PAINTBALL FOR FOUR

Dodge exploding pellets and gun down the enemy in simulated skirmishes. Not only is paintballing great fun, it will test your skills of endurance, quick-thinking, leadership and teamwork. You’ll be running around purpose built imaginative battlefields, capturing the enemy’s HQ, kitted out with semi-automatic paintball guns and all the essential gear. Whichever battle you’re thrown into, you can be sure of an amazing day of paint-filled fun!

PAINTBALLFOR FOUR

For an up-to-date list of locations and experience information please visit:

www.usemygift.com

Your day will begin by getting fully kitted out with full head and body protection and dependent on location, you could even receive a combat suit. After a safety briefing and target practice, let the games begin. You and three friends will enjoy a full day’s paintballing using the latest USA-spec, rapid-fire machine guns with a hip-mounted 400-shot battlepack.

To get you started, each participant will receive 100 paintballs. To ensure your safety and enjoyment you will be given tuition and supervised by friendly and experienced marshals throughout the day. Some locations also provide a snack, but please check on booking. Your day will finish with a debrief and an awards ceremony.

AVAILABILITYThis experience is available throughout the year on selected dates.

DURATIONThe action can last all day. Further paintballs will need to be purchased for a full day’s play.

PARTICIPANTSThere will be up to 350 other people there on the day.

SPECTATORSFamily and friends are welcome to wait in the safety zone while play goes on.

RESTRICTIONS• Minimum age 12, *Belfast and Elsham is 16.

Northwold, Norwich and Thetford is 18.• You’ll need to be reasonably fit as there will be

lots of running around.• Please book at least 2 weeks in advance to

avoid disappointment.

LOCATIONS

• Angus (Edzell)• Avon (Bristol)• Bedfordshire (Luton)• Berkshire (Gerrards Cross,

Maidenhead, Reading)• Cheshire (Holmes Chapel)• County Antrim (Belfast*)• Devon (Plymouth)• Dorset (Bere Regis)• Dunbartonshire

(Cumbernauld)• Essex (Billericay,

Upminster)• Glamorgan (Cardiff)• Greater Manchester

(Manchester)• Gwynedd (Llandeiniolen)• Hampshire (Southampton)• Hertfordshire (Hemel

Hempstead, Kings Langley)

• Kent (Orpington, Tunbridge Wells, Westerham)

• Lanarkshire (Glasgow)• Leicestershire (Kegworth,

Leicester)• Lincolnshire (Elsham*)• Merseyside (Formby,

Liverpool)• Midlothian (Edinburgh,

Winchburgh)• Norfolk (Northwold*,

Norwich*, Thetford*)• Northamptonshire

(Banbury)• Staffordshire (Lichfield)• Surrey (Cobham,

Effingham)• Tyne and Wear

(Newcastle)• West Midlands (Coventry,

Solihull)• West Sussex (Crawley)• Yorkshire (Middlesbrough,

Sheffield, Wakefield)

Please note: Locations are subject to change as a result of quality monitoring or due to factors beyond our control.

A relatively young sport, paintballing made its entrance to the gaming and entertainment world back in 1980s America. The world’s first paintball gun was originally developed by a man named James Hale, who patented a device which would form the basis for the modern game.

Originally designed to shoot paint at trees and livestock, the guns were used by farmers to make it easier to identify their cattle and sheep, as well as marking the boundaries of their land or trees due to be felled. Paintballing might have remained a farmer’s habit for practical purposes were it not for an argument between a couple of friends over which of them would be best prepared for surviving in the wild. Stockbroker Hayes Noel believed that his cutthroat approach to the world of work would afford him a natural advantage, whereas his friend Charles Gaines believed that his career as a bodybuilder and his interest in fly fishing would tip the balance in his favour.

PAINTBALL...a method behind the madness

The argument might have ended at a stand-off had a friend not intervened by showing them an advert in an agricultural magazine for a gun called a Nel-Spot 007, which used gelatine balls to mark cattle and trees. With no further ado, a duel was arranged in order to assess the gun’s suitability and the pair decided to devise a survival game that would give them a definitive answer as to who would cope the best.

Their friend, a sports retailer named Bob Gurnsey, was recruited to help the pair and by the time they began their battle against one another, they had enlisted another nine friends, each armed with a Nel-Spot 007 and a pair of goggles. Four stations were set up in the woods and the first man to collect a flag from each station without being shot would be declared the winner.

In the end, victory was claimed by a friend of the pair, but all was not lost, as they soon realised that they had unwittingly come up with a potentially successful business idea. Gaines, Noel and Gurnsey founded a company called ‘National Survival Game’ which licensed the Nel-Spot 007 for non-agricultural use and made history by bringing paintballing to the wider world. Since then, there have been several innovations to the game which have mostly focussed on the safety of firing paintfilled projectiles at human targets. The designs of the guns were altered to make them more suitable for firing at people, and a whole new branch of insurance had to be developed to accommodate the specialist nature of the game.

Today, paintballing has maintained much of its original appeal; chasing your friends, or even strangers, around in the woods trying to beat your opponents by pitting your wits against them in order to complete a challenge. Whilst the set-ups may have become more and more elaborate, featuring an array of different scenarios all designed to create an atmosphere of competition, the excitement and adventure of a simulated battlefield is one sure to get your pulse racing.

You will soon form alliances, work out your strengths and weaknesses and even embark on some elaborate double, triple and quadruple bluffs in order to trick your opponents into making a mistake. Whether you are a crack shot or better at undercover operations, you will have the chance to use your skills to the benefit of your whole team during the course of the game.

There’s a reason that paintballing has been popular amongst employers who wish to build a better rapport between their employees. If you’ve ever hidden in a bush to provide cover for a colleague or sacrificed yourself to a hail of paint laden missiles, then you will know that friendships formed on the battlefield can last for life.

Although paintballing has become a mainstream sport, you may still surprise yourself with how seriously you take it once you are all kitted up. The worldwide popularity of the game is testament to the universal appeal of the adrenaline rush you get when you are caught up in the contest, and sharing such an exciting time is sure to bring you and your friends closer.

TERMS & CONDITIONS

*Please note promotional products, tangible gifts (excluding books) and choice Vouchers are excluded from the list of exchangeable products.

1. This pack is for a face value voucher that entitles the holder to any experience or other product* supplied by the Activity Superstore, up to the value stated, including the experience(s) listed on the box or in the brochure.

2. By purchasing this voucher you are bound by our full terms and conditions, which can be found at www.usemygift.com

3. The retailer from whom the experience voucher is purchased is acting as agent for and on behalf of The Activity Superstore Limited and your contract is with The Activity Superstore Limited who is the issuer of the experience voucher.

4. The chosen experience must be registered, booked and taken by the stated expiry date.

5. Activity Superstore reserves the right to offer an alternative experience.

6. Standard retailer refund policies apply. Please see terms & conditions for the full refund policy.

VALIDATING AND BOOKINGYOUR EXPERIENCE!

Please visit the website stated on the back of your voucher.

Enter your activation number and then follow the online security steps.

Once you have registered your details successfully with us please write down your unique voucher number in the space provided on the front of your voucher. You will then receive on screen booking information, which will also be sent to your e-mail address.

Then all you need to do is book your experience and prepare to have the time of your life!

Please note: This information is correct as of time of printing. For an up-to-date list of locations and restrictions please visit: www.usemygift.com

If this experience isn’t for you or if you simply want to see what else is available, visit

exchanges.activitysuperstore.com

For security reasons, and so you have the most up-to-date information you will need to register your details and validate your voucher with us, all you need to do is follow the steps below.

50 LAP KARTING SESSION FOR TWO

Whether you are a competitive type or a little more reserved, master the art of karting during this 50 lap session, the perfect driving experience. In fact, many people who think that they fall into the latter category discover their inner speed demon when they get into the driving seat of these incredible little vehicles.

50 LAP KARTING SESSION FOR TWO

For an up-to-date list of locations and experience information please visit:

www.usemygift.com

With 50 laps to refine your technique, you may start off feeling as though you will never put your foot down, but it doesn’t take long to build up a little confidence, get a feel for the track and start to take on the other drivers. You might think that you aren’t particularly competitive, but that could all change when you realise that a little careful positioning could see you taking the inside line on a bend and moving up one position in the race.

Whether you have dreams of owning a supercar one day, or are happy to pootle along in the slow lane, this is a chance to let your inner speed demon loose on the karting track. You never know, it might just ignite the same level of passion in you that has seen some of the world’s most renowned drivers reach the peak of their profession.

AVAILABILITYAvailable on selected Sundays throughout the year.

DURATIONRace finishes when the first person completes 50 laps.

PARTICIPANTSThis experience is for two people but there will be others karting on the day.

RESTRICTIONS

• Minimum age 16.• Minimum height 1.5m (4ft 11”).• Maximum height 2.04m (6ft 8”).• Minimum inside leg measurement 73cm (29”).• Maximum weight 117.48kg (18½ st).

LOCATIONS

• Avon (Bristol)• Bedfordshire (Dunstable)• Berkshire (Reading)• Cheshire (Warrington)• East Sussex (Brighton)• Essex (Basildon, Harlow)• Glamorgan (Cardiff)• Greater Manchester (Manchester)• Hampshire (Eastleigh, Gosport)• Lancashire (Preston)• Leicestershire (Leicester)• London (Charlton, Edmonton, Mitcham)• Merseyside (Liverpool)• Nottinghamshire (Netherfield)• South Yorkshire (Sheffield)• Tyne & Wear (Newcastle)• West Midlands (Birmingham, Coventry)• West Sussex (Crawley)• West Yorkshire (Bradford, Leeds)Please note: Locations are subject to change as a result of quality monitoring or due to factors beyond our control.

The most successful racing driver of all time once said, “I learned everything I know about racing from my karting days.” Another referred to karting as “The purest form of motorsport”. Many of the world’s most famous formula one drivers started their careers in the world of karting, including, Alain Prost, Fernando Alonso, Jenson Button, Sebastian Vettel and Lewis Hamilton to name a few.

Known as karts, go-karts and shifter karts, this is one area of motorsports where everyone can compete, regardless of previous experience. It’s even estimated that over a whopping 35 million of us compete every year. Although karting is widely recognised as something of a training ground for professional racing drivers, there is plenty of room for amateurs to surprise themselves with the sheer speed that these nifty little buggies can achieve.

KARTING...the training ground for racing drivers

For those who want to overtake the competition and take on the challenge of winning the race, the hairpin bends and long straights provide the opportunity to nudge their way into pole position. If you prefer a more relaxed pace then you can sit back at a speed which you’re comfortable with and enjoy the ride.

DID

YOU KNOW?

‘Karts are designed so that

the wheels lift when cornering.’

The world’s first ever kart was created in 1956 in California by Art Ingles, the American motoring enthusiast and the father of modern karting. Due to his work at Kurtis Kraft, renowned in the United States for their midget cars, sprint vehicles and USAC Championship Cars, Ingles had the credentials to make him a natural when it came to designing a truly innovative vehicle. He assembled the vehicle from scrap metal and a surplus two-stroke engine. Ingles is regarded as a key mechanical engineer of his time.

Almost as soon as it was invented, the idea of karting caught on all around the world with a huge following in Europe, which endures to this day. The first manufacturer of karts was the descriptively named Go Kart Manufacturing Company, based in the United States, which opened in 1958. By 1959, they had been joined by McCulloch, who were the first company to put engines in karts, although their first, the MC-10 was an adapted two-stroke engine from a chainsaw.

By the 1960s, adapted motorcycle engines were being used in karts, but it wasn’t long before a number of dedicated kart engine manufacturers began to make engines specifically designed for the sport. This proved to be particularly popular in Italy where the Italian American Motor Engineering company was founded. The design of the kart has evolved over the years to incorporate new, state of the art technology and adapt to the driver’s need for speed. The chassis is made from hollow steel tubing which keeps the structure light to increase speed, and there is no suspension so the chassis itself has to be flexible enough to allow a little give without veering off at corners.

DID

YOU KNOW?

‘Lewis Hamilton and

Jenson Button both started driving

karts at the age of eight.’

1. STAY STRAIGHT - The longer you move forward without altering your path, the more likely you’ll be to reach top speeds. Swerving around other racers will reduce your speed and reduce your lap time!2. KEEP MOMENTUM - Look ahead to anticipate the moves you and your fellow drivers will be making next. Early anticipation is key to avoid unnecessary slowing down and it will keep your speeds and momentum high.3. WATCH YOUR GRIP - Whenever handling the wheel, make sure your hands are mirrored and symmetrical so you have a sturdy grip, which gives you more control when you turn and manoeuvre. With a loose grip, you might waste time having to correct your path.4. SIT TIGHT - It sounds silly, but the way you sit and your posture can actually make a big difference in how the kart handles and accelerates. Sit comfortably with your back up against the seat and resist the urge to lean forward as you race. 5. KNOW YOUR LIMITS - Contrary to popular opinion, karting is a demanding, physical sport. If you feel tired or not in control of the kart, slow down a notch or pull over to let a marshal know. You’re more likely to have the most fun and perform at your best when you’re calm and comfortable!

5 T

IPS

& T

RIC

KS

FO

R T

HE

BES

T LA

PS

TERMS & CONDITIONS

*Please note promotional products, tangible gifts (excluding books) and choice Vouchers are excluded from the list of exchangeable products.

1. This pack is for a face value voucher that entitles the holder to any experience or other product* supplied by the Activity Superstore, up to the value stated, including the experience(s) listed on the box or in the brochure.

2. By purchasing this voucher you are bound by our full terms and conditions, which can be found at www.usemygift.com

3. The retailer from whom the experience voucher is purchased is acting as agent for and on behalf of The Activity Superstore Limited and your contract is with The Activity Superstore Limited who is the issuer of the experience voucher.

4. The chosen experience must be registered, booked and taken by the stated expiry date.

5. Activity Superstore reserves the right to offer an alternative experience.

6. Standard retailer refund policies apply. Please see terms & conditions for the full refund policy.

VALIDATING AND BOOKINGYOUR EXPERIENCE!

Please visit the website stated on the back of your voucher.

Enter your activation number and then follow the online security steps.

Once you have registered your details successfully with us please write down your unique voucher number in the space provided on the front of your voucher. You will then receive on screen booking information, which will also be sent to your e-mail address.

Then all you need to do is book your experience and prepare to have the time of your life!

Please note: This information is correct as of time of printing. For an up-to-date list of locations and restrictions please visit: www.usemygift.com

If this experience isn’t for you or if you simply want to see what else is available, visit

exchanges.activitysuperstore.com

For security reasons, and so you have the most up-to-date information you will need to register your details and validate your voucher with us, all you need to do is follow the steps below.