There is something satisfying about a good resounding splat, especially if it comes when a splodge of paint hits your opponent from a round you fired. Paintballing is a cross between mud wrestling and war games – so if you don’t like getting messy it’s certainly not for you.

A typical paintball arena is outdoors, usually in woodland. Two teams play against each other and try to knock out their opponents by shooting them with a paintball. This is made from a non-toxic substance and is perfectly safe provided you wear the protective clothing provided.

Some variations give teams tasks to fulfil, such as retrieving objects hidden in the grounds. Other games include roleplaying scenarios. For example, you might be given a mission to rescue a pilot who has been shot down behind enemy lines.

Most arenas allow children over the age of 12 and many will organise food and gift bags for special events such as birthdays. With warning some will arrange tailored games with extra excitement for the person whose special day it is. Most arenas charge either by time or by the number of paintballs wanted.

The paintballs, which can travel at up to 300 feet per second, can be painful. Exhausted players are likely to come home with the odd bruise, but generally feel triumphant about how many people they hit when they weren’t cowering under a large bush.

For a directory of paintballing sites across the UK, see www.paintballguide.co.uk.

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