More About Paintball

How it all Started

The concept of the Paintball Game was originally conceived by three men; Bob Gurnsey, Hayes Noel, and Charles Gaines. Their intent was to settle a longtime debate about who was more cunning, city slickers, or the real world smarts of country men. The first known Paintball game was played in the woods of New Hampshire in 1981, with twelve competitors playing capture the flag, using shop goggles and CO2 powered "Nelson paintball pistols" (pictured Below), and Nelson brand oil-based permanent paintballs, which were originally used for marking cattle and trees. The goal of this original match was to capture all twelve participants’ flags, without being “eliminated” by being shot. On this fateful June afternoon, the eventual winner, country-boy Ritchie White, captured all twelve flags without firing a single shot!

Paintball pioneer Bob Gurnsey saw the potential of what went on that day in the woods of New Hampshire, so he went on to secure direct sources of the necessary products from the companies that supplied paintballs and markers to forestry and agricultural markets. He then marketed the first Paintball Game field franchises under the banner of the “National Survival Game”. In 1983, the first official N.S.G. Paintball tournament was held, and the die was cast.

Paintball Today

Since 1981, the sport has expanded into a multi million-dollar industry, with dozens of manufacturers supplying products to thousands of entrepreneurs, who have opened commercial Paintball Game sites and retail stores to the public, including both indoor and outdoor venues.

In 15 short years, the sport of paintball has become recognized as one of the world's most exciting outdoor participation sports. Paintball is played in over 40 countries by millions of men and women of all ages and lifestyles. Whether homemakers or high-school students, professionals or retirees, all paintball players share in common a love for adventure and a strong competitive spirit.

Paintball has become such a popular sport, that new variations of the game have developed to allow spectators to fully view the game, and has regular spots on American ESPN channel. These new variations of the game consist of 5, 7 or 10-man teams battling on open fields with air filled bunkers on them (see pictures below). These fields put more demand on players to work as a team creating a more exciting and viewable sport.

Paintball is an exciting sport, and above all paintball is fun! It's a chance to shake off your day-to-day responsibilities and rekindle your spirit of adventure. When the adrenaline starts pumping, you can't help but love the thrill of the game!