Paintball can be an all-weather sport. Here's how to make the best out of playing paintball in the rain.
Why would anyone would bother playing paintball in the rain? People play because they love to play, and rain just adds an interesting dimension to the game. Everything is slippery and muddy; crouching, running, and stopping are all harder than they normal; visibility is lower; the rain and wind do strange things to paintball trajectories; and wearing sopping clothes just isn’t fun. In short, playing paintball in the rain makes for a challenging game. (Of course, when there’s thunder or lightening, players should clear out of the paintball field!)
Having the right gear is the best way to make the most out of a rainy paintball day:
- Pack rain gear. One of those cheap ponchos (or heck, even a garbage bag) will work fine – everything is going to get filthy anyway. Another advantage to wearing a baggy poncho or garbage bag is that paintballs tend to bounce off it.
- Avoid cotton. It wicks away water, and precious body heat with it, leaving the player shivering and miserable. Instead wear the most high-tech, water-repellant stuff (keeping in mind it will probably get permanently stained or torn.)
- Cover the head. This isn’t mom saying you’ll catch your death out there with a wet head; this is practical advice. When a paintball player doesn’t cover his head (with a baseball cap or skullcap), water and mist drips down the hair and into the mask.
- Bring paper towels. On a rainy day, a mask lens (even a great thermal one) will most likely fog up. That can be easily (if only temporarily) fixed with a quick wipe of a paper towel. Remember players should NEVER remove their mask during game play. If a player simply must clear his mask in the middle of the game, the player should crouch behind a safe bunker, turn their back towards the action, and slip the paper towel under the mask while lifting it as little as possible.
- Mind the feet. Regular sneakers will get soaked and provide no traction. On a rainy day, cleats or boots make a much better choice.
- Wear gloves. Wet soggy hands get cut more easily, but this can be easily prevented with fishing gloves or the like.
- Cover anything related to paintballs – put plastic wrap over the hopper, put pods in shopping bags, etc. Moisture WILL warp paintballs, which makes them more prone to barrel breaks and ruins their trajectory.
- Cover a ported paintball gun barrel with a plastic wrap and rubber bands, or use an unported barrel instead.
- Keep a squeegee in a water-proof baggie. Players may need to use the squeegee more often than necessary on a rainy day, and it works best if it is not soaked.
- Bring a change of clothes. This is a good idea whenever anyone plays paintball, but it’s particularly essential when it’s raining. Playing clothes will be completely muddy and wet, but players will feel instantly better the moment they get into something dry.
Rain or shine, happy paintballing!
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The copyright of the article Playing Paintball in the Rain in Extreme Sports is owned by Estela Kennen. Permission to republish Playing Paintball in the Rain in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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May 6, 2009 2:26 AM
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