PaintBall

I went for a Paintball session recently, with my colleagues, on grounds of team-building (or stealing time from work, whichever way you want ot look at it).

Anyhow, it's my first experience at Paintball, after hearing and reading about it for so many times. Really, nothing comes close to trying it out in person.

The Equipment:

• Face Mask - a very important safety component. More often than not, the is one of the nicest target to go for.
• Marker - this is a term used for the "gun". I was told that it's called a Marker, and not a gun, to avoid the connotation with violence and legality. (We were advised to avoid wearing military camouflage as well, in case we're mistaken as a militia group training for the wrong reasons). You'll notice that in photographs from foreign websites, the camouflage make up part of the gameplan.
• Pellets - not bullets. It's filled with paint made of vegetable oil (edible).

The Rules:

• Everytime we enter the enclosure, it's Mask On! No matter for what reasons, be it to adjust the obstacles, retrieve items, walk past. Of course, it's more for personal safety.
• Marker safety must be ON, and the Barrel Stopper fitted. Again, safety reasons.
• At close range, NO shooting. Just tap with the marker barrel. (Now I must add that those pellets really hurt, even when hit from a distance 10 feet away)

We played the game 4 to a side, with the objective of capturing the opponent's flag. Then again, this being our first time, our intention lingers more towards the number of bruises we will leave on the opposition; not the victory of flag capture.

To add to the fun, the session was held in the woods, amidst a light drizzle. Needless to say, we ended up soaked, muddy and bruised.

Like excitement? Try Paintball. Ladies and Gents alike.