The Anticipation is Amazing
Adrenalin Paintball, Volcanic Paintball Tournament, Paraparaumu, Kapiti
Paintball is a fantastic fun activity, where mums, dads, kids, grandparents, and business teams, get to run around in the bush doing an adrenalin-fuelled activity, but in a safe environment. And it's great exercise when the adrenalin gets going; the sweat pours off even when you're just standing!
It's Coast Time
Adrenalin Paintball
A: Valley Rd, Paraparaumu, opposite Golf Club - phone for directions
T: 0800 ADRENALIN (237362) / 027 24PAINT(2472468)
E: adrenalinpaintballsports@hotmail.com
W: www.adrenalinpaintballsports.co.nz
2010 is going to be a big year for Adrenalin Paintball. The environment is unique to visitors from Wellington. Owner and top ranking paintball player, Jason Newport, says "There's so much to do up here. It's a family's haven really. It's all here for the taking."
When Rotorua hosted the first national Volcanic Paintball Tournament, it wasn't held in the bush. It also wasn't a playground for war games by trigger-happy adrenalin junkies. It was at the Rotorua stadium, and kicked off a strong movement to get paintball out of the war-game mentality and into the sports arena.
Jason Newport from Adrenalin Sports in Paraparaumu is a driving force behind this change in attitude about paintball. "I liken the game to chess; it's very strategic, and a lot of fun," he says. "I love being able to present this sport to people.
Jason, a national competitor in the sport, has represented New Zealand in the Australian Masters. He also won the first and second Rotorua tournaments.
Players are divided into two teams, and like a chess board, play on a symmetrical field with a flag in the middle, complete with a "sniper track for the keen ones". Over a set period of time, players have to grab the flag to win points, while avoiding getting hit. "It's good exercise," says Jason. "But you can't outrun a paintball!"
Jason's passion for paintball led him to creating Adrenalin Paintball in Waikanae, and now at his new venue in at the foothills of the Tararuas, behind Paraparaumu. The site is nestled behind a chicken farm and a logging site - a real outdoor arena.
Seeing parents and their children interact is something that drives Jason to providing a really great alternative to video games and more than a few rounds of coach potato. "Families playing together is something I'm passionate about," he says. "We get some parents who play who never usually run around with their kids. I really support that buzz."
Adrenalin Paintball runs Club days and "back me up daddy deals," and encourage both social leagues and players who want to enter paintball at a more serious level.