Killing Fields
We met at 9am on a dank grey winter morning in the car park next to a wood with trepidation about the day's events. Other groups also formed some of whom, maybe it was just my imagination, looked more gorilla than human in form. Each group eyeing the other suspiciously. Clearly they were more experienced and willing to do battle. My foreboding increased – was it too late to change my mind. Stories from friends had not helped my state of mind.
On entering the site in the wood, with little formality, our conscription papers were taken from us and we were handed our kit ( head mask, damp black overalls, a plastic bag of paintballs and what looked like a vessel for holding bodily fluids which was actually a container for the paintballs). On closer investigation the paintballs appeared fairly hard but reassuringly it was possible to squeeze them between your fingers. Bright yellow paint oozed out.
The area we were in resembled a scene from Mash – army tents, wooden buildings and benches covered in camouflage netting ( presumably to protect us from some imaginary airstrikes). The mood amongst the troops was sombre. The marshals dressed in high visibility yellow jackets gave us a safety talk stressing the importance of following the rules – people have been seriously hurt during these exercises in the past. Gulp.
At last we were handed our rifles (CO2 powered) and we able to test them out at targets on a shooting range. The guns made a slight popping sound as the paintballs were fired. Holding the trigger down caused the gun to rapid fire. Then it was onto the first battle zone – Bridge. Our team colour-coded white was against the nasty evil good for nothing oranges. At the start of the first game I must admit to some fear at being hit by the paintballs but by the second game I was a crazed battle hardened commando. The only good orange is one covered in yellow paint. Each game lasted 10 minutes each way with 6 games in total ( Graves - Shapes, Bridge, Hostage, Speed Ball, Attack / Defend Building and Jungle ). As the day progressed we gained confidence and started to try different strategies – it was like being in the army but with no real danger of being killed. On the final game Greg ran into the center of the game zone under heavy fire to try and collect a flag whilst given protection by the other members of the team.
This was pure fun but it was hard not to make comparisons standing in six inches of freezing cold mud with pellets flying around your head in the rain with some of the experiences I imagine happened in the World War 1 trenches. Taking breaks after each game for tea made with slightly dirty cups only added to the realism.
I would highly recommend paintballing for ages 14 years up wards. You do need to be able to withstand slight bruising but nothing more than that. Even Ghandi might enjoy paintballing. A great release for pent up frustration.We were joined by Callum, Alex, and Brandon. We counted them all out and we counted them all in again.
http://www.ipg.uk.net/
posted by Fortune's fool @ 12:38 PM
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