When and Where
On the 6th, 7th and 8th of October 2017, South Africa’s largest Bushball event Paintfest at Hobby Park Krugersdorp occurred. We had the privilege of observing, playing and capturing the partying and pew-pew doings of this event.
The event was extremely well attended with more than 180 players on the first day. Also, there was an awesome turnout of vendors at this event.
A heartfelt thank you to Mike Procopiou and family from DNA Paintball for arranging and hosting this well-organized event.
Vendors and thanks for the Paintfest at Hobby Park
We had the following awesome vendors at the Paintfest at Hobby Park Krugersdorp: –
- Ralf Wundram from Magma Paintballs for paint for the players.
- RW Pro Audio (Ralf Wundram) providing the sound stage and music the whole weekend.
- Reginald Houghton and Kerrylea Houghton from SAFCAPS providing paint for the players. Also clothing, paraphernalia, etc. They also provided amazing smoke grenades from Enola Gaye.
- Fuad Yusuf from Blades and Triggers providing paintball paraphernalia and GI Sportz paint.
- Eric from Vapeking West Rand providing Vape gear.
- Christopher Birch from Paintball City providing paintball gear.
- Empire Paintball Support SA.
- Jacques du Plessis and his team of awesome medics.
- Edward Ruthven Photography formerly YTT Photography (That’s us).
- Also thanks to all the food and drinks vendors that provided awesome food, beverages and alcohol. Without them we would not have been able to survive the weekend.
A Special thanks to the girls from Hooters Ruimsig and Hooters Buzz. Hailey Anne Springer and the girls thank you for always being extremely beautiful and thank you for all the great prizes and support.
Last but definitely not least Timothy Lagden and the referee crew that kept things under brilliant control on the field.
I would also like to thank my two assistant photographers for their contribution to the weekend. Thank you to Natali Savva and Mauritius Jacobs.
Start
On Friday afternoon and evening a huge number of players arrived at the Paintfest at Hobby Park Krugersdorp. The players setup their tents and caravans to camp for the weekend. The turn out absolutely dwarfed the previous two Paintfest events. Mike had shifted the camping etc. areas which made it possible for the number of tents and caravans to occupy the area.
Party Time
Then it was time to socialize. The guys and girls chatted until the wee hours, enjoying one another’s company and catching up on many things. Many went to sleep extremely late.
Saturday
Saturday started a little slow with vendors setting up, some small glitches with the compressor, people sorting out their hangovers etc. Once everything was smoothed out we had our usual council of war where the Boss man Mike set the rules of engagement. We then filled up the air bottles, set our markers chrono, pilled ourselves with pods and pods of paint and went to war.
As I had decided to take photos on the Sunday and my team was going to do the photos of the Saturday, I was able play. I mainly played on the ridge getting shot out many times. The ridge was amazing with each side gaining and losing ground all the time.
Eventually the Blue team pushed us the Red team all the way back to our Head Quarters, which prompted a calling of the game. We all came out of the field for a much-needed break. Thereafter another council of war was called where the Head Quarters was swapped.
The game started again but within no time the rain started bucketing down which prompted for a game stop, to prevent injuries etc of any player. There of course were no further games for the day. Even though Blue had pushed the Red back, the Red team still ended 100 points ahead for the day.
Saturday Night
Everyone started settling down for the night. Due to what all will call fatigue issues (we know the real issue), there was no real partying or drinking. Most went to sleep earlier in the evening.
Sunday
In the morning most players started getting ready again, of course some players chickened out in the preceding dark hours. But some fresh players honored us with their presence with the excuse of grinding at the office the day before of course or some other lame excuse.
After all the getting all the T’s crossed and the I’s doted we again had a council of war. We all were well informed to the days preceding’s, including some dire straight warnings. Well done to Mike and Timothy for keeping an iron fist on everything.
Once again, I became a photographer and went out into the field to capture those amazing shots that I have become renowned for. (Tongue in cheek).
My primary starting point of course was the ridge as it has provided me with many an amazing set of photos in the past. And the players did not disappoint me again. It goes with the territory that you will get shot on the ridge even as a photographer, and it happened again. (Roll with it Edward).
Muddy Trail
After the ridge I went to the muddy trail and captured a few photos of the players hiding in the reeds. Here the players were easily able to shoot out towards the ridge but remain hard targets. The only way the ridge can fight this area easily is to lay down rapid fire to keep heads down.
Swamp
Thereafter I moved into the Swamp and captured players shooting from within the Swamp. The Swamp has so many trees, ditches etc. that it makes it easy to hide and avoid being shot out. It helps to prevent players moving on the bushlands and taking the left Head Quarters, which was now the Blue teams HQ.
My next lot of photos captured a few guys in the bushlands, at this time the game was called due to a Head Quarters being surrounded again. The bushland is the last protection for the left Head Quarters. It is full of small bushes and large rocks.
Break
Once again for the weekend a much-needed break was called, allowing players to get fed, and very importantly hydrate themselves. One golden rule to playing long games like this is to keep hydrated. Again, we had a council of war. It was mentioned that you are allowed to fire over the dam from one point of the ridge to another as there was too much belly aching over this issue.
No Man’s Land
I now moved towards No Man’s Land via the swamp following the Hooters girls in their quest to take some G’s. No Man’s Land is always interesting as you can create enough distance between you and your enemy. You can easily tease the other party and easily side step paint that might be flying at you.
From No Man’s land it is easy to progress towards the Dark forest to capture some photos there. The action here was intense with the Red team outnumbering the Blue team in whitewash style. Even though the Blue team was able to hold the Dark Forest for a good period of time. At this stage both teams were more or less head on head on the score board.
Once the Red team took the Dark Forest they pushed hard on Smugglers Camp and almost took the camp. The Game was then called due to Red encompassing the Blue Head Quarters.
Ending
At this time my muscles were too sore to allow me to continue capturing photo’s. After a small intermission the game now started in total earnest for the final push. This is towards the time that a team is allowed to take the other teams Head Quarter flag back to their Head Quarters. The war was intense and finally the Red team did the final domination of the Blue team by capturing their base. Viva Red team.
Final
Finally, all got thanked for being there, the Hooter girls were now given the task of handing out vouchers to whom they saw fit. Vapeking West Rand chose the winning raffle ticket for the R3000 Vapeking starter kit which Sonja won.
As Timothy stated in a Facebook post well done guys, all the work in preparation towards this social was well worth it.
Thanks for all the laughs… AND HITS 😂 😂 😂 TILL NEXT TIME PEW-PEW-PEW
Paintfest at Hobby Park Krugersdorp