Paintballing at Blackwatch

Owner, Carrie Dawn, contacted me shortly after to set up a time for me to come down.

“I think it would be a great idea,” she said, “especially being a girl…most girls don’t want to play because they think it’s going to hurt.”

“Oh yeah sure,” I respond while a voice in my head cries ‘oh it’s going to hurt!’

The playing field at Blackwatch has walk-on games scheduled each week on Sunday from about 12 to 6 and she thought that would be the best time to come and play with a group.

I have to admit I was slightly nervous with the prospect of going to play with a group of regulars, all men.

I was sure to be destroyed.

Thinking I could tie this assignment into a date as well, my husband, Craig came with me.

We got dressed in clothes that hopefully would blend into the scenery so we wouldn’t become too easy targets for the other gamers and headed out towards Barrington and made the turn onto Goose Lake Road just East of Barrington off the 103.

Carrie took me on a tour of the field that turned out to be an impressive 5 plus acres and included various bunkers scattered throughout including a wooden tank.

In some games they would let off smoke bombs and set up paint mines to make the games more interesting (some people even have paint grenades-how cool is that?)

There were paths in every direction where players could scatter and hide and the area mostly consisted of forest with terrain that curved up down and around.

Perfect for woods ball or so I am told.

Once the tour was over, Craig and I waited to be geared up and the games to begin.

Blackwatch had all the gear needed available for field rentals including a Tippmann 98 Custom with Anti- chop Technology (paintball marker), a VForce Vantage field mask, 12oz Co2 tank (filled) and 200 round hopper paintballs.

Additional paintballs were also available starting at $15 for 500 rounds.

A group of about 20 had gathered for the day and amongst them were regulars as well as a handful of newcomers.

There was a good atmosphere to the group. Everyone seemed both friendly and approachable and was there to have fun.

Dana Weeks, who volunteers his weekends to organize and referee at the games along with Carrie, went through the rules and safety.

Masks on at all times, no shooting within 10 feet of someone, stay within marked boundaries and have fun.

Before beginning, every player had to shoot his or her markers over a chronograph that checks the velocity of their rounds; to make sure everyone was shooting at the same safe speed.

We were divided into two teams, I on one side (surprisingly I was not picked last) and Craig on the opposing team and were signaled by Dana to move onto the field.

My nerves came back at the prospect of being shot at by a quickly moving glob filled ball of paint and a small sound of panic escaped my lips.

“Nervous?” asked one of my teammates.

I nodded my assent and searched the playing field for a place to hide.

I ducked behind a barricade that looked safe enough and within seconds, the sounds of paint balls being fired filled the air.

I ducked my head up and could see the mask of an opposing player peaking out from behind a rock across the field.

I aimed and fired and the ‘enemy’ ducked back to avoid my shots.

Oh yeah this is fun.

I decided to get closer to the action and ran towards another safe looking rock.

As I ran I could hear the shots firing towards me and three rounds exploded against the rock I was now behind.

All around, I could hear the voices of fallen opponents yelling out hit and wielding their markers high in the air, signaling players not to shoot them, my husband one of them.

I kept shooting and so far avoided getting hit myself.

Braver now, I raised myself up to eliminate my pesky opponent that kept aiming his shots my way and was rewarded by the splat of an orange coloured paintball on my forearm.

It did not hurt at all.

Smiling I got up and raised my marker and walked off the field.

Games switched up each round to make things interesting and included capture the flag, elimination and rabbit.

Craig and I amongst four other were the rabbits and the rest of the group would hunt down the five of us. Our goal was to try to make it back to the beginning without being shot.

Oh yeah, that sounds easy.

I was reminded of Owen Wilson in Behind Enemy lines and began to find my way through the woods.

As I walked along as quietly as I could I saw a flash of a camo sleeve edging closer to me. The smart thing to do would be to keep hiding and let him walk past and be kept unaware of my position but it was much more fun to shoot. I raised my gun and fired about five rounds off but missed each time.

All was quiet except for the sounds of shots in the distance. There was no movement of the person I knew to be lurking nearby.

After a few minutes of deliberation, I moved forward. As I was halfway through my fifth step, I knew I was a goner. The round hit my barrel smack in the centre spraying paint all over.

I looked over at the shooter and he gave a cheerful wave and grinned before moving on to his next victim.

Craig, who had gotten shot the first minute of the first two rounds was determined to last a bit longer and was imitating the classic army crawl through the bushes and along the ground. Not an easy feat at 6’2 to become invisible.

As he crawled along he snagged his pant leg on an offensive thorn bush but with his adrenaline pumping in the chase, he ignored it and kept moving…right into the path of two markers aimed straight at him.

“Surrender,” said the older of the two opponents.

Craig foolishly refused and the player spoke to the younger teammate offhandedly giving his order as he walked away.

“Finish him.”

Two shots later and he was out as well.

We both walked cheerfully to the car after an afternoon of fun and excitement and of trying something new and enjoying it. I think Craig was especially pleased he got a chance to shoot me down one match but I know I will get him back next time.

Go to www.blackwatchpaintball.com for info on playing or call 902-637-3426. Keep calendar free for big senerio game, to help raise money for new speedball field, at Blackwatch Paintball July 8.