Sun, May 4 2008 - Paintball @ Capture the Flag (View Original Event Details)
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A perfect day for paintball if I do say so myself! For many of us this was our first visit to Capture the Flag and I am guessing it won’t be our last. We arrived around 130pm and were greeted with lots of sunshine, pleasant temperatures and hot dogs cooking on the bbq. Our group was made up of a good mix of familiar and new faces that quickly got to know each other while suiting up to take the field.
Once we had our gear and ammunition sorted out we received a safety briefing and had an opportunity to take some target practice before posing for a few group photos. We then split into 2 teams with members sporting either a red or yellow armband to identify themselves.
ROUND 1
Our first battle was played out on course 4&5 which consisted of a fort at either end with lots of trees and bunkers scattered throughout. Each team had a flag placed in close proximity to their fort and the object was to retrieve the opposing team’s flag and return back to their own base without being struck by a paintball. If you were hit you had to make your way back to the main house known as “heaven” and the ring bell before being permitted to re-enter the game. At one point the RED team found a flag and returned back to their base only to discover it was the wrong flag (apparently it had been left on the course by an earlier group). After about an hour though the RED team did eventually locate the proper flag and won the game. We then all headed back to “heaven” for a short break, a few drinks and some bbq hot dogs before heading over to our next course known as the “BUS” field.
ROUND 2
We arrived onto the “BUS” field where this time teams battled in an effort to capture the same flag located in the middle of the field. Our base was an old broken down school bus and the field was much smaller, void of trees but loaded with stacks of tires. If you were hit in this game you were out for the duration so you had to be extra cautious. We played 3 short games on this course for a total of about 45 minutes with RED team coming out on top each time. After completing this round we once again headed back to “heaven” to regroup and enjoy a short break. At this point several members of the group decided to retire and relax or head home while the remaining 30 or so of us die hards decided to tackle one final course known as 15&22.
ROUND 3
At approximately 4:45pm those who remained headed out for our final mission. It was the type of course and format as described in round 1 above with one major difference. Instead of having to leave the course and return to “heaven” to ring the bell before being permitted back into the game you simply had to go back to your base camp after being hit and you were consider alive again. This obviously changed the game drastically as teams became bunched up around their home base after being hit. Paintballs were flying like crazy and for many (including myself) who had previously had managed to escape severe punishment in earlier rounds were mercilessly tortured this time as everyone unloaded on anyone and everyone they could find. The round finally came to a close when paintball supplies ran dry allowing the RED team once again to capture the flag!
Around 6:00pm it was time for those who remained to head home. The only obstacle for one car pool driver was finding some gas. Did I mention I neglected to fill up this morning? Fortunately Capture the Flag had a few jerry cans kicking around with a just enough gas in one of them to get me and my passengers’ home safely. My guess is Sheena, Michelle and Jean-Sebastien will be choosing an alternate car pool driver next time. (I still say it added more adventure to the day though)
Anyway most of us that stayed until the end stopped in Cochrane for dinner at “Ducks on a Roof” where we enjoyed some refreshing drinks and a well deserved meal. Several individuals even found time for a few games of pool while waiting for their meal. Afterwards we made a pit stop at Cochrane’s famous ice cream parlour MacKAY’S for dessert. Ever have ice cream with Michelle? If you haven’t, I suggest you keep it that way or you will likely end up watching her eat yours! haha
As usual a good event made great by fantastic people like you! Thanks for a super day everyone and please don’t forget to enjoy the attached photos.
Duane