People do all sorts of different things to relieve stress. Maybe you like to barricade yourself in your room and listen to mellow music or go for a drive to get away from it all. Some head to the nearest bar for a few drinks. But if you're looking to have a great time and relieve a little stress in the process, then paintball is for you.
With indoor and outdoor locations, Paintball Dave's is the perfect place to squeeze a few off rounds and run around like a madman or woman. When it's cold outside (or if you just prefer to play indoors), stick with Third Ward location, 203 N. Broadway, on the corner of Broadway and E. Chicago St.
Paintball games are exhilarating, exciting and quite a workout. You have to be quick on your feet and constantly alert.
When you arrive at the large warehouse that serves as the indoor battleground, the first thing you'll do is fill out a waiver form. Then, depending on how many players are present, teams are formed. If you want clothes, they provide you with a pair of coveralls and gloves. Otherwise it is recommended that old clothes are worn. Make sure you wear long sleeves, loose fitting pants and a good pair of shoes. No shorts or T-shirts.
Equipment is distributed. Players must wear a rag over their head to keep paint out of their hair, a pair of goggles, a mask covering your mouth and, finally, a protective shield for your face. A yellow or red vest, depending your team, goes over your chest and back.
You'll learn how to load the CO2 cartridges and the ammo for your gun and how to fire the pump-action paint pistol. It's extremely easy to use as long as you follow the directions. Fire off a few practice rounds before you play.
An employee serves as referee, supervising each game from a safe, elevated location. Before you begin he explains the rules and answers questions. Between games he cleans your equipment and gun and also has extra boxes of ammo and cartridges.
The 10-minute games are played on three different floors and you play three or four games on each level, depending on how much time you have. The most common contest is Capture the Flag, in which each team places a flag at their end of the floor and opponents try to get it and bring it back to your end without getting shot.
Each level is different, keeping things fresh and challenging. One is mostly barrels stacked randomly with wooden barriers set up along the walls. Another, with a western theme, is all wooden barriers and rooms, like old ghost-town interiors. The basement is bigger, darker and more maze-like than the other levels. There's a long tunnel along one side with flashing lights that is extremely dark.
It takes about three hours to finish all of the games -- if you do the full set -- so you definitely get your money's worth. And if you've never played before, don't worry. You'll get the hang of it in a hurry. It also helps to play with friends.
General admission open games are played every Wednesday at 7 p.m., Saturday at 4 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. It costs $20 to play and $5 for the gun (guns are free on Sundays). Ammo packs are $10 each and give you 100 balls and the cartridges. You won't need more than two packs for the entire night. Coveralls are $5 and gloves are $2.
Semi auto open games are played Fridays at 7 p.m. and Sundays at 1 p.m. Admission and gun rental are the same (gun is free on Fridays); 500 balls are $18.
Paintball Dave's also hosts private parties. Players get everything they need for three hours of games. For eight to ten people it's $50 each, for 12 to 35 people it's $40 each and for 36 and up it's $30 each. Semi auto private parties are $650 for up to 12 players. Reservations and a $50 deposit are required for private parties.
You have to be at least 16 years old to play (parental permission required if you're younger). A picture ID is required.
For outdoor action and excitement Paintball Dave's has a location near Whitewater called the SPLAT Camp. Open games are played Saturdays at 9:30 a.m. and on the second Sunday of every month at 9:30 a.m., from May-September.
For directions to the SPLAT Camp or for more information, call (414) 271-3004 or (800) 582-9036 or visit www.paintballdaves.com. You can print off directions to the outdoor location and print off a parental permission form for players under age 16. Paintball Dave's also sells paintball gear and equipment.
