Frequently Asked Questions
WHAT IS PAINTBALL?
Paintball is a fun filled adrenalin charged day of laughs and excitement for anyone over the age of 12yrs. Paintball could be likened to such games as tag, cops-and-robbers, hide-and-seek and even chess. Players use intelligence, cunning and determination to succeed rather than physical strength.
Games are usually very simple with flags playing an integral role in most. A typical game is double flag grab where teams start at opposite ends of a field and have a set time to try and retrieve the opposition teams flag. Tagging players on your way to securing a flag is just a means to an end. Strategy, stealth and teamwork are your most valuable tools.
IS IT SAFE?
Any sport has its risks, but according to American insurance statistics, paintball is much safer than golf, tennis, swimming, jogging and many other sports. To the best of our knowledge, there have been no serious injuries anywhere in Australia in at least the last 20 years.
At THE PAINTBALL PLACE referees monitor and control all playing areas ensuring a high standard of safety. Face, ear and neck protection are supplied and are a requirement for all players. In short, paintball is a very safe sport.
WHAT IS THE MINIMUM AGE?
NOTE:There are different laws governing the sport in the different states.
In N.S.W. where THE PAINTBALL PLACE is located, paintball has been legal for over 20 years.
The Law in N.S.W. is:
No players under the age of 12.
No player can be under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
WHAT IS THE MAX AND MIN NUMBER OF PLAYERS?
At THE PAINTBALL PLACE we can handle a Maximum of 250 players a day.*
NO! We would not play 125 against 125. We would probably run 4 or 5 groups, with a maximum of 15 to 25 per side. Each group would have their own referees, and circulate through 6 to 8 different fields during the day.
For special purposes some of our fields are large enough to play up to 40 a side. Provided we have a group playing that you can join, the Minimum no. is 1! When there are no other players on a particular day the Minimum number of players is 10 (5 per side).
* Due to Covid-19 we have restrictions in place for smaller bookings and allocated time sessions, please contact us for more information
WHAT IS A PAINTBALL MARKER?
A paintball marker (or paintball gun) is basically an air rifle. It is operated generally by compressed air, and is used to propel marking pellets (about the size of a jaffa), called paintballs. Even at maximum elevation, a paintball marker can only lob a paintball about 70metres.
You can often see a paintball coming and can duck out of the way if you are very, very quick. By law in N.S.W., the speed of paintball markers cannot exceed 300 feet per second (approx. 320kph).
We use Semi-automatic – just pull the trigger and the paintballs keep coming (in theory).
Upgrade markers are also available on the day for an extra cost for players that really want to let loose.
WHAT IS A PAINTBALL?
A paintball is a small spherical capsule comprising of a thin gelatine shell or skin and a coloured liquid filling. The filling, or paint as it is known as, is a non-toxic, non-caustic, water-soluable and biodegradable vegetable based dye. When a paintball finds its target the gelatin skin splits open leaving a bright “paint” mark or “tag”.
DOES IT HURT WHEN YOU GET HIT?
The paint pellet breaks on impact, and generally cause very little pain. The best way to describe a hit would be a stinging sensation. Being hit by a paintball would not be as painful as being hit by a squash ball or a thrown tennis ball. Of course, the closer you are to the muzzle of the marker, the faster the paintball is travelling when it hits you. This means close range shots may sting a little more.
WHAT SAFETY EQUIPMENT DO I NEED?
THE PAINTBALL PLACE supplies its customers with all the essential safety equipment.
The essential equipment includes:
full ears-to-ear head protection
a neck guard
For Women:
chest protection
fingerless gloves
padded vest
Optional equipment:
Gloves (sale $15)
groin guards. (sale $8)
DO I NEED TO BE PHYSICALLY FIT?
Men and women of greatly varied fitness levels can enjoy paintball equally. The secret is to pace yourself to your own fitness level. It is also worth noting that we at THE PAINTBALL PLACE have had players successfully play in wheelchairs, with broken or injured arms and believe it or not, on crutches.
CAN I WASH PAINT OUT OF MY CLOTHES?
Paintballs are basically, biodegradable food dye, inside a gelatin skin. Slightly soapy water will generally remove residue from clothes and off your skin.
CAN ANYONE PLAY?
In N.S.W. the law requires players to be at least 12 years of age. Other than age, paintball is a sport in which men and women compete on an equal footing, and age is not dominated by youth. At THE PAINTBALL PLACE written parental consent and photo ID is required for players who are under the age of 18.
WHAT DO I NEED TO BRING?
Comfortable shoes are probably the most important item players need to bring, but old clothes are a good idea (coveralls are supplied). If you own any suitable equipment such as knee pads, groin guards or gloves etc… you are more than welcome to bring and use them.
HOW LONG ARE THE GAMES?
Most games are limited to 10 or 15 minutes. You will play at least two games on each field, swapping ends after each game. This ensures action packed games with no thumb twiddling time.
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU GET HIT?
Rules will differ from field to field. Normally the first portion of any game is lives; which means you just return to your base and resume playing. The later portion of the game, however, is always elimination, which means you must exit the field and wait for the next game to begin (usually only a few minutes).
CAN WE PLAY ON OUR OWN?
To guarantee you play with your own group only, we require a minimum of 40 players.* With your own group you will have your own set of referees, and will circulate through the various fields independently of any other groups. As with all bookings, a deposit of $50 per head will need to be paid prior to the date of play.
*Due to Covid-19 we have restrictions in place for smaller bookings and allocated time sessions, please contact us for more information