State of UK paintball

So I can give you my perspective as someone who is still a bit of an outsider/new to the sport, I've only ever played recreationally, probably about once a year for 10 years, haha. Apologies if this has already been raised (i haven't read every post in the thread) but I dont think its kit price or whatever putting people off, people love pouring cash into a hobby, its more the overall image of paintball.

I've played a couple of times recently once was with work which was really good. I was enthusiastically talking about it to some mates, the seemed well up for it and three of us ended up just going last min one Saturday. Thing was we were laughing about it the whole day, NO ONE just goes and plays paintball surely?????? The perception seems to be that while its really good fun it should be reserved for birthdays, team building, stag do's etc. People almost seem embarrassed to just go in a small group to a field an play

I was playing at Campaign Players Club this weekend and throughgout the day there was a constant stream of mini punters coming and going. It was the first time I've played there and I had a great day and looking at their faces I would say they had a great day too. Right from the off the site guys were friendly, easily identified and made sure you knew exactly where to go and where everything was. They had a great safe area/kit prep area with lots of room and enough staff to make you feel your kit was safe when you were off playing.
Well run sites, with good helpful staff, giving you a good days play mixed with a fair price will keep the sport/hobby running. From the mini punters will come the requests to play with the walk on guys, and then if we can show them the next step, then they will become players with their own kit.

I agree with what your saying I just think you missed my point a bit fella, I'm cool with how much it costs. There seems to be a lot of people moaning that paintball is dying etc. I was simply saying that I think for it to attract new players (if that's what paintball needs) it just needs to be considered a normal recreational activity, not something that you do once or twice for a laugh.

paintball is just a fashion show, it does not make a difference if you have a £1000 geo 3 or a £80 ion. both will shoot the maximum BPS limit, and both be capped at 300 fps velocity. spending more money on a marker isnt going to make a player any better, only practise will achieve this. players who are in the limbo of wanting to play tournament paintball but 'not wanting to get "beat down by all the pros with there thousand pound guns that hurt and shoot further than mine" just need educating. THEY ARE ALL THE SAME! all i can say is take your pocket money to the shops and buy yourself a snickers and GET SOME NUTS!

Not sure I fully agree with the fashion show bit. I know what you're saying, people wanna look good with the latest shiny gear but why the hell not if its the hobby you choose to enjoy? For top level players, as good as the budget gear is there aint much chance that the lower end stuff will take the battering that a full season of XBall will dish out. I remember the EXL04 season and I used Lathams EBlade all year, that thing needed overhauling a couple of times through pure abuse, same goes for new kit. I ain't saying you need to buy brand new kit every year but cheap ass stuff or really old gear just can't cut it game after game after game.

A great baller will always be able to destroy with cheaper kit against noobs with top end stuff but for a whole season? I wouldn't risk it.

I think the main reason the UK isnt thriving greatly in the paintball field, is because the businesses are more into the money rather than the fun.
After speaking with Simon Cole (i think he appeard on Paintball Show) he to also said that he believes that the UK are going on the business route and agrees with it.
I on the other hand don't think 100% business is the right way.

I understand venues out there have to provide a place to 'ball and they also have to make money, but i think some factors putting people off are things as such as:
- Paint cost
- Lack of "maps"
- Naff paint
Naff paint is deffinatly an issue for me because when i pay £35 for a box of paint and its dimpled like mad, i get abit miffed because for that much money ide want something better.

The venues themself are spot on, friendly staff and are great crowd of guys to be around.

I don't think its ever going to be solved over night as the UK can't really offer it out like the americans can

I think your missing the point here.
Sites HAVE to make money otherwise you have nowhere to ball!
If the money isn't coming in then they cant spend it on making new or better maps.
As a result of that they simply cannot give you what you want at cost price.

I personally think people need to support there local sites more

Im not missing the point at all, i said "they also have to make money"
I was saying my main issue is deffinatly QUALITY of paint, and if im paying £35 for POOR quality paint, it does miff me.
If the quality of paint was better ide have no issue with £35 a box even £40, just aslong as it was quality paint

I support my local and choose to go there more than other sites
But the last 2 times ive been the quality of paint has been terrible, several boxes bought have had semi-circular balls due to flat spots.
This could be down to how long the boxes have been sat there and would come down to how the site regulate their paint

I have no issues personally with how many maps a site has, i went to WarFighters which is basically a barn but i absolutely loved it
but others may want more variation.

I support all UK venues as where would we be without them?

Mmmm yea to a certain extent but the majority of the time you find paint quality is down to manufacture i.e not a proper ball fill creating an air pocket. If the boxes have been stood around a long time and at the wrong temps that will also make a difference.
For my own curiosity what paint was this?

Exactly! I along with a few others regularly go down to our local site and take charge of tidying up zones and creating new bunkers, and general maintanence because we want to play decent zones. People expect everything done yesterday, urning up and playing is all well and good but if more got physically involved who knows what copuld be done, many hands an all that....

I believe it was DXS Bronze or of bronze nature

^ Agreed.
Theres a few of us who do as above and help out with marshelling.
Im even quite happy to help others playing with gear. I take several spares with me incase anyone needs a hand
i.e - Batteries, o-rings, Jersey's, gloves, anti-fog spray etc just to help out another 'baller so they can take part in the days activities
and its nice to know that when you went to a walkon which other members support, it also gives the venue a a good name

Again thats all well and good, infact quite comendable for lending and helping sort gear on walk-on day. As for marshalling well thats not really the issue there are loads of marshals and they get paid.
I personally work 6 and sometimes 7days a week, but i make time to go down after work to build new stuff and ensure that not only is the site maintained but that it is constantly improving.

Maybe thats just me but i think people are too quick to criticise on cost when they have no idea just how wafer thin the margins between surviving and going bust are.