National Paintball Day

Two teams of friends wearing brightly colored protective gear, playing paintball in a wooded outdoor arena.. — National paintball day illustration

Are you ready for an adrenaline-pumping adventure? Get your gear on and prepare to dodge, duck, dip, dive, and dodge on National Paintball Day!

When is Paintball Day?

It's national paintball day on the 1st March.

The Wild World of Paintball

Picture this: you're armed with a colorful paintball gun, trying to outsmart your opponents, and your heart is racing like a cheetah chasing its lunch. Paintball has taken the world by storm, and National Paintball Day is the perfect occasion to celebrate this thrilling sport!

Though the origins of paintball can be traced back to the 1950s, it wasn't until the 1980s that the game gained widespread popularity. A group of friends, tired of the same old backyard activities, decided to create a game that combined strategy, teamwork, and a little bit of friendly competition.

Paintball involves players using air-powered guns to shoot paint-filled capsules at each other. The objective? To eliminate opponents by marking them with paint. It's like a real-life video game, but without the respawn option!

The Birth of a National Day

National Paintball Day emerged as a way to bring together paintball enthusiasts from all over the country. On this day, players gather at paintball fields, ready to engage in epic battles and showcase their skills. It's a chance to bond with fellow paintball lovers, swap war stories, and make memories that will last a lifetime.

Whether you're a seasoned paintball pro or a newcomer to the game, National Paintball Day offers something for everyone. It's not just about the thrill of the chase but also the camaraderie and sportsmanship that thrive in the paintball community.

So, grab your mask, load up your paintball gun, and get ready for a day filled with excitement and splatters of color. Happy National Paintball Day!

History behind the term 'Paintball'

1976

The Birth of the Paintball Idea

In 1976, an ingenious idea struck three friends – Hayes Noel, Charles Gaines, and Bob Gurnsey – while discussing a way to test their survival skills. They came up with the concept of a game where participants would use markers filled with non-toxic paint to shoot at each other. This idea formed the basis of what would later become known as paintball.

1976

The origins of paintball as a game.

In 1976, Charles Gaines, a writer for the magazine Sports Illustrated, and his friend Hayes Noel came up with the idea for a game they called 'Survival'. The game involved using a paint-filled pellet gun to mark opponents, inspired by Gaines' experience with the Nelson Paint Company's marking equipment.

1960s

The early days of shooting games

In the 1960s, a group of friends at a New Hampshire boarding school created a game called 'Capture the Flag'. This game involved players using a marker to shoot dye-filled capsules at each other to 'tag' opponents. This early version of shooting games would lay the foundation for the future development of paintball.

1981

The birth of paintball

In 1981, the term 'paintball' was coined by Charles Gaines and Hayes Noel in an article for Sports Illustrated. The article discussed a new game they had created during a hunting trip, where they shot at each other with paint-filled pellets using a modified paint gun. This article sparked interest in the game and laid the foundation for the term 'paintball'.

1950s

The Birth of the Paintball Concept

In the 1950s, the concept of paintball as a recreational activity began to take shape. Initially, it was used by foresters and farmers to mark trees and livestock. This idea eventually sparked the interest of adventurous individuals looking for a new form of outdoor entertainment.

1981

The birth of the term 'paintball'.

The term 'paintball' was coined by Robert G. Shepherd in 1981. Shepherd, an artist and inventor, created and patented the first commercial paintball gun known as the 'Splatmaster'. The marker was designed to be used for forestry, cattle marking, and reforestation purposes.

1981

The First Commercial Paintball Marker

In 1981, the first commercial paintball marker, the Splatmaster, was created by the Nelson Paint Company. The Splatmaster was initially used by forestry and ranching staff for marking trees and cattle, but it soon caught the attention of paintball enthusiasts. This marker propelled the popularity of paintball as a recreational game and set the stage for its rapid growth in the years that followed.

1981

The birth of a new sport

The term 'paintball' was coined by the inventor of the first commercial paintball marker, James Hale, in 1981. Hale developed the paintball marker (gun) as a recreational device for marking trees and livestock. He named it the 'Splatmaster'. The term 'paintball' referred to the ammunition used by the marker, which consisted of gelatin capsules filled with paint. The Splatmaster became the first widely available paintball gun and marked the birth of the paintball sport as we know it today.

1984

The first commercial paintball marker

In 1984, three friends named Bob Gurnsey, Hayes Noel, and Charles Gaines established the National Survival Game (NSG), the first commercial paintball field in New Hampshire. As the popularity of the game grew, they developed the first commercial paintball marker called the 'Splatmaster.' The advent of the Splatmaster made paintball more accessible and led to the term's wider recognition.

1981

The First Paintball Game

The year 1981 marked a significant milestone in the history of paintball. Three friends—Hayes Noel, Bob Gurnsey, and Charles Gaines—conceived and organized the first-ever paintball game in New Hampshire. This game was inspired by the 'capture the flag' concept and was played with Nelson paintball markers and paint-filled capsules.

1982

Paintball as a recreational sport.

In 1982, the first organized paintball game was played in Henniker, New Hampshire. The game was played by a group of twelve participants and quickly gained popularity as a recreational sport. Participants soon started forming teams and holding competitions, leading to the establishment of the first paintball field.

1982

The First Official Paintball Game

The very first official paintball game took place in June 1982, organized by Hayes Noel, Charles Gaines, and Bob Gurnsey. The game was held on a field in Henniker, New Hampshire, and featured 12 players using Nelson's Splatmaster markers. This event marked the birth of organized paintball as a competitive sport and sparked the interest of many adventure-seeking individuals.

1987

The formation of the National Paintball Association

In 1987, the National Paintball Association (NPA) was formed to promote and regulate the sport of paintball. With the establishment of the NPA, paintball began to gain formal recognition and infrastructure. This step played a crucial role in solidifying and expanding the usage of the term 'paintball' within the paintball community.

1982

National Survival Game

After the successful debut of paintball as a recreational activity, the first commercial paintball field was established in 1982. The National Survival Game field, located in Rochester, was opened by Bob Gurnsey. This venue allowed players to experience the thrill of tactical paintball games and further popularized the sport.

1982

The first organized game

The first organized paintball game took place in a field in Henniker, New Hampshire, in 1982. The game was played by twelve players who used the Splatmaster guns to compete against each other. This event marked the beginning of paintball becoming a popular recreational activity and laid the groundwork for the future development of organized paintball competitions.

1983

Publication of 'The Complete Guide to Paintball'

In 1983, J.C. Dundee, a former player and field owner, published 'The Complete Guide to Paintball,' which provided an in-depth overview of the game, its rules, and strategies. This publication played a significant role in spreading the knowledge and understanding of paintball to a wider audience.

1983

Commercialization and the rise in popularity

In 1983, the first commercial paintball field, known as the 'National Survival Game Field', opened in Rochester, New York. The field was established by Bob Gurnsey, Hayes Noel, Charles Gaines, and others who saw the potential for paintball to become a widespread activity. Paintball started gaining significant attention, and the sport's popularity began to grow rapidly. The paintball field provided a dedicated space for players to engage in intense paintball battles, fostering the growth of the sport worldwide.

1983

Paintball markers and safety improvements.

The year 1983 saw significant developments in paintball markers and safety equipment. The first semi-automatic paintball marker, the Splatmaster Semi-Auto, was invented by Robert Shepherd. Additionally, goggles specifically designed for paintball use were introduced, improving player safety and reducing the risk of eye injuries.

1984

The Introduction of the First Semi-Automatic Marker

In 1984, the first semi-automatic paintball marker, the PMI-68 Magnum, was introduced. This revolutionary marker allowed players to shoot multiple rounds without manually cocking the gun between shots. It significantly increased the speed and intensity of gameplay, making paintball even more thrilling and challenging for participants.

1992

The expansion of paintball into an organized sport

In 1992, the first World Cup of Paintball was held in Rochester, New York, marking a significant milestone for the sport. The competition gathered teams from around the world, showcasing the growth and widespread recognition of paintball as an organized sport. This event further cemented the term 'paintball' in the lexicon of competitive and recreational players.

1984

Creation of the National Paintball Association

Recognizing the need for a governing body to oversee the sport and establish standardized rules, the National Paintball Association (NPA) was founded in 1984. The NPA's primary goal was to ensure the safety and fair play of paintball by setting guidelines for equipment, gameplay, and player conduct.

1984

National survival game association formation.

To further establish and regulate paintball as a sport, the National Survival Game (NSG) Association was formed in 1984. The association set guidelines and rules for game formats, organized competitions, and promoted the growth of the paintball industry as a whole.

1988

The Founding of the National Survival Game (NSG)

In 1988, the National Survival Game (NSG) was founded by Charles Gaines and a group of paintball enthusiasts. The NSG aimed to promote the sport of paintball and organize national competitions. Under Gaines' leadership, NSG played a crucial role in popularizing paintball and establishing it as a legitimate sport with standardized rules and regulations.

1992

The rise of competitive paintball

In 1992, the first organized paintball tournament, known as the 'Ironmen World Series', was held. This marked a significant turning point for paintball as it shifted from a recreational activity to a competitive sport. The tournament was attended by teams from across the United States, and it showcased the tactical and strategic aspects of paintball. The success of the Ironmen World Series paved the way for the establishment of professional paintball leagues and the development of advanced paintball equipment.

2000s

Paintball in popular culture

Throughout the 2000s, paintball continued to gain popularity and achieved a notable presence in popular culture. It became a popular recreational activity and was featured in movies, TV shows, and video games, reaching a broader audience. This integration into popular culture contributed to the wider adoption and understanding of the term 'paintball' outside of dedicated players and enthusiasts.

1992

Indoor Paintball and Automag Marker

In 1992, the introduction of the Automag paintball marker revolutionized the sport. This semi-automatic marker provided players with increased firing accuracy and rate, ushering in a new era of paintball gameplay. Indoor arenas also began to appear, offering year-round paintball experiences regardless of weather conditions.

1992

Paintball's popularity explosion.

In 1992, paintball's popularity exploded, with an estimated three million players participating in the United States alone. Paintball fields and arenas began to spring up across the country, catering to the growing demand for the sport. The industry saw rapid technological advancements in marker designs, equipment, and paintball clothing.

1992

The Formation of the International Paintball Players Association (IPPA)

In 1992, the International Paintball Players Association (IPPA) was formed to serve as the governing body for international paintball competitions and events. The IPPA played a vital role in unifying different paintball organizations worldwide and ensuring fair play and sportsmanship across the sport. Its formation further solidified paintball's status as a global phenomenon.

Present

Global recognition and diverse formats

Paintball has now gained global recognition and is played in various formats, including speedball, scenario, woodsball, and milsim. It has become a popular recreational activity, a competitive sport, and even a military and law enforcement training tool. The term 'paintball' is now synonymous with the sport and has entered the cultural lexicon as a unique and thrilling outdoor activity.

2000

Paintball Becomes Popular Worldwide

By the year 2000, paintball had gained immense popularity worldwide. The sport continued to evolve, with advancements in marker technology, improved safety equipment, and the emergence of various competitive formats such as speedball, woodsball, and scenario games. Paintball became widely recognized as an exciting and strategic team sport.

2006

Recognition by the International Olympic Committee (IOC)

In 2006, paintball received recognition by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as an official sport. Although paintball has not yet been included in the Olympic Games, this recognition reflects the growth and acceptance of paintball as a legitimate competitive activity on a global scale. It also paves the way for potential future Olympic participation.

Did you know?

Did you know that paintball was initially used by foresters and ranchers to mark trees and cattle? Talk about going from marking territory to marking players!