What is Paint Balling?

I couldn't believe that people had never heard of it so I thought id write an article about what paint balling is and why its so much fun. 
Paint balling is basically a sport where you run around like mad men trying to shoot others and prevent yourself from getting shot by your opponents who are carrying guns that shoot balls of paint. The guns are powered by compressed gas and are not very heavy. They are more like machine guns than pistol types.  
Is it Safe?
The answer is yes! There is a predicted 10 million people in the USA playing tennis and half a million in the UK. Paint balling is quoted as being more safe then tennis. You wear workman overalls, goggles and a mask all provided by the paint ball company on the day. There are strict safety rules about never removing your mask whilst playing a game and never shooting an opponent from point blank range. Does it hurt I hear you ask? The answer is unfortunately yes, but it depends on the distance from which you are shot. If you don’t want to experience a bit of pain when getting shot, then try lazer quest where an electronic target is strapped to your body which makes a noise when you are shot. With paint balling you carry round a bruise or a stinging injury for a few minutes if shot at close range!

The adrenalin rush is amazing, the paint ball centres are normally located in or around wooded area so you can imagine 30 people, 15 on each team, running round the woods hiding behind wooden tanks, in churches, in ditches shooting and getting shot at. 

The winning team is the team who have completed the objectives of the game. This can include getting the flag from the middle of battle zone back to your base or over-running the oppositions defences until there is nobody left in the game. When you are shot you put your hand in the air and walk outside of the game zone to the safe area. Hopefully some cheeky sniper will not shoot you as you are leaving the game area with your hand in the air. 

Would I recommend this to others as im sat here typing this with a bruise on my neck from not just a shot, but a shot sustained in the neck at close range! Do I accept responsibility for anyone reading this article who then goes and plays paint ball and sustains an injury – NEVER!

Davinos Greeno works for the green companies and fairtrade shopping directory that lists 100s of Organic and Ethical Companies