Absolute Beginner - GVRD Area

[Pointy]

Hello

A few of my friends (around 5-6), who have played paintball 3-4 times over the years, are interested in giving Airsoft a try.

We are all in the Vancouver area, in the 30-45 age range, and looking to rent for our first time. Any recommendations on where to rent from? What field to play at?

Believe none of us have our own camo or any other "tactical" type clothing, will that be an issue? Can we play in relevantly dark/neutral clothing (assume long sleeve/long pants and good boots)?

Any suggestions or tips for what to bring that wouldn't be typically be supplied with a rental?

Edit - We would be looking to play prior to the weather turning, so I would say by late September/early October.

Thanks

[DrunkenTeddy]

Originally Posted by Pointy

We are all in the Vancouver area, in the 30-45 age range, and looking to rent for our first time. Any recommendations on where to rent from? What field to play at?

Believe none of us have our own camo or any other "tactical" type clothing, will that be an issue? Can we play in relevantly dark/neutral clothing (assume long sleeve/long pants and good boots)?

Any suggestions or tips for what to bring that wouldn't be typically be supplied with a rental?

Hi Pointy,

Generally a rental includes a primary gun, battery, magazines, and goggles. Sometimes it will also include a chest rig and some BBs, but not always.

Dark clothing is okay to start if you want to see if you're really interested in investing in the sport, generally black or dark green, yes long sleeve and pants (don't come in shorts and a t shirt...) and definitely a pair of good boots.

I play with the LMAG group (lowermainlandairsoft.ca), we play at panther paintball in langley and maple ridge paintball. There's also a number of other groups that organize games, the airsoft gear store in richmond plays out of ambush paintball in surrey and they do rentals through the store. Most airsoft rentals are directly through players though. Best bet would be post on one of the local forums that you're looking to come to a game but need rentals for 3-4 people, you'll get replies for sure. Too many of us schmucks who own thousands of dollars worth of airsoft guns even tho we can only use a couple of them ourselves :P

Also check out this post for some more local information:
http://www.airsoftcanada.com/showthread.php?t=157768


Cheers,
DT

[L473ncy]

See this thread for info about the scene in the Lower Mainland.

http://airsoftcanada.com/showthread.php?t=157768

To answer your questions;

Any recommendations on where to rent from? What field to play at?

Optix (user on this forum) runs the Airsoft Gear store and also does rental packages ($65 includes field fee, 1000 BB's, Goggles, mag, battery, and I believe a hot dog and drink). I believe they usually play at Ambush Paintball on the weekends. Also drop by his store on 8060 Anderson (right across the street from Richmond City Hall, kitty corner from Richmond Centre). It's easy to access off the skytrain. Also Trigger Airsoft is nearby as well I believe on No. 6 road between Cambie and Westminister.

Believe none of us have our own camo or any other "tactical" type clothing, will that be an issue? Can we play in relevantly dark/neutral clothing (assume long sleeve/long pants and good boots)?


Yes, you can totally do a "civilian contractor" outfit. BUT avoid black, navy blues are much better at blending in than black. Even pitch dark (or small amount of light from the moon) black stands out more than navy.

Any suggestions or tips for what to bring that wouldn't be typically be supplied with a rental?

See above, and check out airsoftgear.ca for the rental package details. As for what else to bring, water and lots of it. Also nice if you freeze some of it the night before and put it in a cooler so that it acts like a cold pack and you can drink it when it's melted and still pretty cool.

[Pointy]

Thanks for information...I am going to contact Airsoft Gear for rentals, as I just feel more comfortable renting from a store then a private person (at least for the first time).

How long can we expect to play for? Last time we played paintball everyone was pretty much finished after 3-4 hours.

Also, I notice the rentals include an optional chest rig; is this for protection?

Would neck protection (such as a Shemagh) and gloves be a good idea?

[L473ncy]

Chest rig is just to carry mags and whatnot. It can act as "protection" from welts but mainly to carry crap in for easy access (mags, radio, med kit, killrag, etc.)

Pretty much like this except I think ASG's ones are Olive Drab (Green) because that's the dominant colour nearby the coast (while people like me will use Coyote Brown in badlands and Prairies).

BTW I think he needs 24 hours notice to prep a rental package for you (so he knows how much stuff to bring to the field) so if you do it by now-ish you should be all set to play when they have their weekend game.

As for gameplay I'm not 100% sure but usually 10:00 AM muster and safety brief then play to 12 or 1, break for lunch and then play for 3 more hours. So basically like 5-6 hours tops but you can always take a break in the middle of play for water and stay in the staging area for like 10-15 mins or whatever.

Neck protection is a great idea, in fact I run a shemagh to protect my teeth (loose fitting material will soak up the BB's energy and should protect against tooth chips) and neck protection. Gloves are also a good idea to protect against knuckle shots and pinky shots (like when you dribble a basketball weird and your pinky just gets destroyed).

[phloudernow]

Hmm if you have a larger group than 5 or 6 for example if you want to play between your own friends, Panther does rentals for airsoft as well. They have about 20 sets i think so if you have around that amount its not bad either you can contact them for details

[Pointy]

Thanks for all the help.

Going to rent from ASG and play at Ambush Paintball - just need to sort out with my friends which Sunday in September works best.

If I cant get anyone to join me, will like just show up by myself.