Category: Featured
Paintball V Airsoft
Question: Are Airsoft and Paintball the Same Thing?
The simple answer is no.
Paintball is a sport that consists of opposing players shooting gelatin-filled capsules at each other that break open upon impact and mark the opposing player.Airsoft is a sport that consists of opposing players shooting small, plastic pellets at each other which do not break upon impact and do not mark the opposing player.
Paintball and Airsoft are both variations on the classic game of tag, but they require different equipment. A paintball gun cannot be used to shoot airsoft pellets and an airsoft gun cannot be used to shoot paintballs. See guns below – very different.
Paintball and Airsoft are played on the same type of fields and arenas and require the same level of tactical play and teamwork.
We can offer you both Airsoft and Paintball here at the activity people.
Click here to see all our sites.
We can offer you both Airsoft and Paintball here at the activity people.
Click here to see all our sites.
PAINTBALL PLAYER
AIRSOFT PLAYER
Voucher That Gives You More!
Plan to Be Active for World Health Day
On 7 April, people all over the globe celebrate World Health Day, but if puffed rice cakes have taught us anything, it’s that healthy doesn’t always equal fun.
But there are plenty of ways to have a blast while burning that unwanted bulk. That’s why The Activity People have put our heads together to produce a list of activities guaranteed to make both you and your ticker exceedingly happy.
You don’t have to fighting fit to play paintball, airsoft or laser combat. They’re fun sports that are accessible to the majority of people. But the best thing about combat sports is you’ll be getting a nice little workout without even realising it. While you’re busy playing soldier and dodging enemy fire, you’ll benefit from a great cardio workout. Plus with so much emphasis on planning and strategy you’ll be training your brain too.
2. Water Sports
For full body fitness mixed with pure exhilaration our range of water sports experiences are hard to beat. Choose from surfing, wakeboarding, wind surfing and many more. Water sports promote balance, skill and general fitness. You’re guaranteed to have a blast and flex those muscles (not least when climbing back on the board every time you fall off).
Like water sports, climbing will work all of your major muscle groups as well as some you might not have known were there. The Activity People offers indoor, outdoor and high rope climbing experiences all over the UK. Whether testing yourself against a purpose built climbing wall or a rocky cliff face overlooking spectacular views of the country, you’ll be flexing body and mind as you navigate your way to the peak.
These are just a few of the awesome activities you could get stuck into with the UK’s number 1 activity provider. For a list of all of the sports we offer and facilities nationwide which offer them, just visit our official site.
Adrenalin Activity Passport
Why give someone one adrenalin-fuelled activity gift experience, when you can give the THE LOT!.
Yes, new from the UK’s biggest Activity network, comes the Activity Passport This clever little gift gives the lucky recipient access to 882 activity locations in the UK – yep 882!
So, which one of your friends or family will wake up to the best gift ever on their birthday of Christmas morning. You choose – but make sure you get it right – click here
The company has been around for 15 years and is the chosen activity provider for Visit Britain, Go Outdoors and many of the companies that provide activities under their own brand. So go direct and buy into the best adrenalin activity gift voucher experience in the UK.
Activity Passport – the gateway to activity heaven
It’s Official! Karting Can Make You More Successful!
You may have noticed an upturn in the fortunes of Premier League football club West Ham United over the past couple of weeks. But did you know that their improvement in form coincided directly with a team kart race and clay pigeon shoot?
Early in February, the relegation battlers were beaten at home by Birmingham City, before scraping a late draw against similarly relegation threatened West Bromwich Albion.
That’s when manager Avram Grant decided to introduce a brand new tactic; but not on the football field, on the kart track.
Grant took his underperforming athletes to enjoy a day of high speed karting followed by clay shooting. In his own words, the manager told The Telegraph “we decided to take the individuals to be as a team together”.
Since then the Hammers have picked up two very impressing victories, thumping Burnley in the FA Cup before doing exactly the same to an in form Liverpool in their last league game. It’s widely thought that their 3-1 demolition of Kenny Dalglish’s reds ranks as their best performance so far in the season, and Grant is in no doubt that the club’s rubber-burning, trigger-pumping day out has played a vital role in their sensational resurgence.
“It was good for the team. It was very successful. It was nice to see them enjoying themselves away from everything.”
Action-packed away days are a great way for any team or company to escape the rigours of their daily workload, and recharge their batteries so that when they return to work, they’re ready to give their best.
There isn’t a better way to turn your ‘individuals’ into a ‘team’.
Don’t believe us? Just ask the nearest West Ham fan.
If you’re interested in organising a lightning fast go kart grand prix, a spectacular clay pigeon shoot, an all guns blazing paintball war, a skydive or more, there are hundreds of options available through The Activity People, and you can find them all right here.
The Activity People’s Top 5 Movie Car Chases
Throughout this week, The Activity People have been counting down their Top 5 Movie Car Chases via our Facebook page. We’ve chosen the ones that make us want to get behind the wheel and burn some rubber just like our cinematic heroes.
It was a tough decision to make, because there’re just so many great scenes to choose from, and plenty of epic, big screen wheel-spinners missed out all together.
There was no place on the list for the awesome Vanishing Point or Smokey and The Bandit. In The Bourne Supremacy, Matty Damon manages a riveting chase, despite crashing his car around fifty times, and it still didn’t make the list. They made two whole movies full of gas guzzling, car smashing action and called them both Gone In 60 Seconds, but neither could accelerate into our Top 5; nor could any of the brilliant Fast and Furious franchise.
The movies which race onto our Top 5 list are there because we think they embody all of the reasons that everybody loves a good car chase: the thunderous engine noise, the screaming tyres, the shiny bodies zipping through impressive locations and, of course, the trail of destruction they leave in their wake. And these cars are responsible for plenty of silver screen carnage.
So sit back, strap yourself in, and enjoy The Activity People’s Top 5 Movie Car Chases. Is your favourite on the list?
5. The Blues Brothers
Jake and Elwood Blues are on a mission from God (apparently), and they’re not going to let anything stand in their way…not even a crowded shopping mall.
At the time of release, this movie held the record for most cars crashed. A total of 12 ‘Bluesmobiles’ were used throughout the film, including one built especially to fall apart.
To view the scene click here.
4. The Bourne Identity
His Supremacy chase didn’t make the list, but a chase from this equally great movie did. The Italian Job might be a little more famous for hurtling through a grand European city in a Mini Cooper, but the live action driving in this flick really puts the beloved little car to the test.
The release of the film had to be rescheduled, after director Doug Liman ordered a series of re-shoots, including this riveting chase. We’re certainly glad he did.
To view the scene click here.
3. Bullitt
The undisputed Daddy of the car chase and a title usually preceded by a Number 1 in lists of this nature, this exciting Steve McQueen vehicle only reached Number 3 in our list, but the iconic San Francisco streets and the unmistakable muscle car rumble will ensure that this movie lives forever in the annals of cinema history.
Director Peter Yates called for the chase to be shot at speeds of 75-80mph but the cars used managed insane speeds of over 110mph. Filming of the chase scene took more than three weeks and resulted in less than ten minutes of footage. But it’s great footage, indeed.
Two Ford Mustangs and Two Dodge Chargers were used to shoot the chase scene. All were expertly modified for high-speed chasing. Both Chargers were junked after filming along with one of the Mustangs. McQueen attempted to purchase the remaining Ford many years later but the private owner refused to sell and to this day the car sits, un-driven, in a barn.
To view the scene click here.
2. The French Connection
Another all time classic at Number 2. This time it’s Gene Hackman’s iconic portrayal of tough cop Popeye Doyle behind the wheel. He’s pushing the pedal to the metal in pursuit of the bad guys. The trouble is they’re not in a car. They’re in a runaway train speeding by on an overhead track.
Like Bullitt, no music accompanies the scene, though director William Friedkin edited the sequence to the tempo of Carlos Santana’s Black Magic Woman. The only sound we get during the movie is the harrowing noises of the carnage that unfolds.
The crash that takes place at the intersection of Stillwell Avenue and 86th Street was unplanned but included in the movie because of its realism. The man involved was driving to work, oblivious to the fact that the chase was being shot. Producers later paid bills for the car’s repairs.
To view the scene click here.
1. Ronin
A gritty and intense, rocking roller coaster of a chase shot on location on the busy streets of Paris. Ronin mightn’t be the biggest movie name on the list, but with the unforgettable chase sequences director John Frankenheimer set out to create the textbook car scenes that all subsequent Hollywood speedsters would learn from and emulate. Everybody here at The Activity People thinks he definitely succeeded.
The film enlisted the crème de la crème of stunt drivers from all over the world, including former Formula 1 driver Jean-Pierre Jarier.
The chases in the movie are famous for being some of the most authentic ever committed to film, and one of the subtle tricks used to do this was a set of modified right-hand drive cars. In these impressive machines, the passenger side was made up to mirror the real controls. Robert De Niro and Natasha McElhone then mimicked the stunt drivers while the action played out.
To view the scene click here.
There you have it, The Activity People’s Top 5 Movie Car Chases in all their petrol powered glory. The films we can’t watch without wanting to leap behind the wheel and satisfy our own burning need for speed.
If you’re looking to burn some rubber, too, we offer a number of great activities that allow you to do so. Get behind the wheel in karting, rally driving and many more. They’re fast and fun adrenaline explosions, and they’re also perfectly safe.
Visit our website to find out more, then get out there and really floor it.
5 Great Ways To Be Superman
English actor Henry Cavill has landed the role of Superman in the latest Hollywood superhero blockbuster, and everybody here at The Activity People is sure that his career’s about to take off faster than a speeding bullet.
So, to celebrate, we thought we’d fill you in on 5 great ways that you can take to the sky…just like the guy in the famous red undies.
1. Skydiving
A tandem skydive is just about as flabbergastingly brilliant as extreme sports get, and you don’t need to worry about a laborious training regime because you’ll be attached to a trained professional who’ll take care of the technical stuff while you enjoy a 120mph free-falling, gravity-powered joy-ride.
It’s an adrenaline rush unlike any you’ll have felt before, and a completely new perspective on the world (directly above it, and approaching fast). This is far from a once in a lifetime experience, because once you’ve made the jump, you’ll want to do it again and again.
Ok, so Superman could fly Lois over the Metropolis skyline in his arms, but you can go one better: soaring majestically above the breathtaking British countryside in the lap of luxury.
Fly by morning or evening, when the sky is at its most dramatic and beautiful. Take off over the tree tops and drift blissfully wherever the wind takes you. Hot Air Balloon rides can ascend as high as 4000ft, and that provides views to rival any on Earth. It’s both exciting and peaceful, and the memories will last a lifetime. Perfect for couples.
We can’t leap tall buildings in a single bound, but we can fly high with the wind in our faces and plenty of buildings far beneath us. Strap yourself into any of our two-seat microlights and experience the thrill of open air flying. You’ll be in the more than capable hands of a trained pilot with plenty of experience in light aircraft fliying.
Each pilot is a qualified instructor, who may even let you briefly take the reigns during your unforgettable flight.
An unbelievable day of aviation action is ready and waiting for you at any of our Bi Plane facilities in the UK. Strap yourself in and blast off for close formation flying and hair-raising aerobatics.
We employ some of the most trusted pilots in their field. It’s heart-pounding stuff, but it’s safe too. You’re thrown in the thick of high speed aerial manoeuvres, you might not have thought possible, until you find yourself, mid-air, and smack bang in the middle of them.
5. Body Flying
True, you won’t exactly be in the sky, but Body Flying is still the closest you’ll get to being a real life Superman. It’s the thrill and sensation of free fall…but without the falling part.
Leap onto a portable, vertical wind tunnel and learn to fly on wind speeds of up to 125mph in a safe enclosed area. You won’t need any previous experience, nor will you need a parachute, but you’re bound to have a blast. Make the leap then fly like the Man of Steel, himself.
Finally, for those of you who aren’t aware of handsome Henry Cavill, here’s 5 quick facts about the latest dude to don the red cape and the big ‘S’.
- He’s previously missed out on the roles of James Bond, Batman and…Superman! After being pipped to the post by Brandon Routh for the super hero’s last big screen outing, Empire magazine referred to Cavill as “The unluckiest man in Hollywood”.
- He was author Stephanie Meyer’s first choice for the role of Edward Cullen in the movie adaptations of her Twilight series. Unfortunately for Henry, and the rest of us, it wasn’t her decision and the studio plumped for Robert Pattinson instead.
- He’s fluent in no less than four languages, including Spanish, French and Italian. No prizes for guessing the other.
- He probably smells good. After all, he’s currently the face of Dunhill, fragrances for men.
- If Henry hadn’t got into acting, he’d have joined the armed forces, in order to fulfil his sense of ‘patriotic pride’. Ironic then that the proud Brit is about to become world famous for playing an American icon. Or should that be a Kryptonian icon?
Spotlight on… Indoor Climbing
As we enter February some people’s New Year’s resolutions and best laid plans may have fallen by the wayside, while others might be starting to feel the pinch. The best ways to give your health kick a boost is to introduce some adrenaline and adventure.
Bobbing in place on a health club treadmill is one thing, but there are a number of action-packed activities to get your heart pounding, blood flowing and fat burning while having a lot more fun.
Indoor climbing is an exciting and hugely rewarding pursuit, and the low-impact nature of the sport means it’s perfect for just about anybody. It improves total body fitness, as well as problem solving skills. But that’s not all. Climbing exercises can also greatly expand your social circle.
You don’t need superhuman strength to enjoy your climb and ridiculously large biceps aren’t necessary at all. Your journey up the wall will engage every part of your body. You’ll develop coordination, strength, endurance, flexibility, balance and, most importantly, you’ll blast away as many calories as any other fitness program would. Plus, you’ll be flexing that big muscle known as your brain, because half the battle is mapping the most successful route for your ascent.
The Activity People offer a number of climbing experiences around the country, but if you’re based in the North Yorkshire area, why not test your skills upon our 14m high indoor walls in Harrogate?
The impressive facility boasts 66 indoor climbing lines with an average of 190 routes set in the centre at any one time. You’ll also find awesome feed and top roping areas set with routes graded from 3 to 8a and beyond. This means that there’s suitable climbing conditions whatever your level of skill.
This includes the complete beginner, who will undoubtedly benefit from one of our in depth Taster Sessions. The hour long exercise gets you onto the wall with a fully qualified instructor, who’ll teach you the basics and allow you to squeeze in as much climbing action as possible within the time. You’ll benefit a great deal from their tuition, and you’re likely to get hooked on the sport.
What’s more, even your little ones are invited too with the site regularly hosting kids climbing parties. The wacky wall-climbing action will keep the youngsters gripped for the whole of their 1 and a half hour session, and a range of party food can also be included in the package.
It’s a great way for them to have fun with their friends, and once you have caught the climbing bug, you’re likely to make a whole host of new friends, too. Through The Activity People and our various climbing centres, you’ll be introduced to an entirely new social circle. Many climbing endeavours require the partnership of a climber and ‘belayer’ and the development of an understanding between the two.
A new body, new activity and new friends: not a bad way to keep those resolutions going strong.