| Ron Fowler said it feels like being hit with | | | | "There is such an adrenaline rush that you |
| a wet towel. Bryan Vasaris said it's like | | | | don't even feel it." |
| being snapped with a rubber band or stung by | | | | |
| a bee. Being shot by a paintball gun doesn't | | | | For those who want to experience that rush, |
| sound very fun. So why is paintball one of | | | | there are plenty of paintball facilities |
| the fastest growing sports in America, | | | | around Cincinnati. A good place to start for |
| according to the National Sporting Goods | | | | beginners is the Hueston Woods Paintball Club |
| Association? "It's a stress relief, because | | | | at Hueston Woods State Park. |
| you can go out and shoot at people and not | | | | |
| dangerously hit them," Vasaris said. "But | | | | Tom Arvan, who has been the paintball club's |
| it's also being with a group of guys that you | | | | general manager for 12 years, likes to |
| like to hang around with." | | | | promote the game to new players. "My personal |
| | | | enjoyment is seeing the kids play and seeing |
| The most commonly played paintball game is | | | | first-time players come off the field with a |
| "capture the flag." There are rules | | | | grin on their face," Arvan said. |
| variations, but the object is for a team to | | | | |
| capture the opposing team's flag while | | | | Hueston Woods is open every Saturday and |
| protecting its own. Players eliminate | | | | Sunday from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and offers two |
| opponents by shooting them with their | | | | fields, including one that is wooded with |
| paintball guns. | | | | some constructed obstacles. The cost to play |
| | | | is $27, which includes a gun, a carbon |
| The games can be played outside in an open | | | | dioxide tank, 200 paintballs and protective |
| field or forest, or inside at a specially | | | | gear. Players who have their own equipment |
| designed facility with inflatable bunkers and | | | | pay $12. The fields are open Monday through |
| other obstacles. "It's not the hide-and-seek | | | | Friday by reservation for groups of 15 or |
| game everyone thinks," Vasaris said. "It's | | | | more. Arvan said Hueston Woods has catered to |
| really action-packed and fast-paced." Players | | | | birthday parties, bachelor parties, |
| use carbon dioxide- or nitrogen-powered guns | | | | fraternity and sorority parties and corporate |
| that fire thin, gelatin capsules filled with | | | | outings. "We have had high praises from |
| non-toxic paint - the "paintballs." | | | | corporate groups for team-building," Arvan |
| | | | said. "It's a game that really fosters some |
| Vasaris, 22, who has been playing paintball | | | | friendship and sportsmanship." |
| since he was in high school, will be a senior | | | | |
| at the University of Cincinnati this year and | | | | Arvan said his paintball field is open to |
| is the president of the school's paintball | | | | players of all skill levels. "Paintball is a |
| team. He said getting shot isn't as bad as it | | | | sport that isn't dominated by youth and |
| seems. "After the first time, I didn't even | | | | physical size," Arvan said. "We've had mom, |
| think about getting hit," Vasaris said. | | | | dad, grandma and grandpa out here. |