IRENE!!! I say again IRENE!!!

Well another year, and another epic scenario day. Thanks to all our sponsors yet again - It's your help that makes this all come together. I hope that you all enjoyed yourselves and that you found value in our event. There is nothing worse than spending money and feeling like it wasn't worth it. That being said none of this would have worked out if it wasn't for our amazing customers! You guys lived the event - roll played and became the characters in the movie! It was all of you that made the day truly special. Thank-you.

So in keeping with Valley Combat's ideals - we want to make it better next time. We want you to wait impatiently for our next big scenario, nervously waiting, signing up for the "special squad" not knowing if you've made the best or worst decision in your paintball playing career.  We want you all to be like "OMG i can't believe it, this was the coolest most awesome day of paintball ever!!!!" each and every time we put on an event. SO this is your time to shine, this is what we need from you to make it happen;

Tell us what you thought... Give us the goods - in writing. You can post on this blog (Negative comments will be taken into account - but we won't leave a hateful post on the blog - so be honest but kind). Or shoot us an email, valleycombat@shawbiz.ca. All comments good or bad (within moderation) will be re-posted to our blog anyway, so save us some time and comment here if you can.

Secondly, for those of you who have never been - listen up. This weekend gone past we set some firsts in Canadian paintball history (or at least the first we've heard of it - so we'll take the bragging rights until someone corrects us).  We delivered players to the field in a helicopter! We delivered more players to the field in  a Hummer troop transport. We had "press" on the field filming! (ok, im sure others have too, but hey - we're bragging here -ok?) Also we were paid one of the best compliments i've ever received doing this sort of thing, and i quote " You guys really do a great job here. Other fields have scenario's - but they are more just like "themes", you guys really go the distance, the players actually follow a story and become part of the movie. It's amazing - really well done!". Hear that? We don't just call it a scenario and have everyone play paintball - we tell a story and have you act out the events. It's NOT the same as other fields - big or small. It's something all together different. Ask those who post here, ask those who have played - i bet they say it's amazing compared to any other scenario they've been to... You should try it once and add yourself to the ever growing list of players. Be one of the elite! Where are my line backers at?!!

Ok, all horn tooting aside as i've stated earlier. None of what we do works without you - the player. So make us better so you can become better. Make us more so we can be more for you!

What's next?

What do you want to see? Favorite movie? Theme? What would be the next paintball scenario you'd like to see us do? Running man? Logans Run? Wolverines? Gangs of New York? Saving Private Ryan? Black Hawk Down III? Anyone? Bueller?

Tell us what would be cool - what you want to see, and if we have a consensus - we'll make it happen!



Finally, a few last words...

Think you've got a good bunch of guys you play paintball with? Think you might have a team of 5 that could kick my team of 5's ass? Prove it - put up or shut up. Our 5 man domination tournament is October 19th, and like everything we do - it's awesome. Think Call of Duty domination - but with paintball. Last year was a huge amount of fun and this year can be better - if you think you've got what it takes. I don't want to say my team is better than your team - but it is - unless you can prove different! :)

C

I have a good camera...

This is NOT my own, i heard this yesterday and needed to share it...

I own a good camera, so I'm a photographer... I have a great calculator, pen, paper and math skills, so I'm an accountant... I read a book on law, so i must be a lawyer... I have a hammer, pencil, tape measure and level, I'm  a carpenter. It isn't the tool that makes the photographer, plumber, lawyer, accountant or carpenter. It's the skills learned, honed and perfected by the person that can use those tools, that make the desired effect become reality. I could never use my tools and make a set of kitchen cabinets - not ones you'd like in your house anyway, but with time, practice, instruction and patience one day i might be able to. You might be able to do your own taxes, but could you do them if things went wrong? Everyone does just fine when what they plan on doing happens, but the real measure of skill and aptitude comes from being able to deal with a problem.


Whats my point? Every week we see best men who are trying to organize a stag party, or company's trying to put on a year end summer BBQ, or sports teams and social groups and they call us and tell us what they want and how they want it. And inevitably more than half of them don't go off as desired. People don't show up, the day ends way too soon, or gos way to long. Groups lose their deposit, or the event gets cancelled, all because the "customer" knew best... We do this EVERY DAY. Through time, experience, education and trials, we have learned how to make a paintball event go off as desired, every time. So next time let the professionals help you make your paintball event go exactly as you want it to go. Throwing a stag party? Want some great photo's to remember the event? Maybe a beer garden? Maybe food? Maybe a safe ride home, etc? Tell us what you want, how you want it, and leave the work to us... Staff BBQ and paintball day? Have us organize the event, arrange for catering games, contests etc. Give us all your details, tell us EXACTLY how you'd love to see it go, and let us make it a reality for you. It's that easy.

So;

• If you love your staff and want to give them a summer end BBQ to remember, call us.
• If you have a stag party and you want it to be the best thing ever - CALL US.
• Want the absolute best family reunion ever known - you know what to do... CALL US

We can make ANY event you want be the most exciting, adrenaline filled day EVERYONE will remember.

Just call us.

C

Guns and Ammo!

Alright!!! It's been awhile, but better late then never. Well it has taken more than 18 months and left us near 2 years behind our initial business plan - but we've done it!!! Valley Combat is now a ammunition and firearms retailer!! Thats right folks, we now carry guns and ammo! Trying to keep us consistent with our current customer base we are carrying more of the tactical and tacti-cool designs of firearms, both restricted and non restricted, but will order ANYTHING you want - if it's available we will get it for you. AND since we have the ability to order what you might need, perhaps you can tell us what you'd like us to have? Is there a type of ammo that you'd like? Maybe tactical gear or gun bags, or drop pouches? Whatever you're needs, let us know and we'd love to hook you up!

Cheers!

Shopping in the 21st Century

Well, it really is that time - Spring is sprung-ing, the sun and rain are fighting it out, and it's even brighter later at night. Time to dust of your gear, give everything the once over and get ready for a rocking good season of paintball. So what if you need something? Well 10 years ago you'd go to your local paintball store and buy it. Maybe drive to the city to pick up what it is you couldn't get locally. Not anymore... Now you just go to your Google machine, click in what you're looking for and Blam! There it is, priced, ready to ship, in your hands in no time. Isn't the convenience of science AWESOME! And i immediately know what you're thinking, "Why would a retail paintball store tell you it's ok to shop online"? Am i crazy? Why would i even write a blog post about online shopping? Isn't this counter productive to my own business survival? The honest truth to all those questions is yes - and no. While it is true that online shopping does not support your local business, or small business owners, it still stimulates the economy, and promotes a  more competitive marketplace. Which, at first thought might be an issue for the small time, local business owner. But I can tell you first hand, we at Valley Combat are proud to compete with the online sellers, and here's why.

There are several types of customers out there - ranging from the the ones we want, all the way down to the ones we don't - and believe me there are some customers money, that regardless of what they are willing to pay, we would rather not do business with. Today I'm going to discuss the "average everyday normal guy". Here's a guy that works hard, makes ok money, and has a once or twice a month hobby - paintball. Now he's not made of cash, and the price tag matters to him. He has to stretch his dollar - and this is where online shopping was born. How great is it that in 1/2 an hour you can price shop ALL competitors and get the best price guaranteed? So this guy makes his purchase, pay's the least for his product, and pulls out that credit card and lets fly the buying. Now, he didn't support local business, he didn't support a family. He supported a huge manufacturer probably overseas. His money didn't even stay in his own country - ALL BAD right? Well I'll be the first to say it - when cash it tight you do what you have to - we can't all be local business economy saving hero's all the time. The question I'm going to ask is this; did he get the best deal?

Price is, and has always been, only one part of any purchase. What about his costs of freight? Oh right, it's free if you spend "x" amount right? OK awesome - free shipping - for now. What happens if he gets his new "whatever" and its damaged, missing pieces or its incomplete? Well he has to send it back  - that's not free, and he's still without whatever he ordered - for even longer! SO, lets say he ordered his stuff, got it, and it was perfect... What happens if it breaks down or becomes defective? Months later he's still paying return freight etc. Then there is customer service! If he has any issues, problems, questions etc, what does he do? It's not like he's entering into an online chat with the seller for free advice. Accountability is the number 1 biggest item you do not get when you order online. Who do you go to for help for install, trouble shooting, warranty, or exchanges etc? It's all done via robot and post office or Currier experience.

My point here is buying online has some advantages, and some big disadvantages if it's done wrong. The entire purpose of ordering online is to avoid going anywhere, and to pay the least. But if you do it wrong, you end up having to go to the post office or to the USA border and mail forwarding place not once, but twice, or more times. And if you're paying for return freight, brokerage or duty and taxes at the border - then the costs start to climb. What is your time worth? Gas? Im sure now you're getting my point. Don't ever forget that buying local means dealing local - which will not only save you in the long run, but it also builds history with the business owner - which means increased customer service and a better shopping experience.

And if you do buy online, I will share one more pearl of wisdom; buy from an online seller that has a retail store location - reasonably close. You still get the advantages of online shopping, and shipping right to your door, with some form of accountability. You at least can make the trip to their actual location for issues and warranty.

Well, can't wait for the full swing of the paintball season to start, until then - happy shopping!

Cory

Surviving Dec 21

Well who knows right? I mean everyone is going on about how the world is condemned to some ridiculous end come December 21st. Assuming the panic mongers are right, and that all things are done as we know it - i suggest partying like its 1999,and come Dec 20 see where the chips fall in the morning! But Chance favours the prepared mind, so how do we prepare?

Every other website and reality TV show is telling you how to do it, things to get, things to hoard, places to go, etc. But honestly, common sense is your best weapon. Be realistic and forget about Hollywood for a while. For you veterans out there, you can fall back on the 4 survival necessities - food, shelter, water, fire. Based on your location, some will be easier than others. Living in a rain forest like we do, water isn't really an issue. food and shelter should be fairly easy if the world doesn't actually explode and fire is as easy as matches and lighters meets "everything flammable". Lets face it - surviving in an urban area is easy - unless the area is way to dangerous to live in!

So, to add to the craziness lets choose a "preferred method" of Armageddon! I choose zombie apocalypse! I love The Walking Dead TV show and Zombie Land! And for all you neigh-sayers, i will have you know that the US government "Emergency Readiness"website lists survival tips for the Zombie option, so hey - you never know ;)

Now  i would be lying if i didn't say that working at Valley Combat hasn't lead to many "what if" scenario's, and believe me - we have a Zombie plan!

First things first - GET OUT OF THE CITY! That's right folks, when your neighbors are turning into blood thirsty brain eating monsters, the best place to be is away from the crowds. Head to the hills! Get out of town, into the woods - every zombie show I've ever seen (short of Resident Evil), I've never seen zombie animals. So if you're living in the woods, you might want some camping supplies - tent, sleeping bag, fire starting kit, etc etc. And of course food - army rations keep forever, and will feed you for months while taking up next to no storage space. Again we live in a rain forest so water really isn't an issue, but maybe water purification tablets would help - and a couple of bottles to do the "sterilizing" in. So, there you are - camping happily in the woods, eating army rations, drinking purified water, sleeping in a tent, by your camp fire - all is right in the world. But eventually you will have to go to town, get supplies, medicine maybe? What about poachers or big angry wild life? Then what.

OWN A GUN! Again i know what you're going to say. But let me offer this: Better to have it and not need it, then need it and not have it. It's all fine and dandy, go ahead club zombies with your 3 wood, or machete or whatever it is you decide to use, but be realistic; Others will be armed, and they WILL take what they want if they are armed and you are not. Not to mention a gun is a great way to get "other food" when your rations run out. That being said - don't go and buy the coolest most powerful thing you can buy. Buy practical. Buy something with ammunition being readily available - from almost anywhere. *8 gauge shot guns are cool - but 12 gauge ammo is everywhere - you get the idea. And for the record - a 22cal round has no problem killing most animals and zombies alike - as well as the occasional poacher. So be reasonable with your purchase.

OK so you're a camping , well armed survivor. Now what... Well if Sun Tzu showed us anything - its strength in numbers - heck the zombies seem to even know that! So if your running to the hills, bring friends. Vcat staff have a predetermined mustering area, and escape/evade plan. LOL.

Well then. You and your buddy's armed and fed, camping away - disaster avoided! But what if? What if you could leave town? What if you had no choice but to remain in the city? Well then, the plan changes a bit. First things first - arm yourself! You're in a city - food, water, shelter, fire, etc - its easy to come by, you just have to take it - and hold it! This is where you don't mess around. Arm yourself. I personally have a few "must haves". Hand gun, shotgun, long rifle (even a .22 would be fine), and a big knife - and a whacker of sorts. Machete, baseball bat, 3 wood, whatever... My choice is the Cold Steel Indian war club - or gun stock club. Now then, staying at home is just fine - until zombie waves invade, or roaming armed poachers decide to knock. Or until you run out of food, water, gas, etc... So once again i say be preemptive in your decisions... 2 or 3 places you should "take" and hold are as follows - in order of best to worst...

COSTCO - loaded with food, water, clothes, shelter - heck even generators and medical supplies. Completely made of concrete - with only one main door - a few steel exit doors and a rear loading door. One or two people on the roof with long rifles and you can see anyone approaching from the 4 acres of concrete parking lot. Very easy to defend with half a dozen people - and can live there for easily a year or more.

Superstore or Wal-Mart - same kinda game - but a bit more glass walls to barricade up but still loaded with supplies.

Finally - I'd say a government building. They usually are secure, and brick. Be it the police station, fire hall, court house etc. Easy to defend, usually central for "shopping trips", and most employees in city buildings will be the first to run, as they seem to have more freedoms than the average blue collar worker - so the buildings most likely will be abandoned.

There you have it - MY survival plan for the zombie apocalypse! Probably riddled with holes and failures - as I'm sure you have better ideas than me. So feel free - comment away and tell us how you'd survive the impending doom of Dec 21!

C

And Here We Go!

Alright people, its time! (Imagine Bruce Buffers voice when you read that... Good right?)

That's right folks, its time for us to turn our rants, raves, trials, tribulations, and everything else that is on the mind of Valley Combat staff upon the world! Read first hand whats new and exciting, or whats boring and crappy, and everything in between. This blog will keep you up to date with all the happenings of the Valley Combat world. Included is our YouTube video's, as well as links to our website and Facebook page.

Sooo without further ado... (Drum roll please)... ... ...

Greetings and salutations my hordes of adoring fans, and welcome. Today I thought it would be suiting to discuss the off season paintball season. Yes that's correct, you heard right. There is a season of paintball during the "off season". Just because it rains or snows doesn't mean we can't let balls fly! It just means we have to be more intelligent about it, pick our games more carefully, and of course be ready for what the weather will throw at us.

First things first, if you're going to play outdoors in the fall and winter, you're going to need some clothes to keep you warm. I'll skip right over the "mom" portion of this and just say, dress in layers and bring a change of clothes. You DO NOT want to climb into your vehicle after a day in the rain and mud without fresh clothes.

Secondly, choose your game. It might not be the fast and furious games you've grown accustomed to in the 28 degree sunny summertime weather, but it can be just as much fun if you plan it out. I recommend some woods-ball in the winter; Its usually dryer due to tree cover, usually a little less muddy, and you can get some good tactical games in without having to run full tilt through open fields where water can pool up. Nothing worse than full gallop to full swim in 0.3 seconds. It will also allow you the luxury of playing with that bad ass pump gun you've been dying to use, but hate being out gunned with. Nobody goes full auto with a 30 round hopper and lives long enough to be proud about it. This is also a great opportunity to get your old "first gun" out. You know the 98 custom you put on waivers the day you got your new fully electronic, low pressure, high cyclic rate, paint slinging, nightmare causing, multi-coloured, overpriced paintball gun of doom. Ya put that bad boy to rest for awhile and take out the gun that started it all! The simple ones tend to really like the cold wet weather, and if you drop them, its not your next paycheck to undo the damage.

The benefits to tactical games; First it allows you to use tactics and practice your game better, rather than slinging buckets of paint, secondly it allows you to use WAY LESS PAINT than usual, which means you can buy the expensive Powder Balls. Why do you want the powder balls? Well, they're made of a wax shell - so impervious to wet weather, they are filled with powder - impervious to colder temperatures, which pretty much guarantee's a "no issue, no paint breakage in the gun" kinda day. Which in any weather is a great day of paintball.

And at this point i would be amiss by not saying GET A GOOD ANTI-FOG. No matter how warm, dry, and perfect your day outside will be, the cold wet weather will bring the fog of hell to your masks. We are strong advocates of Op-Drops if you're the "plan ahead" kinda player. Otherwise your only other choice is Fog Zero. Apply as needed, when needed, and your good to go for each and every game.

Well folks, that's it for now. Get your gear together, and get  your butt outside, and as always, play safe!

(I wanted to sign out with " And remember shop smart, shop S-Mart, but i didn't think anyone would get it, and we're not S-Mart, so it just didn't fit. But it would have been funny, trust me)      :)


Cory