BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – MANAGEMENT and staff of SKNVibes brought the curtains down on the online media house’s 10th Anniversary celebration with an adrenaline-pumping, fun-filled outdoor sport called Paintball.
Paintball is a sport in which players compete in teams or individually to eliminate opponents by tagging them with capsules containing water soluble dye and gelatin shell outside propelled from a device called a paintball marker (commonly referred to as a paintball gun).
The game is often played at a sporting level with organised competition involving worldwide leagues, tournaments, professionals and also amateurs. It tests the accuracy, maneuverability, fitness and offensive as well as defensive strategies of it’s the competing participants.
Additionally, this technology is used by military forces, law enforcement, para-military and security organisations to supplement military training, riot response, and non-lethal suppression of dangerous suspects.
Paintball was introduced to the twin-island Federation by entrepreneur and Reserve Officer of the St. Kitts-Nevis Defence Force, Lieutenant Regiwell Francis.
Francis stated that on its introduction to the Federation as SK Paintball, the game was played at a location in New Guinea but on ‘Good Friday’ (Apr. 6) the sport would move to its official home at Dewars, an area near Beacon Heights.
And the New Guinea venue is where the staff of SKNVibes went on Saturday (Mar. 24) to participate in the sport, where they all expressed the desire to return either as individuals or as a group.
Explaining to this publication what motivated him to make paintball a game open to the public, Francis said he and a group of friends came together and decided to play the game on a regular basis, and they have since grown in numbers and he is now getting requests from various groups to participate.
He also explained that because of the new location being close to the Bypass Road, a safety net would be erected to avoid the paintball rounds coming into contact with vehicles and or pedestrians traversing the thoroughfare.
“We’re opening our field on Good Friday. We have 20 markers, over 20 000 paintball rounds and all the equipment including masks that are required for participation in this sport.
“We have been doing this on weekends and people have been getting hooked on it. If someone wants to book their spot, they can call me at 662-8930. For groups, they have to book ahead. Right now we’re going to be there on Saturdays and Sundays between 3-6 p.m. and once we get the lightening organised we’ll hopefully shift from 4-9 p.m. in the evening,” Francis said.
Paintball is fast-paced and action-packed and is said to be the only sport in which size does not matter, and women as well as men enjoy playing it.
Loose clothing is important
Each player will have to walk with their own clothing. Players are encouraged to take clothing that they don’t mind getting down on the ground in; clothing that fully covers the body; clothing not too clingy and also something that covers the hair.
When an individual shows up to SK Paintball, they will be given a mask to protect their eyes and mouth, a marker with 100 rounds, and introductions on how to handle the marker.
The paintball uses CO2 or Carbon Dioxide to fire the rounds that are filled on site.
The cost is EC$100 for 100 rounds with equipment, and for the second 100 rounds of paintballs one will have to pay only EC$25.
Also, if you have your own paintball gear, you too can be a part of the fun. According to Francis, just bring your equipment and pay a small usage fee for the field.
“It’s a good sport for groups to encourage leadership skills. It’s exciting and gives off an adrenaline rush as well as it is physical,” he said.
But don’t get hit
Wearing loose clothing will minimise the impact of the paintball if you are hit. Some describe the hit as a sting while it leaves a mark on others, that is why it is important to follow one of the safety rules that speaks to avoiding hitting a person from 10 feet or less.
“After the safety rules, basically you have fun. However, we have various types of games to play…once you get hit you are out. You can play ‘Every man for himself’, ‘Save the President’ or ‘Capture the flag’.”
Among the rules participants are told are to always keep their mask on during the game and to ensure the safety button on the marker is applied if they are not engaged in the game. Also, the marker must always be pointed downward before the game commences.
“Because of the environment and gun violence around us, we want to show the public that that has been considered in the implementation of the sport into the Federation. We have a panel that consists of Police, Customs and Defence Force personnel from whom each individual has to be approved before they can participate in the game.
“We’re not going to allow people to come here to train on how to shoot. Paintball marking is different from people shooting on the street. But the perception of when people hear paintball markers, they may want to rummage the idea that we’re teaching people how to shoot. We’re not doing that. We strongly believe that the bad influence in society should not take away from such a great sport as paintball. If you’re a gang member, police having issues with you, please don’t come because you wouldn’t be allowed. Or if you have a marker that you did not pay duty on, you will not be allowed either,” Francis said.
Francis said he had even received request from a local church group indicating its interest in playing the sport.
To participate in the SK Paintball game, one has to be 18 years or over. However, anyone under 18 will have to be accompanied and supervised by an adult.
