I Just Played My First Paintball Game

In my search to live up to my New Year Resolutions of trying out extreme sports this year, I decided to head for a paintball game last weekend with some buddies. A few were pro players and a few were noobs like me, but there is one thing we all had in abundance – enthusiasm!

The group of us entered the arena, decked out in the protective gear mandatory as per the paintball rules, but I had no clue on the rest of the gear I was supposed to wear. And even though this was only my first attempt at splattering my enemies in paint, I did pick up a few tips that could be useful if other beginners want to try their hand at paintball.

First things first, the pro players brought their own gear. You know how hard core they are when you see them looking ready to annihilate you in the field, and they did share a list of the best paintball guns, which you can click here to see the best ones for you.

The things I learned last weekend:

• 1)It’s for ANYONE
• 2)Don’t Hide – Be a Trooper!
• 3)Dress Appropriately

It probably did help that I was a video game buff and had past experience in first shooter games – which may have helped in my reaction time and enemy observation skills. But in all honesty, a real life paintball game is a totally different ball game from sitting in the comfort of your home tackling enemy targets online.

If anything, it helped that there were other players who knew what to do, even if it was only to point out what we were doing wrong and to explain the general rules of the game. There are regular intervals where you can take a rest, get more ammo, discuss strategies or just pull each others’ legs and to get caught up with the do’s and don’ts of the game.

While initially I did hide behind obstacles and trees, thinking I was being a smart player, trying to eliminate others while behind cover, I didn’t really play. We did win, but I know it’s no thanks to my great hide and seek skills. The next round saw me playing more strategically, ducking when needed and running out of cover when required. I didn’t stay ‘alive’ for too long – but this was infinitely more fun because I was so involved in the game. You do end up getting better as well, which is a huge plus point.

Perhaps my naivety led me to believe we would get a full gear kit from the paintball company – but that was not the case. Perhaps it was always in the back of my mind that I would feel the sting of the paintball pellet that made me be a bit of an invisible player initially, but this is why this point is so important. Wear clothes that will protect you. Unless you have a thicker hide, you will need a layer of protection. Of course, if you like the colours black and blue – you can go straight ahead with shorts and decorate your skin with patches of vivid coloring thanks to paintball pellet kisses.