VIDEO: Shooting for charity

You walk into a room filled with ‘firearms’, ‘ammunition’, ‘bulletproof vests’ and other battle equipment and for a moment you think you are in the army, about to be deployed to a foreign country for World War III.
But then you realise that although the firearms look very realistic and feel realistic, something is different. These are not real weapons that will be used in a war zone, but rather in a battle zone in a game of Airsoft. Owner, Paul Johnson explained that Airsoft is a relatively unknown game in South Africa, but that there are about 2 000 active players in the country.
Airsoft is ideal for team building as teams of 60 to 80 or smaller teams can take part. Airsoft could be compared to paintball, but there are differences. “The firearms are built to look very realistic,” said Johnson. The game is purely role play. Vests, helmets and even radio control headsets can be purchased to communicate with teammates. Johnson said that the game is like a real life Call of Duty video game.

Airsoft is played on a bigger field then paintball as well as a rough terrain to make it like a real-life battleground. Players also do not shoot paintballs but BB pellets. Johnson said that before each game, a scenario will be worked out. For example, teams may be required to free hostages, build items with equipment that has been air dropped or participate in drug heists.
Johnson added that it is a nice activity for families to do together as children as young as seven are playing. He said that a charity airsoft game will be hosted on 26 November and the only entrance fee is non-perishable food to the value of R100 which will be donated to the charity, Africa Food for Thought. Go online to book your place so that you can be assured of a rifle.
Details: www.airsoft-hq.co.za