team's home base. While you are trying to capture the flag, you are also trying to eliminate opposing players by tagging them with a gelatin capsule filled with water-soluble paint expelled from a special air gun called a "paint gun". When players are hit and marked, they are out for the remainder of the game and have to wait until the next one starts. Most games are timed and last between 15-30 minutes. Most games are played on commercial fields and are refereed to keep the game fair and controlled.

 2 Is Paintball Safe?

Like any other activity or sport, there is always the potential for injury. However, standard safety rules, and the proper use of industry developed and approved safety equipment have made paintball one of the safest participatory sports. In fact, insurance company statistics have shown that more people are hurt bowling and fishing than playing paintball.

When on the field players must *ALWAYS* wear protective goggles which are usually part of a special mask which protects the eyes and face. When not on the field barrel plugs are inserted into the paintball gun to prevent paintballs from leaving the barrel. Safety is highly stressed at most fields with orientations given at the beginning of each session and referees/staff members on hand oversee the players. Finally, commercial paintball fields limit the velocity of a fired paintball to less than 300 feet per second. Players who disregard safety instructions are usually removed from the game and sit out the next. Fields which do not enforce safety requirements should be avoided.

3 Doesn't It Hurt?

The short answer is: Heck Yes It Hurts! Getting hit by a fast moving pellet is part of the game. Fortunately, it isn't as bad as one thinks. Paintballs break upon impact dissipating most of the energy and causing very little pain. What pain is felt is comparable to being snapped by a towel and goes away after a few seconds. Of course, being shot at close range will tend to "accentuate" the sensation (read "hurt more") than a hit from further away.

Generally though, the thrill of the game will overshadow any pain that might be felt from a hit. A player can count on leaving the field with a few welts, but they make great visual aids when recounting paintball
stories to your buddies.

Paintball is a combination of "Hide & Seek" and "Tag". Two 7 men teams are pitted against each other with each game having specific objectives. Players eliminate the opposition with a paintball splat from a CO2 powered paintgun. Paintballs are small spherical balls made of a thin gelatin case filled with biodegradable, water-soluble dye, which is environmentally friendly. When the paintball breaks on an opponent, he or she is then eliminated.

Paintball is great for relieving stress while promoting team
work in a fun and interactive atmosphere. Leaders will emerge through practical application of strategic planning. Team spirit and friendships build as the season progresses. The tension and pressure of everyday life is forgotten as the participants slip into their fantasy world.

4. How To Prepare For Paintball

Wear comfortable clothing that you don't mind getting dirty. Preferably, you should wear dark clothing with long sleeves. Don't worry about the paint splats as it will wash out easily in normal washing, but you'll be running, crawling, crouching and kneeling a lot. Better to be comfortable than stylish.

• Wear a baseball cap for head protection.
• Wear a scarf for neck protection.
• Wear good outdoor shoes that provide ankle support. Sprained ankles are the #1 cause of injury in many sports and Paintball is no exception. Having good ankle support reduces the risk of injury.
• Bring some snacks and LOTS OF DRINKS. We have drinks available for sale. Keep in mind that soft drinks are not good to drink when exercising. Stick to water, juice or sports drinks. ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES ARE STRICTLY PROHIBITED AT ALL TIME.
• Bring Sun Block as it can get very hot during a game and getting sun burnt is not a nice experience.
• Bring Insect Repellent as the game is played outdoors on a grass field.
• Bring enough money for extra Paintball. Plan on shooting 200-300 Paintballs per person during the event. Some people shoot more, some shoot less. It's all in how you play. We accept cash and NETS only.
• Bring your Driver's License or IC for verification of Age. By Law, all players must be 14 years or older. Minors of 14 to 17 must have our waiver signed by their parent. Waiver for minors can be obtained from our website. Proof of age must be provided prior to play.
• A change of clothes is always nice, since you'll be getting dirty and sweaty by the end of the day.

Read more about Paintball: www.paintball.com, www.paintballgears.info