Airsoft, Paintball
Airsoft itself involves teams dueling with replicas of weapons that fire plastic pellets. It is often confused with paintball, but the two types of hobby have anything in common only in a very general sense.
Every weekend, enthusiasts grab their weapon replicas and uniforms and travel to designated shooting locations. Each game is organized well in advance through a Facebook page. All information about the organization, meeting place and types of games is provided beforehand. The organizers do everything they can to ensure that every participant knows the rules, meeting place and objectives of the game before shooting begins. This allows players to prepare properly for the tasks that will arise during the game.
Of course, there are sometimes completely informal meetings intended simply to divide into teams and shoot recreationally; even so, these are also described and organized appropriately in advance. Thanks to this, players spend time in a friendly atmosphere with a slight hint of competition, while also being able to forget about the hardships of a week full of duties and work.
The rules of the game are simple: if you are hit by a pellet, you go to a place designated as the respawn point (it works like a respawn point in computer games), after which you return to the game.
Each game has specific objectives for players to complete; scenarios recreating real battles or even transporting participants to completely different eras also frequently appear.
Who can take part? Virtually anyone
For players, it makes no difference whether you are a soldier, the head of a large company or a warehouse worker. During airsoft events, everyone is equal, with all the advantages and disadvantages that entails. No one bows deeply to anyone else or puts themselves above others; mutual respect and good manners prevail. The rules are strictly observed and enforced, since, when all is said and done, this is a form of military culture. Fortunately, there is no need to do push-ups or scrub barracks with a toothbrush; remember that this is still only a hobby and a game.
What most players have in common is a greater or lesser interest in military matters. It also does not matter whether you are 20 or 50; if you feel up to running around a little and shooting, there is no problem. The age restriction applies only to minors. Anyone under 18 must have written consent from a legal guardian to participate in games, while those under 16 must be accompanied by a guardian.
What is needed to play?
The minimum needed to participate in a game is eye protection with appropriate certifications (which is absolutely mandatory, and without it no one will allow us to take part in shooting) as well as a replica and pellets. However, it is not necessary to invest before finding out whether we like it. People who enjoy airsoft are very happy to welcome newcomers and try to help them enter the world of their hobby as easily as possible.
Very often, there is no problem borrowing everything necessary for the first game, from goggles to a replica and pellets. It is also possible to rent all the equipment from a company specializing in this, although the nearest one is in Wrocław. It is worth remembering that there is no need to be afraid to ask questions. Airsoft enthusiasts are happy to help with every aspect of their hobby, whether by showing newcomers what it is about or helping them assemble their own equipment. Everyone is very welcome.
Anyone can join, so how can you find them?
The easiest way is on Facebook: search for and follow the page ASG Bolek – Bolesławiec i okolice; information about meetings appears there, and there are always people able to answer virtually any question related to airsoft.