What is Paintball?
Paintball is a game in which players try to eliminate each other by firing a projectile from a paintball gun, otherwise known as a marker. These projectiles are filled with a colored liquid, hence the name Paintball. If you are struck by a paintball and it breaks on your person, you are eliminated from the game and must return to the staging/neutral area to await the next round.
Players are required to wear face and eye protection in the form of Paintball Goggles. These masks cover your entire face, including eyes, ears, cheeks, mouth etc. They are made up of hard plastic typically and the paintball will break easily on the mask.
Players are typically divided into two teams, and objectives for each round will be explained by the field Marshall (referee). Such games include “Attack and Defend”, “Capture the Flag”, “President”, and so on. Paintball requires that teams work together and communicate to complete the objectives and win the match.
Paintball is also highly physical, with lots of high intensity running, couching and so on. Paintball is perfect for any occasion, including birthday parties, team building events, corporate outings, bachelor parties etc. It can be played indoors and outdoors, any time of year!
Does it hurt?
Ahh the age old question…does paintball hurt? If you asked me this question 10 years ago, the answer would be a resounding YES! But now with so many options, the question is subjective to the player and the game itself. We now offer 3 KINDS OF PAINTBALL! That’s right, we have Original Paintball (Outdoor only), Low Impact Paintball and Splatmaster.
When it comes to good old fashioned paintball, the simple answer is ‘yes’, it stings to get struck by a paintball. I always equate it to a combination of getting a charlie horse, and being whipped by a wet towel. It’s a sharp sensation, and will leave a mark depending where you’ve been hit, but welts are not uncommon after an afternoon of paintball. I will say though, the sensation of getting hit is part of the game and is the driving force behind the enormous adrenaline rush players experience while playing. On a further note, once you’ve been eliminated from the game you’re required to leave the field of play, and most players will agree that by the time you reach the staging/neutral area, the pain is mostly gone (or masked by adrenaline!) and your thoughts are now focused on what you could have done differently to avoid being hit.
Low Impact Paintball
is just like regular paintball, only the guns are smaller and easier to handle. The projectile is also smaller and carries less force, so when it hits you, it hurts WAY LESS THAN PAINTBALL! You heard right. It hurts way less. This is because the ball itself is smaller, and the velocity it travels at is about 2/3 that of regular paintball. So this game is IDEAL for players between the ages of 10 and 14.
Splatmaster
is the lightest version of paintball currently available! Splatmaster guns are spring operated, not air. This ensure that the velocity is only about 1/3 that of regular paintball, and the ball itself is also smaller, like Low Impact. What does that mean for you and your kids? It means PAINTBALL WITHOUT THE PAIN! Splatmaster is the perfect game for young players to come out and have fun, without worrying about getting shot. The ball hardly makes an impact at all in Splatmaster, and your kids minds will be focused on strategy and teamwork, and having TONS OF FUN! Splatmaster is recommended for ages 6-12.
What should I wear?
We recommend you wear old, loose fitting clothing. Long sleeves and pants are recommended as well. Old sneakers and and old, thin pair of gloves can also be useful. The paint washes out of your clothes, but you’re not going to want to wear a brand new pair of jeans or sneakers. Bring garbage bags and a change of clothes as well for after the game! You don’t want a group of kids covered in paint jumping into your nice clean vehicle!
How long do 100 paintballs last?
This is a tough question to answer, since everyone is different. But in our experience, 100 paintballs should last you between 30-45 minutes.
How much extra paint will I need?
We typically see players shoot an average of 200-300 paintballs during a session (indoor or outdoor). Our Standard Package includes 300 balls! It’s a great value and should see you through the session. Extra paintballs may be purchased from the customer service desk at anytime throughout your stay. See our Pricing Page for details on the price of extra paint.
Can I bring my own paint?
Unfortunately no, over the past few years we’ve noticed a heavy increase in low quality paintballs being used. Paintballs found at surplus stores, Walmart, Canadian tire etc are often poor quality and can be dangerous on the field.
In the interest of preserving player safety we have moved away from allowing outside paintballs in, and just allowing our own. This ensures we can control what is being shot on our fields.
BUT do not worry we are still offering equipment owners a very affordable price to play along with a high quality paintball.
Does the paint wash out?
Yes, the paint is water soluble and will not stain your clothes. It is still recommended that you wear old clothing however, especially if playing outdoors. See What should I wear? for information on what is recommended.
Do you have/can I use your Party Room?
Our staging area at the indoor field is HUGE! Lots of room for parties to have cake and pizza, and even do presents and all. Your group is welcome to stay after your session is complete to eat pizza and cake and do presents.
At the outdoor course, there is TONS OF ROOM! Grab a few picnic tables (our staff can help) and set em up for your party when you arrive. We have lots and lots of tables at the outdoor so there’s never a worry that your party won’t have an area to sit and eat once you’re finished playing.
Is there food available?
Flagswipe Indoor
Flagswipe Indoor does not sell any food, other than a drink vending machine. Parties and groups are more than welcome to bring any kind of food and drinks (non-alcoholic) as they like. We have a fridge onsite for cakes and to keep drinks cold while the kids are out on the field! Flagswipe Indoor has a special with Domino’s Pizza, where customers can order pizza to the indoor field for only $12.50 for a large 3-topping (may change without notice), taxes and delivery included. Just let our staff know when you’re ready to order (usually 20 minutes before your party is done playing) and they’ll do the rest for you! You’re welcome to order pizza/food from anywhere else you like too.
Flagswipe Outdoor
Flagswipe Outdoor has a full concession stand that runs throughout the afternoon. Items available include hotdogs, hamburgers, fries, freezies, and so on. Cold drinks are also available. Same as the indoor, parties and groups are welcome to bring their own food and drinks (non-alcoholic) to the outdoor field. The outdoor does not have a fridge to keep food cool during game play, but all you need is a cooler and you’re set! Because of the location of the outdoor course, food cannot be ordered for delivery. The closest town is Dorchester (10 minute drive), where moms and dads can go pick up food, but otherwise delivery is not an option.
What if the weather is bad?
(Outdoor) Flagswipe Outdoor plays rain or shine! The only time we will stop play is if there is torrential downpour or lightning. In the event of heavy rain or lightning, players take shelter in the staging area to wait out the storm.
Other than that we play in all weather conditions, including rain, snow, hot, cold, you name it! If you’re worried about the weather and feel like you might be better indoors, you can reschedule your outdoor game to the indoor with a minimum of 48 hours notice (provided the time is available at the indoor field.)
Of course Flagswipe is always willing to work with your schedule. If for any reason you need to reschedule a booking with us, we’re happy to oblige, even if you just want to postpone a booking and call back later with a new definitive date/time. Always keep in mind that the deposit you give us upon registration is non-refundable, but with a minimum of 48 hours notice, we can postpone/reschedule any game.
What’s the difference between Paintball, Low Impact and Splatmaster?
This is a question we’ve been getting a lot lately. The main difference between the games is how much the paintball hurts when it hits you! Which in turn dictates the appropriate age levels for each type of game.
Splatmaster. Recommended for ages 6-12, this game is super easy going. Lightweight, spring loaded markers (guns) fire small projectiles that hardly make an impact at all. This game is perfect for young players who just want to come have some fun and not worry about getting hit. Ideal for birthday parties and sports team parties.
Low Impact Paintball. This game is a step up from Splatmaster, but a significant step down from regular Paintball. These markers are smaller and lighter than regular paintball markers, making them easier to handle. The projectile is the same used for Splatmaster, and therefore the impact is significantly reduced from regular paintball. Recommended age for Low Impact is 10-14 (min. 10). Perfect for all occasions, including birthday parties, sports team parties, family reunions, corporate team building and bachelor/bachelorette parties.
Regular Paintball (Available Outdoors Only)
High intensity, blood pumping, adrenaline rushing, mind racing paintball. Hurts the next day paintball (and I don’t just mean where you got shot. Wait until you feel your legs the next morning, it’s a workout!) Paintball is perfect for all occasions, including parties of any sort. We see a lot of huge corporate bookings coming to play paintball, typically groups of 30 or more. Minimum age for regular Paintball is 10.
No matter how you choose to play, Flagswipe Paintball is here to provide your group with the best possible experience! The team work and comradely involved in paintball is unmatched in any other recreational sport. You’ll be talking war stories for weeks to come after an afternoon at Flagswipe!
Can I move/switch between the indoor/outdoor field?
We get this a lot, especially when the weather is questionable. The answer is of course YES, with at least 48 hours notice. The Indoor and Outdoor fields are in two different locations, indoor downtown London, and outdoor just east of Dorchester. Therefore there’s no switching on game day, but if you give us 48 hours notice, and providing there’s availability at the field you want to switch to, then we have no problem making that switch for you.
Can I use my own equipment?
Absolutely!
Things to keep in mind however:
1) Our Indoor field now only uses .50 Caliber rental markers, so if you bring your own you will not be able to use it against other rental groups. We have designed and setup specific sessions at our indoor field for equipment owners. These sessions give you a cost savings for owning your own gear and pair you up against other like minded players. Making it a challenging fun new experience every time you come out!
2) Equipment owners may still play at the outdoor field with rental groups. However your gear must be completely mechanical. No electric guns will be permitted on the field against rental players. We believe in making sure everyone has a safe and fun time at Flagswipe. Having an experienced player with a 15+ BPS gun vs a new rental player @ 6BPS doesn’t give a lead to a fun time for everyone.
We’ve also designed and setup specific sessions at out Outdoor field for equipment owners. These sessions give you a cost savings for owning your own gear and pair you up against other like minded players. Making it a challenging fun new experience every time you come out!
3) You are responsible for ensuring your equipment is in good working order. Flagswipe staff is not permitted to tinker with your marker if it fails during game-play.
4) You are also responsible for ensuring the marker is shooting under the specified field limit, which is 280 feet per second. A staff member will observe as you fire off 3 consecutive rounds over the chronograph. ALL 3 must be under the limit. If one of them is over, you must tune your marker to shoot below the field limit and try again.
5) If your marker quits during game play, you have the option to rent a marker from Flagswipe to continue playing (provided one is available). Back to top
Is my deposit refundable?
Unfortunately no, deposits are non-refundable. Bookings can be rescheduled with a minimum of 48 hours notice. Bookings can be postponed indefinitely if necessary, until you are ready to re-book with the original deposit.
If you miss your booking without providing proper notice to Flagswipe Ltd., your deposit will be forfeit.
If you book for a certain number of players and less show up, deposits for any players not present will also be forfeit. These deposits cannot be used towards your final bill.
Flagswipe is flexible. If a problem arises with your booking, please get in touch with the field manager and let them know your situation. We’re happy to work with you in finding the best solution.