At Yorkshire Outdoor Activity Park, we hear some brilliant paintball questions. Some are practical, some are curious, and some get asked almost every single day.
Here are the most common paintball frequently asked questions, answered honestly and clearly.
Find out more about paintball at Yorkshire Outdoor Activity Park
Can you go paintballing with just two people?
Yes, absolutely.
While many people play paintball in groups, couples and pairs regularly join our sessions. If there are only two of you, you will be added to a larger group on the day, so you will still get the full experience with plenty of opponents.
Father and son, mother and daughter, couples and friends all play together every week.
Why isn’t paintball more popular?
Paintball is hugely popular, but it is not for everyone.
It involves:
- Running around outdoors
- Getting muddy
- Being hit with paintballs
Some people worry it will hurt, even though it really does not. Others simply prefer less physical activities. That is perfectly fine, which is why we also offer alternatives like axe throwing, archery, laser tag and air rifle shooting.
Can you wear jeans to paintball?
You can wear whatever you are comfortable in.
We provide camouflage coveralls, so the colour of your clothes does not matter. That said:
- Old clothes are best
- Boots are better than fashion footwear
- Comfort matters more than style
Jeans are fine. Stilettos are not recommended.
Does paintball wash out of clothes?
Yes. Paintballs are water soluble and designed to wash out easily.
We always recommend:
- Washing clothes as soon as possible
- Wearing older clothing just in case
Very occasionally, certain paints can stain if left too long, which is why we advise against wearing anything you would be upset to lose.
Can you dodge a paintball?
Sometimes, yes.
Paintballs travel at around 300 feet per second, so dodging them consistently is unlikely. That said, at longer distances or if you spot one early, it is possible to move out of the way.
Smaller and darker coloured paintballs are much harder to see, so dodging is never something to rely on.
How many paintballs do you need?
This depends entirely on how much you shoot.
As a rough guide:
- Around 100 paintballs per game
- About 2 games per hour
On our 90 minute paintball sessions, players are given 300 paintballs, which is enough for most people. On longer sessions, expect to use around 600 paintballs over four hours.
Some players use more, some use less. Trigger discipline helps.
How much is kids paintball?
Kids paintball sessions last 90 minutes, with three games included.
The price is £25.00 per player, which includes:
- All equipment
- All paintballs
- Supervised games with trained marshals
Can I bring my own paintball gun?
Sometimes.
Personal paintball guns are only allowed at walkon events, where everyone uses their own equipment.
For birthdays, stag parties, corporate events and standard bookings, personal guns are not permitted. All our rental equipment is speed tested daily to ensure safety for everyone.
How popular is paintball in the UK?
Very popular.
Paintball is essentially a real life version of video game combat. Teamwork, tactics, adrenaline and laughter all rolled into one outdoor experience. Thousands of people play paintball in the UK every week.
How fast can a paintball gun shoot?
Most standard paintball guns fire around 4 paintballs per second.
In real game conditions, most players use far fewer shots than the maximum rate of fire. A full air tank typically lasts around 1,000 shots, and air refills are provided as needed.
Is paintball safe?
Paintball is very safe when run correctly.
Serious injuries are extremely rare. Most minor injuries come from trips or bumps, not from paintballs themselves. Masks, rules, and trained marshals make the sport safe for all ages that meet the minimum requirements.
Is paintball safer than golf?
Surprisingly, yes.
Statistically:
- Golf sees around 1.8 injuries per 1,000 participants
- Rugby averages 1.5 injuries per 1,000
- Paintball averages around 0.2 injuries per 1,000
That makes paintball significantly safer than many sports people consider low risk.
Final Thoughts
Paintball questions are always welcome, whether you are a first time player or a regular.
If you have not found your answer here, just ask. We would always rather answer a question beforehand than have someone unsure on the day.
Paintball is about fun, teamwork and shared experience. Once you try it, most worries disappear within the first five minutes of the first game.
