Canon PowerShot SD700 IS
ƒ/2.8
5.8 mm
1/100

I had lunch at Stanford yesterday and saw a most unusual hunt. It was one of the try-out rituals for becoming the next Stanford Tree, the school mascot. The current Tree is the hunter (using a semi-automatic with a large CO2 tank shoulder mount), and some prospects scurry about. Whoever takes the most paint ball hits is the glorious winner.

I have felt the welt that these paintballs leave though a layer of camo. On his bare skin, they left what appears to be a bloody impact crater with a spray of ruptured capillaries. They generally don’t leave a permanent mark, but he should have some technicolor bruises for a few days.

17 responses to “Bap bap bap!”

  1. !MimosaMicheMichelle! Avatar
    !MimosaMicheMichelle!

    LOL Good for him!

    I was an adult in college a couple of times and no one ever dared to included me in any initiation rituals. I am so glad!

    Reply
  2. RRNeal Avatar
    RRNeal

    Unfortunately, I can also empathsize with the pain being experienced (although never with exposed skin). Depending on how the current "Tree" dialed in his CO2, that paintball could be traveling at over 200 mph – which, obviously, increases the entertainment level. Did the fellow in the speedo win? He should get points for sheer bravado.

    Reply
  3. jurvetson Avatar
    jurvetson

    Yes, he did win, and certainly had the best spirit.

    And, the pressure sounded like it was dialed in for a regular game. When they did a test shot to the tree in the distance, it was a straight shot with a loud crack on impact. You should have seen the guy’s eyes go wide at that sound….

    Aftermath…. Here is one of the impact craters:

    Aftermath

    Reply
  4. Erik Charlton Avatar
    Erik Charlton

    =)

    Reply
  5. benjiman Avatar
    benjiman

    The thrill of SPORT!

    Reply
  6. blushing sand Avatar
    blushing sand

    I was hit in the neck with one once at fairly close range (10ft or so) and even though some part of my brain was aware of what was going on, the pain and the spray of fluid forced some other primal part of my brain to feel otherwise about the situation and it was very interesting to experience.
    Interesting and painful.

    Reply
  7. meanjean Avatar
    meanjean

    So, until his bruises go away, he will be the Eucalyptus Tree…

    Reply
  8. Victor1 Avatar
    Victor1

    "Higher Education" indeed!

    Reply
  9. andrewparker915 Avatar
    andrewparker915

    As an ex-tree on the receiving end of .45 caliber bullet, I can say with authority "That is nothing."

    daily.stanford.edu/article/2002/3/1/newTreeTakesThePlunge

    Reply
  10. Norby Avatar
    Norby

    So really, the major benefit of being chosen is being allowed to shoot the next poor sods, eh? 🙂

    -//

    Reply
  11. jah~ Avatar
    jah~

    Congrats! This photo was chosen for a song mosaic:
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/jahdakinebrah/484056613/in/pool-ltw/

    If you like the concept, feel free to join the group:
    http://www.flickr.com/groups/ltw/pool/

    Many thanks for making the photo availble through the CC license and for tagging well!

    Reply
  12. schoschie Avatar
    schoschie

    Ouch. I’ve seen impact wounds with low-power paintball guns and through several layers of clothing. They were technicolor indeed (but not very painful). Hard to imagine what this would be like.

    Reply
  13. SerialK Avatar
    SerialK

    MASKS FOR PETE’S SAKE!

    —
    Found in a search. (?)

    Reply
  14. CastroJournal Avatar
    CastroJournal

    Everyone in that photo should be wearing paintball masks. A shot to the eye can kill. The velocity should also never exceed 300 fps, or you can kill someone.

    Reply
  15. JLivePB Avatar
    JLivePB

    This gives paintball a bad name. Who ever was doing this should have had the people wearing masks.

    Reply
  16. Marcus Charter Avatar
    Marcus Charter

    Does anyone know how much damage can be caused if this hits an eye or enters through one of the softer area of the skull?

    Get some masks for the next time you do this before you kill, maim, or blind someone!

    Reply
  17. Photos by JPapagoda Avatar
    Photos by JPapagoda

    what the above said ^

    stop doing stupid things people.

    Reply

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