Other hobbies overtaking paintball

[iamthelazerviking]

I never thought I'd see the day, but paintball has become too much to keep up with. The nearest field is 1 hour 15 minute drive one way. If I didn't 2 kids with another on the way, this wouldn't be a big deal. But the amount of time, money, effort it takes for casual walkon isn't worth it anymore. Being gone 6-8 hours on a Sunday is rough. I'm hoping a field opens closer, which I've heard rumor might be happening. But who knows.

I rediscovered a love for fishing which has started to overtake as my "main hobby" now. Specifically ultralight fishing. I haven't gotten out a ton yet, but slowly getting better and learning a lot. There's plenty of places to go less than an hour away, it's cheaper (but with any hobby, can get expensive for the high end gear) and I can even get my oldest (almost 5) involved.

And just like paintball, getting into the gear is a lot of fun. Choosing the reel, rod, type of line, type of lures etc. I'm already onto 2 different rod setups 🤣

[nak81783]

I understand. Mountain biking is my alternate. Can be as equipment-intense (and costly) as you want it to be. Still gives me a workout.

I can usually get to one of six local trails I like to ride, ride for an hour or so, and drive back home all within 2.5-3 hours. I can typically accomplish this before the rest of the family wakes up or finishes breakfast and the rest of the morning routine.

It can be done solo or with a group. Given the shorter time commit, sometimes I can get two or more rides in per week.

[Daltech]

I’ve hear hiring a fishing guide is priceless. After my buddy went with a guide he actually caught fish regularly enough to eat them and enjoy it. He was fly fishing.

[Jimmydee]

I’m in this exact boat right now I transitioning out of Paintball to other hobbies that are easier and more enjoyable these days. The nearest field for me is three hours one way I have three kids who I do bring out for the day as well, but I’m also not getting any younger and it’s taking a lot to recover Physically even though I do stretches and do all that aftercare now I’m just getting into mechanics. It’s getting too expensive to take vehicles into the mechanic shop. I have to learn how to do it myself save money. I’m using talk to text FYI, people

[iamthelazerviking]

3 hours is wild. Good on you though, I do what I can for my vehicle myself but thankfully I have a trustworthy mechanic who is very fair with his pricing. Saves me from buying a bunch of tools, and less cussing/bleeding/sweating

[markdem]

It happens, man. Thats life. We adapt. none of us will be playing for ever, but we can keep the memories

[NONOBLITUS]

Ha ,yup I’m with Dave.

[markdem]

capitalpaintball so i had this idea a few months ago. Would be cool if there was a dedicated paintball graveyard. When you die, you can have your tombstone placed somewhere in the yard and it would be a way to keep the dead guys involved in the sport

"I see a guy behind the splattttttt bunker!"

[Melrosejedi]

Im playing in the after life

[Drcemento]

Things have a way of coming back around -I took a long break from playing while the kiddo's were growing up - Bacci's game was the one game I did my best to never miss, and it scratched the itch nicely. Those kids get older though, and now i have two boys that love to play and its been a really good way to stay connected with them. Model building was and is always my more accessible hobby. my hands don't like to be idle.

[Pumps4ever]

Surfing will always be my main past time...

I would like to get a fishing pole to have in the van but I do not see myself ever having enough time to fish.

Coming back to PB after a 30 year hiatus. Paintball has become a place for me to go hang with my old friends, smoke some weed, grill some food, talk lots of shit and get a few kills... Oh yeah and love to obsesse about paintball guns...

[gabe]

I typically get 2-3 years out of a hobby before switching it up or getting dragged off to something shinier by my ADHD. Paintball, real steel, mountain bikes, cars, motorcycles....everything gets its share of time. Hoping to return to paintball in a bigger way next year.

[cheapguitarscheapthrills]

I feel you with all that. I have a 6 month year old daughter and I've had to cancel just about every paintball related plans this summer. Still make it out when I can but it's nowhere near the frequency I would like.

I still am a semi avid gamer because of the ease and ability to pickup and put down around her nap times. It's gotten me involved with more single player games again which is good because Call of duty is super dead to me. Other than that trying get back into guitar and skateboarding God willing.

[JonM]

I think we've all been there. At one point, by gear sat in an attic for nearly a decade when my kids were younger. Now that they're adults, I find myself playing more than ever on top of fishing and other hobbies.

[vijil]

For me it's disc golf...

-active enough
-very cheap
-technically challenging
-can do solo
-still has a huge gear ecosystem

And has a much better filmed and much more professional pro scene than paintball. (Some players doing 7 figure contracts per year). It's just a better organized sport all round.


Otherwise I used to work as an illustrator, and I design the odd wargame or board game.

[Hobbes]

I'm in the exact same boat except no 3rd kid on the way. The desire to play is there but it's too much of a time sink, so I have to be very selective about when I go to the field. My son does travel soccer and I don't want to miss his games and that also takes up a lot of time.

I play a lot of hockey these days. It's 5 minutes to the rink and I can be back home in a couple hours. Messing around with bikes provides another good hobby and another good form of exercise to fill the gaps.

[Chappy]

Do what brings you joy without stress. Music and paintball have been my number ones for a long time and they bounce. Too many shows for not enough money and no time to rehearse makes giging stressful. But then too many far drives with crappy paint and attitudes makes paintball stressful. Although I have a gig 5 minutes away that actually pats tomorrow night and I’m playing ball in the backyard with my kiddo and some friends on Sunday so I’ve achieved some balance lol. Only took me to 50…

[Pumps4ever]

nice dood. back yard paintballin sounds fun. once paint gets back to the rightsize I could see having PGP or OG splatmaster battles in the backyard for sure

[cheapguitarscheapthrills]

I grabbed a slingshot for backyard paintball plinking it's hard but very fun and addicting. Thinking of breaking it out at the field if they'll let me

[Chappy]

To be fair, my “backyard” is 18 acres and the current playfield is about 3 wooded acres.

[Blackmagic71]

Right now I divide my spare time between paintball, biking, skiing, and back country camping trips.

The variety helps to keep things interesting.

[Jonnydread]

Paintball ain’t going anywhere man, we’ll be waiting for ya