Serious athletes, happy-go-lucky gamers, paintball unites us all. Adrenaline-driven--absolutely, and without apology--we mark our opponents, capture their flags, and complete our missions.
Next year is Year 25 for paintball, now a world-recognized sport. Diverse, empowered, paintball players take second to no one in dedication to this sport.
Step back 20 years. The handful of paintball industry leaders used to question each other--often during a late night phone call or very late supper somewhere--"Do you think this'll last?" Being
players themselves, they wanted a "yes" answer. They wanted paintball to grow. Being realistic, however, they knew the risky future paintball faced as a "'gun game" in a society seemingly filled with anti-gun fanatics. Yet they carried on, taking the risks and putting their personal financial futures on the line. Season after season, step by step, they designed paintball gear for an ever-growing player base. The anti's became players, and their kids play paintball. Today's professional leagues, paintball on tv, and high tech gear stand as proof positive how risk-taking, and dedication, successfully grew this sport.
During the holiday season, make yourself a long Wish List packed with paintball--markers, paint, goggles, everything you want to update. Support the local fields and stores, and invite friends to get into paintball. Work on a play book, create a good scenario game story line. Take a tech class. And if you find yourself thinking paintball, realizing "We can do this a better way," do something about it, to help our sport grow.
Your comments and ideas are welcome: editor@actionpursuitgames.com.
