| Paintball has only been around since the early 1980's, | | | | speedball courses with air bumpers would be |
| but it is gaining popularity and has a very loyal fan | | | | appropriate for each age group and physical capacity. |
| base. If you have never played it, it is time to find out | | | | Owners of courses might even want to consult with a |
| what it is all about. Most of us older folks recall fondly | | | | wheelchair bound participant to add ramps and |
| of running around as children playing tag, king-of-the-hill | | | | obstacles that would enhance the challenge without |
| and hide and seek. Right? While we may not want to | | | | making them a deterrent. For less formal organization, |
| revert back to these simple, childhood games, the | | | | games could be a simple gathering of friends playing in |
| adrenaline rush is still desirable at any age and can be | | | | their own back yards. (Make sure to find out the city |
| achieved by the game of paintball. Because of the | | | | codes regarding paintball gun usage in your city limits). |
| versatility, a game can be adapted to most all age | | | | Beginners, of any age, do not need expensive |
| brackets and physical abilities. The most important | | | | weapons to get into this sport; in fact, I recommend |
| factor is that in all competition, all or most players meet | | | | that they not be. Give yourself room to grow and |
| the same perimeters. | | | | develop in skills with your new hobby by start small |
| There is much written for the older teens and young | | | | (like with a Spyder MR1 for as little as $149 in some |
| adults who participate in paintball activities; but most | | | | instances) and developing on to possibly a sniper |
| competitions leave out the somewhat younger and | | | | position using a RAP4 Frostbite Sniper for around |
| much older folks that might have economic and | | | | $825. You would not want to make that kind of |
| physical disadvantages entering into this sport. This | | | | investment and later find that you do not even have |
| article will examine some ways to bridge these gaps | | | | the time or interest to continue in the sport. An |
| to recognize how the younger and older residents of | | | | inexpensive marker (as paintball guns are called), a |
| our communities can be included in this fun sport of | | | | great mask or face helmet, a hopper (to hold and feed |
| paintball. | | | | balls into your gun), air tank (the propellant needed to |
| The first consideration would be to find a group of | | | | fire a paintball), and your paintballs are all that is needed |
| eight to ten players in a particular age group or | | | | to get started. Even on a fixed income (for the retired |
| physical capacity; e.g. ages 10-12 Youngsters, 14-16 | | | | folks) or as a Christmas or birthday gift for the |
| Novice, 50-60 Over-the-Hill, or 60-70 Old Timers, or by | | | | younger participants, the cost of these basics can be |
| physical capabilities; e.g. wheelchair bound, crutches, etc. | | | | very reasonable. I would suggest taking the winter |
| As long as the perimeters are equal for each group of | | | | months, which would be down time in most states, to |
| players, there should be no limits to the fun that can be | | | | save toward the pieces that you would like to acquire. |
| had. | | | | You might consider doing odd jobs around your |
| The particular perimeters might even define the playing | | | | community to earn a little extra money just to spend |
| field and type of competition held: for example, | | | | on this hobby. |
| Youngsters and Old Timers might want to play on a | | | | The most important thing to remember is that this |
| fairly level, sparsely populated woods areas, while the | | | | sport can be for you too. The only thing that can limit |
| Novice and Over-the-Hill folks might enjoy a steeper | | | | you will be yourself. |
| and more densely populated woods. Of course, | | | | |