The chances are that the answer you have will be different from another person. Well, the truth is that the ages will vary from country to country or even from one state to another.
It’s also not strange to discover that the service providers from the same region will set different age limits. And with the growing popularity of the sport especially among the children, teens and the “Young at Heart,” it’s becoming necessary to have a standardized age.
I mean, you don’t want you, child, to be barred from playing when in a different city or country due to age yet he/she plays the sport in her/his home state or country, do you?
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A Little on Paintballing
When talking about the sport, one thing that comes to mind is your child coming back covered with paint spots all over and of course a wide smile. Using a special type of gun, the players will take shots at their opponents. The goal is to hit the target as often as possible without you being hit. And to help you in the activity, the playground features obstacles and barriers that should help the player take cover.
On hitting the player, the balls will burst open covering the targeted player with paint. And the more hits a person takes, the messier the body armor and mask will be. The paint comes in different colors including yellow, green pink, orange, red, blue and more.
And to keep abreast with safety and environmental protection, the paint, dyes, and materials are normally free of toxins and pollutants. They are also water-soluble for easy washing. If you want to buy the best paintball gun under 200 check out this buying guide.
Who plays the sport?
Paintball is generally played by children and teens. However, it’s common to see the youth and young adults taking part in the sport. They’ll do so to be part of the fun or to promote bonding with their family or friends. The discretion of who can play is also influenced by the service provider. Some will allow adults while others will let a slightly younger player to take part so long as the parent agrees/consents to the idea.
Related article: Pump Paintball Guns vs Regular
Age limits in different Countries
As said earlier, the stipulated age of a person seeking to participate in paintballing varies from state to state, country to country, and also amongst service providers. The following are the age limits in different places:
1- United States
Generally, the minimum age for participants in the United States is 10-14 years. Many people agree that children aged above 12 years have a better understanding. For children above 18 years, the parent or guardian won’t need to sign a consent document.
2- Ireland
The minimum age for a person to participate in paintballing is 14 years. And similar to the US, a parent /guardian doesn’t need to sign a Parental Consent Form for a player above 18 years.
3- United Kingdom (UK)
The age variation is greatly seen in the UK where some locations may allow kids as young as 7 years to play while in others they only accept 12-year olds and above. This has led to the United Kingdom Paint Ball Association (UKPBA) to seek a petition aiming to harmonize the age restriction.
4- Australia
Like the UK, the age limit in Australia is also diverse. For instance, 10 years seems to be the minimum in South Australia, Western Australia is 12 years, Queensland 15 years, ACT 16 years, NSW 16 years whereas Victoria is 18 years.
5- Canada
In Canada, the minimum acceptable age for paintball players are 10 years. However, there is a version of Minimal that allows players aged 8 years. Players below the age of 14 years should be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
NB:
In many areas, the insurance company plays a role in the age stipulation. This is done to minimize any claims or exposure to risk in case of an injury. Moreover, a parent or guardian will be required to sign a letter of consent agreeing to the terms and regulations for the child or teen taking part.
Safety during Play
Similar to other fun activities and games/sports, paintballing has some risks. The player may trip over objects/ obstacles, the shoelaces may open making him/her fall down, the paintballs or paint may get into the eyes, or he/she may be hit by the gun. Such incidences and accidents can be prevented by following these safety tips:
- Learn the game: Before getting into the field of play, it’s critical for the player to know everything about the game and gear — the gun, pinball, taking shots, running through the obstacles and more.
- Be of the right age: It’s necessary to adhere to the age set by the state, county, or service provider. This minimizes the risk of injury, insurance claims, and also controversy or misunderstanding between the provider and consumer.
- Use a credible service provider: Always pick a provider who is licensed, registered, and mandated to offer the service. Also important is ensuring the firm has proper insurance, is reputable, and receives positive compliments and reviews from the public.
- Wear proper gear: Before setting foot on the playground, you need to make certain the player has full protection. This entails wearing the right body armor, gloves, boots/shoes, and mask. It’s vital to ensure the apparel is high quality and certified for the activity.
Conclusion
Paintballing is without-a-doubt among the fun and exciting games around. In fact, its popularity has been on the rise in the last decades. This is owing to the growing awareness, changing legislation, becoming more affordable, and also the push you have children get outdoors instead of lazing on the couch all day.
It’s preferred over other options because its energy-intensive meaning the player will be more active and fit; it improves team play and also helps in social bonding. Like other sports and games, it’s important first to learn the sport.
This entails understanding the basics, the required gear, and relying on professionals. On top of that, the player should uphold safety by wearing the recommended and approved gear. These include goggles, eyeglasses, face mask, body armor, gloves and more. so,
So, What is a good age to play paintball? Well, it depends on the region or country you are in or even the service provider.
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