| Certain activities conjure up certain stereotypes when | | | | every major tournament. But don't put them in a |
| you hear them. For instance when you say polo you | | | | powder puff league. They like competing with the big |
| might think of male spectators in khakis wearing deck | | | | boys, and are eager to take the field against any |
| shoes with a pink sweater tied around their necks, or | | | | competitor. |
| females in party dresses and big hats sitting under a | | | | Some even say that female paintball competitors have |
| shade canopy enjoying the ponies. Likewise, if you say | | | | advantages over male competitors on the field for |
| paintball you might think of a bunch of good old boys in | | | | both physical and psycho graphical reasons. First, |
| a muddy pick up truck that's sporting a gun rack. | | | | females tend to be smaller making them a smaller |
| These guys are dressed in flannel and wearing | | | | target to hit in the open. Being smaller also allows them |
| NASCAR baseball hats. While some paintball | | | | to hide easier to avoid being hit. Secondly, females |
| enthusiasts might fit that bill, the truth is the fastest | | | | tend to be more patient than males. This means a |
| growing segment in this extreme sport is women. | | | | female competitor has no problem out waiting her |
| The latest figures available show that there are just | | | | male opponent until he outs himself. There is also |
| over 10 million paintball players in U.S. Yes, the | | | | antidotal evidence that female teammates bond |
| predominant demographic is men 18-40, but more and | | | | quicker and work together as a team better than a |
| more women are taking up arms and joining the ranks | | | | team of male lone wolf Rambos. |
| on the battlefield. Even families are getting in on the fun | | | | Regardless of these perceived advantages, one of |
| and adventure that paintball brings. That's right, paintball | | | | the great things about paintball is that it is figuratively, if |
| is going mainstream. In fact, many of the bigger | | | | not literally a level playing field. Young, old, male, female |
| tournaments around the country draw spectators and | | | | - it doesn't matter. Once that air horn blows it's your |
| corporate sponsors. A lucrative industry is popping up | | | | wits, athleticism and adrenaline that keeps you going. |
| to support the increasing amount of accessories | | | | Paintball means different things to different people. |
| players are demanding. And who knows the most | | | | Some players revel in the rush and energy from the |
| about accessorizing? Women. Everything from | | | | fast-paced game. For others, it's about teamwork and |
| markers (paintball guns) to masks to other protective | | | | strategy. Slow and steady wins the race. With the |
| gear is showing up in pastels and other female friendly | | | | female element thrown in there is a slightly different |
| colors. | | | | dynamic, and more and more male players are |
| Many women enjoy the thrill and heart pounding | | | | realizing you can't judge a book by its cover. Someone |
| excitement of paintball, and they are starting to make | | | | who appears to be meek and mild may just turn out |
| their presence known. With names like Chicks | | | | to be the most formidable player you've ever come up |
| Unlimited, The Valkyries, The Femme Fatales and | | | | against. |
| Adrenaline Crush there is usually an all female team in | | | | |