Who can play?
Basically anyone, Male or Female. Paintball is the great Equalizer. You don't need big muscles or brute strength. You don't even have to be able to run fast. Paintball is great adrenaline pumping fun but you don't need to be an athlete to enjoy it. The only requirement for NSW is that if you are between the ages of 16-18 you must fill out a parent consent form the play.

What is paintball?
It's a sport in which a bunch of adults (loosely defined) go out in the woods and relive our childhood by playing capture the flag. Only, in this game each player has a gun that fires gelatin capsules filled with a water-soluble marking dye. If you're shot and marked, you're out of the game and have to wait until the next one starts.

Is it safe?
Like all action sports (football, basket ball, etc.) paintball is very dangerous unless adequate protection is worn and safety rules understood and followed.
Most paintball guns shoot a 68 caliber paint pellet. The pellet is a thin plastic shell filled with a water soluble paint. Guns shoot the pellets at a speed of 200 to 300 feet per second. Since the paint pellets are fairly light (only weighing a few grams each), they have little momentum while in flight, and thus are not lethal like the heavy lead projectiles fired from conventional firearms.
In addition to using a non-lethal projectile, paintball players *always* wear protective goggles to protect their eyes and usually wear masks covering the rest of their face as well.
Safety is highly stressed. Goggles must be worn at all times unless in designated areas. We also require that barrel saftey items such as barrel plugs, or condoms, be used while players are in certain areas. Ignoring safety is a good way to get yourself ejected from the field.

Doesn't it hurt when you get shot?
The paint balls break open upon impact, and generally cause very little pain. What pain is experienced is more of a stinging sensation from the balls impact against the skin or through clothing. In my experience, the stinging pain goes away after a few seconds. Of course, the closer you are to the muzzle of the gun, the higher the velocity of the pellet when it hits you. Thus, more pain may be experienced when shot at close range rather than farther away.
In general, one can count on coming off the field with a few welts from paintball impacts, but your most annoying injuries are more likely to be scrapes and bruises from the local terrain.

Do I have to organise a group?
You don't have to have an organized a group, give us a call and we can place you with another group.

How can I play?
Almost all paintball 'fields' rent guns and welcome new players. Fields can be found using yellow pages (look under 'Firearms' or 'Sports Equipment'), local newspapers, or ads in a number of the paintball magazines.

What do I need to bring?
Bring water, lots of water.
Bring old, sturdy, dark clothes and shoes or boots with some sort of ankle support.

What safety equipment do I need?
We supply you with goggles, facemask with ear and throat protection. The men can either bring a protective cup or buy one from us.

How can I play safe?
Do not shoot animals or wildlife.
Do not fire your paintgun anywhere except on the field during the game or in the designated chronograph area/shooting range.
Inspect the lens of your goggles for cracks or signs of weakness.
Make sure your mask is well seated and will not come off during the game.
Make sure the velocity of your paintgun is below 300 feet per second.
Always assume the gun is loaded; even if you know otherwise.
Always assume safety devices won't work.
Unload the gun when not in use.
Upon receiving or retrieving a gun check if it's loaded.
Anytime you are carrying a paintgun in a 'safe zone' such as the parking lot or staging area where people are not wearing goggles, you MUST have a barrel plug in the barrel.
Know the rules of the game and abide by them.
Never remove facemasks or goggles while on the field.
Do not play when very tired or hungry. Bring food or money to buy food from field. Most injuries occur at the end of the day when players are exhausted.
NEVER look down the barrel. Not even with protection. If barrel needs checking remove from the gun and check.
If the barrel cannot be removed, disconnect all CO2/CA equipment, test fire the gun downrange until no more gas is left in the gun, clear the breech or ball loading area, and then, carefully and while wearing goggles, glance down the barrel.
Notify the field owner or manager of any medical conditions, allergies etc.

Do I need to be physically fit to play?
Not really, but it will help. As with all strenuous exercise participants should stretch and warm up before playing.
Since typical games require quick sprints followed by a rest having good an- aerobic fitness is beneficial. Players should gauge their play to their level of fitness. All players in poor physical condition or with physically limiting conditions should consult a physician before playing.
Proper footwear is very important. Some players find that lightweight canvas topped army boots or leather workboots protect feet and ankles in the woods. Other players prefer the support that sneakers give as paintball does involve running. Personal preferences vary, but footwear should not be overlooked.

Can I get the paint out of my clothes?
Paint is water soluble and should wash out as normal.