The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
While most people enjoy peace and quiet on Sundays, members of the Juno Beach Paintball Club are stepping into the danger zone out past White Lake. "It's just fantastic. It's a real life video game," says Robbie Poirier, one of those paintball enthusiasts. "I'm not a (video) gamer, but paintball really is just like a real life video game. I'm a war buff, so this is the closest I'll ever get to it," says the "paintball crazy" owner of Candy Bar. The Juno Beach Paintball Club plays host to participants of all ages. "Our youngest we have there now is nine years old, and then there is myself, at 44," he says. He says anyone is able to play the course, but there are a few core guys. "Some guys bring their girlfriends or wives, but they don't generally come back. It's a painful sport," says Poirier. "Getting hit, well, it stings pretty good," he notes. And when it comes to the body parts, "nothing is off limits. If you get hit in the head you are out of the game, the same as the centre of the chest. If you get hit twice in the arm or leg, you are out also," he says. "But we're not stupid. We wear plenty of protection. You have to wear a jock. Well, I mean if you didn't, you are crazy," he points out. "A lot of the younger kids will wear thick sweaters, some even wear hockey gear," he says, "and there are special paintball chest protectors people can wear also." Poirier says the older guys playing tend to wear commando vests, which feature pod packs. "If you get hit when you are wearing one of those, you barely feel it," he notes. Poirier says the course is open to anyone, but they must first notify the Juno Beach Paintball Club. As far as the game goes, Poirier says "we've been out there for 11 weeks now, 11 Sundays, and we're averaging 31 people per visit. So we're doing really well." The paintballers play a variety of different games. "For the most part we split up into two teams and play a mixture of capture the flag and pull the canon," he says. "You have to get to the other team's flag station and pull the lever to drop the barrel and bring the flag back to your own station, and then an air horn is blown," explains Poirier. "All the while getting shot at with paintballs." Poirier says "people are always amazed when they come through the course." "There were people from Edmonton who said they had never seen anything like it before," he says. "We've got a C-47 airplane people can hide in or behind, and we've got a tank, and a V-2 rocket, which stands for Vengeance." Poirier explains the course and the name of the club all reflect the military in a way. "Juno Beach was where the Canadian base was on D-Day," he says. And he adds, "Having the names like this brings a more realistic sense to it all." As far as the club itself goes, Poirier says donations are always welcome, but it doesn't cost anything to play. Through a generous donation last year the club was able to spend $4,000 on the course. "It's amazing now!"says Poirier. For more information or to set up a time to play, contact Dennis Bouteiller at 687-8555, Damien Dominey at 687-7350 or Robbie Poirier at 687-3167 or 687-2972.
