Paintballing Iowa
Paintballing Iowa
When looking for some summer fun for your family or friends, it can’t get much better than a friendly or competitive game of paintball. Fortunately, around Iowa we have several different courses where you can take a group of friends or your family. Our Iowa courses are accommodating to new players, or competitive fanatics. You can discover over a dozen private paintball locations across the state. Expect fields with bunkers, obstacles, and even some timber for cover.
Paintball Marker
If you are interested in getting into paintball, now is the time to start. You will catch on quickly. First, you want to start with picking out a gun, or marker. The paintball gun is the core piece of equipment. Paintball guns, or markers, come in various types. The best type of paintball marker for you depends on your budget, and skill level, and playing style. Pump-Action guns are the original and simplest type of paintball marker. These are generally the most affordable, but least popular markers. If you’re playing with friends or competitors that have semi-auto options, you will quickly wish you had a semi-automatic version.
Semi-automatic paintball guns arere a step up from pump-action in terms of firing rate. They use a CO2 power source to automatically load a new paintball after each shot. The player pulls the trigger for each shot, but doesn’t need to manually pump between shots. These markers offer a good balance between affordability, reliability, and rate of fire. While faster than pump-action, they still don’t match the rate of fire of top-of-the-line electronic paintball guns. Electronic markers are the most sophisticated type of paintball marker. They utilize electronic components to control firing modes, rate of fire, and other functions. These markers can be set to fire semi-automatically. Electronic markers offer the fastest rate of fire and the most customization options. They are ideal for experienced player who want the ultimate competitive edge. These guns have features like adjustable triggers. Electronic markers are typically the most expensive type of paintball marker, and you have to keep an eye on the battery levels.
Be Safe!
Once you get your gun out, be sure to practice. Respect the gun and employ basic gun safety. Keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction, keep your finger off the trigger until you’re ready to fire. If your gun has a safety, keep it on until you’re ready to shoot. Wear your safety equipment, and do not take off your mask while in the game. The mask protects your eyes, and there are instances where people have lost eye sight by not wearing proper equipment. Other safety equipment might include padded clothing, and if you’re going with kids, you might consider some pads to keep them from getting hurt.
Tournaments
Paintball tournaments are competitive events where teams of players battle it out for paintball supremacy! There are several courses around Iowa. Here’s a breakdown of paintball tournaments and how you can involve yourself. There are several different courses around Iowa. You can go for a fun afternoon with a couple of friends, or if you’re feeling competitive, you can get a team together and enter a tournament.
There are different types of tournaments, like speedball tournaments. Games are fast-paced and often divided into divisions based on skill level.
Another popular type of tournament is woodsball. This format is played in a more natural setting, using existing trees, brush, and other terrain features for cover. Games tend to have a slower pace and be more strategic than speedball. You can play woodsball with various team sizes. If you’re serious about entering tournaments, don’t forget your camouflage and face paint to blend into the area. I’ve seen guys laying in the timber with ghillie suits, blending into their surroundings. There are also some tournaments that incorporate scenario games.
by Jessica Graham
August 2024
