Contributer: Robert Abitia of KeepItSquare.com

Disclaimer:  Bringing a date to enjoy a day of paintball takes either a large amount of confidence in your ability to apologize to your date or a similarly sized amount of idiocy. First of all, no paintball field in Southern California (that isn’t a private field) has a clean bathroom facility. Secondly, your date will get dirt under her fingernails, bruised, pelted with welt-causing projectiles, poison oak, sprained ankles, snake bites, etc. Aside from the physical trials she will have to endure, there are the psychological harassments. Paintball is a predominately male played sport. Men will stare. The reason, for the most part, isn’t to be rude or sexual in anyway. Really, its because they know you are about to get pelted. Its sorta like being in an all-male prison. Everyone is out to get you. While there are girls (as well as nationally recognized female teams) out there, you won’t find many on the recreational field. If you do happen to find another girl out there, she was probably brought along by her boyfriend as well. In the words of a comrade, “This is not a girl’s DREAM DATE.”

That being said, if you are brave enough to use this idea as a date idea in Southern California, you and your date might find love while climbing trees and rolling around in dirt. The top three recreational parks in Southern California are: SC Village, Tombstone, and Jungle Island. The first two are located in Corona (Chino, specifically) while the last is out towards Lake Elsinore.

Images: SC Village

For this article’s sake, we’ll use SC Village as our example.

Date Plan:

Before heading down to the field, make sure to visit a local paintball store to buy paint. For a full day of rec-ball, I suggest buying about a case to a case and a half for the both of you. Also, I’d invest in a few extra pods (paint carrying tubes) that you can stuff in some sort of pack…or if you can, in to your pockets. If neither of you have gun problems from the rentals they provide, you might need more paint. It all depends how trigger happy you are. To be safe, I’d suggest getting two cases. Realistically, you probably won’t finish both cases. Also, the game is messy. Go to the cheap-clothes store and buy big sweaters, cheap jeans, etc.

Upon arrival, there will be an exceptionally pungent aroma in the air. This thick and murky smell comes from the various cow farms that neighbor the field. Don’t worry, you get used to the SC Village air after 20-minutes or so of getting acclimated. Make sure to get there early as you will both have to sign consent forms and get your rentals. Entry, rental gear, and refills for air will all cost you money. Keep this in mind. Also keep in mind that most players on the recreational side of paintball are beginners. Don’t feel intimidated, but feel free to ask questions. Everyone out there is friendly.

Taken from the SC Village website:
Full day: $25 (7:30am – 4:00pm)
Half day: $20 (12:00pm – 4:00pm)
Rentals: Package A includes All Day Entry, Gun Rental, Mask, 200 rounds for $55
Rentals: Package B includes All Day Entry, Gun Rental, Mask, 400 rounds for $65

Get all of your gear, get signed in, and then get all the gear on your body before the rounds start. Listen to the guy brief everyone on safety before the day starts. Listen closely. When they call your group out to the field, start walking towards the field and grouping up or you will miss your games. Each group should have at least 2 referees to situate the games and to get you guys started.

SC Village offers a spectrum of scenarios to play on. Each field is themed after a historically war-battled location. Such locations are: North Vietnam, South Vietnam, Bosnia, Kosovo, Baghdad, Kuwait, Somalia, Iraq, Beirut, Germany, etc. Over all, there are about 20-different fields, however, you most likely won’t cover all fields. All of these themes have certain props to commemorate the era and to really put you in the scene. The fields offer props from small huts to stripped down helicopters and tanks. If not for the game, appreciate all of the work that has been put in to provide the community with such an intricate recreational activity.

From here, just have a blast. Make sure to keep hydrated and eat food. They do have a hot dog stand out there on most days, but packing a hefty lunch will be a good idea. You will be able to have easy access to your vehicle between rounds and during the lunch breaks. Keep safe and remember to always keep your goggles on when on the field.

On a final note, you want to avoid fields and players that look like this:

This is tournament style “speedball.” That is me standing.