| A very wise nanny once said that the very best place | | | | to play, and the essentials will be the same for |
| to start was at the beginning. I agree, and therefore, | | | | everyone regardless of budget. |
| that is where we will start with the "how to" of getting | | | | A marker (as paintball guns are called) will be available |
| into the hobby of paintball. | | | | in all shapes and sizes and range in price from less |
| Research is the very best foundation that you can put | | | | than one hundred dollars to a thousand or more. My |
| into any hobby that you wish to start. It will help you to | | | | advice is to stay away from both ends of the range. |
| know what to get, and where to go for the best times, | | | | Too cheap may mean that you will spend so much of |
| and even help you to know how to play your sport | | | | your time making repairs that your frustration level will |
| before you ever get to the playing field. | | | | propel you away from a sport that you might |
| I would begin with researching the location. Where are | | | | otherwise enjoy. Too expensive of a weapon just |
| you going to be playing? Where do you live, and what | | | | might restrict the events that you would be able to join, |
| are the perimeters surrounding your paintball gun | | | | thus limiting your ability to play. You might even want to |
| usage? If you live in the city, what are the codes to | | | | rent a few different markers from a local paintball |
| paintball gun usage in your own yard and city parks. Is | | | | shop to determine what you would actually want to |
| there any time at all that even an exception can be | | | | invest in. |
| made? You will need to be able to answer all of these | | | | A full face helmet or face mask is a must. Most |
| questions (especially if you are a child wanting to | | | | courses will not let you play without your eyes |
| present this to parents). Speedball courses would be | | | | protected, but I really advise full helmets to protect |
| an option, and will be located in most metropolitan | | | | your ears as well. Is seeing really any more important |
| areas. You will need to research all costs involved with | | | | than hearing? Not to me, it isn't. Purchase and use only |
| their usage, age, and gun requirements. Other places to | | | | eye and ear protection that is approved for paintball. |
| research would be city parks, country clubs, and golf | | | | A hopper is used to feed the paintballs into your |
| courses. Take all negative answers with respect, and | | | | chamber. There are many kinds on the market and |
| even plant a seed in their minds that there might be a | | | | need to be compatible with your marker. A hopper |
| market that would be compatible with their current | | | | that feeds electronically will be more silent and assist in |
| business that they are neglecting to earn money from. | | | | any covert moves you make. You may want a |
| Never hurts. If you live in a rural area, you should not | | | | hopper that will feed your next shot while you are |
| have any problem using your own personal property, | | | | shooting your already chambered shot. This way, as |
| but I would check with county regulations anyway. | | | | you move locations between shots your hopper will |
| Friends with farms are often a wonderful resource to | | | | not be alerting the competition to your location. During |
| begin this hobby. Check with state and federal park | | | | your research phase, you will have determined |
| rules and regulations. Do not ever overstep the bounds | | | | whether you need a belt drive hopper or electronically. |
| of common courtesy when using someone else's | | | | You might not need the silent feature, and be able to |
| personal property or public properties. | | | | go with a lower priced hopper. |
| Next, I would research who else plays in my area. I | | | | Propellant comes in many kinds, from pump it yourself, |
| would want to know specific teams determined by | | | | to compressed air or carbon dioxide. You will need to |
| age, physical ability, types of weapons used and types | | | | know what kind of compressed air tank your gun |
| of games played. If I had a specific physical need (like | | | | requires: small 12 gram tanks, or larger tanks that |
| wheelchair dependent), I would want to know if there | | | | screw on to your gun. Larger tanks will be able to |
| are enough other such folks wanting to paintball and | | | | shoot hundreds of paintballs. Choosing refillable tanks |
| enough to make competitive teams. I would want to | | | | have an advantage, as most paintball shops have the |
| know if there are teams in my area open to someone | | | | ability to refill for you. This, of course, will be an ongoing |
| of my age and the weapons I choose to use. If not, I | | | | expense so budget for it. |
| would not just roll over and give up. It would be time to | | | | Another ongoing expense to budget for will be your |
| begin posting signs and articles encouraging others to | | | | paintballs. They come in many different colors and |
| enter the arena with me. I would keep up this initiative | | | | price points. The cost of paintballs cover a wide range, |
| until I had enough of whatever I was looking for to | | | | just like the guns do, and again, my advice is to not |
| form a competitive team. | | | | choose either extreme end of the range. Price usually |
| The equipment is probably the area that will need the | | | | determines grade of paintball. There are "practice" |
| least research because the most advertising is already | | | | grades and "competition" grades. I recommend a |
| been done. I would still research it, however. I would | | | | mid-range ball that can be used for both. To "chop" a |
| want to know how many paintball shops were in my | | | | ball in the chamber means a time out for the player to |
| area, and how many of them had courses attached. I | | | | take apart his weapon and clean it. This should be |
| would also check online shops until I found ones that | | | | avoided at all costs. It is frustrating and can cause lack |
| would provide the items that I required at the best | | | | of interest in a very fun sport. |
| possible prices. More expensive does not always | | | | Other items that I like to always have in my paintball |
| mean better. | | | | "travel bag" include: water and snacks, screw driver |
| After the research is all done, and you have made up | | | | and allen wrenches, extra o-rings and appropriate |
| your mind about whether you have a place to play or | | | | clothing. Layering is always a good idea, but never |
| not and someone to play with, the next thing for you | | | | more appropriate than when playing paintball. You may |
| to decide will be the investment that you are willing to | | | | start out in the early forenoon, and end up in the heat |
| make. In researching the equipment, you have come | | | | of the day. Keeping yourself covered so that you do |
| up with some kind of idea as to what you will be | | | | not bruise too badly with hits is always a good idea, |
| needing to set aside to invest in this hobby. This dollar | | | | but if you layer correctly, you can remain comfortable |
| amount will not be the same for every hobbyist, either. | | | | during the day. You may also be sidelined along the |
| Young children dependent on the finances of their | | | | way for penalties of some kind, and if you can |
| parents will set a different budget than young adults | | | | remove a jacket or heavy shirt while you wait to |
| who have their own income to budget. In either case, | | | | re-enter the game, it will be more comfortable. |
| the needs are the same, and that is what we will be | | | | I hope this has been helpful, and that you have enjoyed |
| addressing today. You may want to start small, with | | | | a grandmother's take on how to get started in a |
| only the basics, and grow your equipment as you | | | | young person's hobby. See you on the course! |
| develop your skills. Basic equipment will get you ready | | | | |