1. What is paintball?
2. Is paintball safe?
3. How old do I have to be to be able to play?
4. Does it hurt when I get hit?
5. Are individuals welcome at paintball fields, or is membership on a team necessary?
6. Can girls play?
7. What services are offered at Bubba's Paintball?
8. How much does it cost to play paintball?
9. What should I wear?
10. Glasses or contacts?
11. Where is additional information about paintball available?
 

1. What is paintball?

Paintball is an adult version of "capture the flag" children's game. It involves both mind and body, requiring the development of strategy and the execution of plans under constantly changing conditions. The game provides excitement and thrills, as well as healthful exercise and satisfying competition.

Paintball is played by teams, usually comprising four to ten members, that advance on or defend their flags. Participants use paintballs to mark one another with water soluble, non-toxic color to determine who is "out" for the round. The paintballs are propelled by paintball markers. The game ends when  having marked (and thus eliminating) a sufficient number of opponents, one team has brought to its "home base" the opposing teams flag.

2. Is paintball safe?

Paintball is an action sport, similar to football, hockey, and basketball. Players must use and wear prescribed safety equipment, and defer to calls by on-field officials who regulate the action. The paintballs are light thin plastic spheres about a half inch in diameter. They resemble bubble bath pellets, and propelled at 200-300 feet per second, break upon impact to release their color (which is easily washed from clothing), resulting in minimal (if any) pain. Because paintball calls for athletic movement, safety is enhanced when players are in reasonably good physical condition.

3. How old do I have to be in order to play?

Bubba's Paintball has a minimum playing age of 10.  If you are under the age of 18, a Parent Permission Form is also required.

4. Does it hurt when I get hit?

Well,70% of the time it feels like someone tapping you to get your attention.30% of the time it's like a wet towel snap from school or a good rubber band snap. (OK if I take one or two as long as I can give one or two.) Bare skin hurts more than covered. Gloves aren't a bad idea either. Hand shots can bite.

5. Are individuals welcome at paintball fields, or is membership on a team necessary?

Both individuals and established teams are welcome. Informal teams are organized on a per game or per day basis to accommodate unaffiliated players.

6. Can girls play?

Heck yes. Girls are great at this game. About 30% of our players are girls this year and they LOVE IT. But be careful guys, if she's your girlfriend and you like spending time paintballing with just your friends you may not be able to once she becomes ADDICTED.

7. What services are offered by Bubba\s Paintball?

Bubba's provides rental equipment, instruction, 7 fields ( 6 wooded, 1 speedball), referees to officiate at games, supplies (i.e., paintballs,CO₂, HPA, etc), the largest pro shop in the area, friendly and knowledgeable staff, equipment maintenance, and refreshments.

8. How much does it cost to play paintball?

Each paintball facility establishes its own prices. However, at Bubba's Paintball, a day of play ( 9AM-1:00PM or 2:00PM-6:00PM) runs about $40. This  fee  includes rental of equipment, such as mask or goggles, semi-automatic marker, and an initial supply of 500 paintballs. Better than basic performance equipment is available at an additional $10, and extra paintballs are sold for less than five cents each. Supplies such as CO₂ for players who own their equipment is offered.

New and used paintball equipment is sold in our pro shop. Marker prices may range from $80 to over a thousand dollars, for the most sophisticated models. Goggles begin at about $50, with paintballs costing three or four cents apiece. Please see our prices page for more details.

9. What should I wear?

It is wise to wear long sleeved shirts and pants. Shorts are not recommended. Although the paint does wipe off and wash out don't wear your best clothes. Most people like camouflage clothing however dark earth tone colors work also.
Guys may want to wear a cup. (No Bubba's does not rent  them out!) Having pockets is a must. You need a place to put the barrel plug while you are playing. You should also have a good place to put your car keys as you wouldn't be the first to lose them on the field. For more information on this we can give you a list of people who have had this problem. Brad Schlag of UWEC would be of great help.

10. Glasses or contacts?

Contacts are preferred. We do have thermal lenses in our goggles to prevent fogging but glasses will still fog up. If you own your own equipment I would recommend buying JT goggles so you can put a fan in them. Personally I think if you fall in love with this game, go for LASIK eye surgery.

11. Where is additional information about paintball available?

News and information about the sport appear in magazines such as Action Pursuit Games and Paintball Magazine. The rec.sport.paintball newsgroup is open to Internet users. Participants discuss various aspects of the sport, including equipment technology, playing strategies, and facility reviews. If you have any questions, you may contact us by e-mail at todd@bubbaspaintball.com or post a message on our open forum, Bubba's Splatter Chatter.