There are a couple of corporate types I would love to slap in the thigh with a paintball.
If The Herald ever organizes a “team building” exercise at Skinny Joe’s Paintball Field in Arlington, I’m there, in my finest camouflage.
I hope my team gets plenty of ammo.
Companies of all sizes out the wooded facility to develop strategies for success, bond and shoot each other in good fun. Joe Public can visit to play games while maneuvering from plywood bunkers to behind big trees, aiming at the enemy.
What a hoot.
Skinny Joe from Bothell is a firefighter, 52, who is actually Joey Means. He owns the field with one of his five children, R.D., 25, who is a real estate consultant in Marysville by day.
In June 2000, they opened a paintball place on 14 acres in Tulalip, at the behest of the younger Means.
His son, then a senior at Snohomish County Christian School in Mountlake Terrace, saw potential in paintball.
“I liked the intensity,” R.D. Means said. “It’s not the norm. It’s a positive time for friends.”
His father encouraged the spirit in his son, who prepared the business plan.
“Most successful entrepreneurs have one or two failed businesses,” Joey Means said. “It did fabulously well.”
But after two years, they ran into zoning problems and closed. Their enthusiasm continued, as they knew paintball was a viable venture.
It took them two years to find the perfect replacement property.
The father and son opened in September at 17022 Burn Road in Arlington. They own 32 acres, so there are many types of courses on the property.
They’ve got a big event coming up at 9 a.m. on May 12. Paintball War on Burns is a fundraiser to benefits the Washington State Council of Firefighters Burn Foundation.
Sponsors include Everett Firefighters Local 46 and the Everett Firefighters Association.
Participants will shoot one another with paintballs, which are marble-round, thin-skinned gelatin capsules, like bath oil beads, with colored, biodegradable liquid inside. It rinses out of clothing and off skin with soap and water.
When a player hits another player, the gelatin skin splits open, and the liquid inside leaves a bright mark.
A marked player is out of the game.
Paintguns, also called “markers,” are powered by carbon dioxide, nitrogen or compressed air. Many have power systems that use large refillable tanks that fuel hundreds of shots before they run out.
Wheeeee.
Most of the participants rent equipment at the site. Skinny Joe’s caters to new players.
The basic games are of the capture-the-flag type. Your team tries to scramble to a flag first. R.D. Means prides himself on being patient and caring with children who are new to the action.
His father said mothers compliment his son on his professionalism and kindness to newcomers.
There is no alcohol allowed at the park, but it’s still a good place for a rousing bachelor party. Who among us hasn’t, at least once, taken aim at someone with a rubber band, spitwad, snowball or a rolled sock? We get a charge out of propelling things at moving targets.
Plan a birthday party at Skinny Joe’s Paintball Park.
Shoot grandma. She’ll be tickled pink.
Columnist Kristi O’Harran: 425-339-3451 or oharran@heraldnet.com. Paintball fundraiser
Paintball War on Burns, a fundraiser that benefits the Washington State Council of Firefighters Burn Foundation, is planned for 9 a.m. May 12 at Skinny Joe’s Paintball Field, 17022 Burn Road, Arlington.
Play paintball and hang out with firefighters from the Puget Sound region. For more information, call 425-402-6042 or visit www.paintballwashington.com.
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