thePULSE“Eliminating” The Competition
Paintball is perfect for recreation, exercise, and thrills.
By Sasha Hnatkovich
Sure, this season is full of action ~ there’s MI:III, X-Men: The Last Stand, and Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest. Some people have gotten tired of sitting in the dark, passively watching the Ethan Hunts and Wolverines of the world plunge into danger and adventure. So on weekends, they drive to…the suburbs? That’s right, the suburbs. And these paintball enthusiasts know something you don’t ~ the suburbs can be wicked fun.
For the uninitiated, paintball is considered by some to be the ultimate “reality game,” and by others, a strenuous and thrilling “action sport.” No matter what you think of it, paintball is a great way to get some exercise and enjoy the outdoors.
If you don’t know much about paintball, you’re not alone. This relatively new sport began in New Hampshire in 1981, when twelve friends began to play mock war games with cattle markers. Recreational paintball is played as team-based, strategic war or tag games ~ most commonly Capture the Flag or Speedball. Teams must utilize cunning, courage, stamina and skill to accomplish missions and eliminate opponents by “marking” them ~ shooting them with a marker, a compressed air-powered gun that fires .68 caliber gelatin capsules filled with water soluble dye called pods or guppies.
The first question most newcomers ask is, “Is it safe?” And the answer is that yes, very, if you have the right equipment and follow safety rules. Just as you wouldn’t run out onto the football field without your helmet and pads, you won’t run out of the staging area without a facemask and goggles. You’ll also probably want to wear loose fitting pants and a long sleeve shirt so you can run, dive, slide and crawl unencumbered. You might want to use a chest protector and/or neck guard, too, items that most fields have for rent.
Recreational fields provide refs who officiate the games. They brief players about safety rules before play. Always follow the safety instructions.
The second most frequently asked question is, “Does it hurt?” That answer is also yes. Getting hit by a paintball stings and will often leave a small welt. Most fields regulate the speed at which markers fire pods and set a maximum of about 280 feet per second. Most fields also strictly enforce how close you can be when shooting another player ~ usually 15 feet. Even with these precautions, it does hurt ~ but no more than kick in the shins in soccer or a wild pitch in baseball. So stop being a crybaby.
Paintball is a great way to have fun with your friends this summer. Most fields can be reserved for birthdays, bachelor/bachelorette parties, and other gatherings. Use “developing teamwork” as an excuse to plan a corporate retreat ~ when else are you going to get to shoot… sorry, “mark”… your boss?! And, if you saw 10 Things I Hate About You, you know that paintball can even make for quite a hot date.
Don’t miss out on the action this summer, get to one of these fields and start playing paintball!
West End Paintball (Auburn X Fire Paintball Store)
1759 Main S., Leicester, MA, (508) 721-0003, xfirepaintball@xfirepaintball.com
www.westendpaintball.com
Maynard Paintball Club (Maynard Rod & Gun Club)
183 Powder Mill Rd., Sudbury, MA, (617) 666-8666, maynardpaintball@gmail.com
www.maynardpaintballclub.com
Playboyz Paintball (Uxbridge Sports LP)
374 West St., Uxbridge, MA, (508) 278-9888, jmammay@playboyzpaintball.com
www.playboyzpaintball.com
Boston Paintball
60 Worcester Rd., Framingham, MA
43 Foley St., Somerville, MA
1200 Bald Hill Rd., Warwick, RI
www.bostonpaintball.com
In “10 Things I Hate About You” they are playing paintball with their hands and smashing the balls on each other. Where can you get those balls!? Is it called something special?