PaintballX3 Magazine September 2014 | Page 72

72 In its short history there have been hundreds things that have influence technical achievements, to trend-setting ideas, to incredible team winnin game, an inspiring industry and an unpredictable and ever-changing sto this game is what it is today. Enjoy! September, 1983: The First National-Level Paintball Tournament Takes Place except for Canada’s Unknown Rebels. After a series of very small regional paintball tournaments, the first ever of their kind earlier that summer, the stage was set for the first NSG (National Survival Game) National Championships. Seven teams from the U.S. and the previously mentioned Unknown Rebels from London Ontario, Canada gathered in Grantham, New Hampshire to compete for the first national paintball title and the $3000 first place prize. Each team was comprised of 12 players, games were 90 minutes long (no reinsertions) and players were only allowed to carry 40 rounds of paint and three 12-gram C02 cartridges. The field was 30 acres in size and two flags were used. The event was covered by People Magazine, which generated a lot of publicity for the new “tournament” side of the game of paintball. On the field it was the Unknown Rebels beating out Miami’s 12-Man Jury for the first place win and $3000 check. Bob Hefkey, from Stratford, Ontario was the last man standing for the Unknown Rebels and the one who pulled and hung 12-Man Jury’s flag. He emerged from the playing field with one single paintball left. No one thought to call this an “international” paintball tournament. Probably because that may have been a stretch as all of the teams were from the U.S. September 2014 February 2014 Read the original People Magazine article HERE.