Flambards becomes home to unlikely new event

-Credit:Greg Martin / Cornwall Live
-Credit:Greg Martin / Cornwall Live


A combat-style team event where players hit each other with plastic balls is coming to Cornwall this spring. Airsoft International has announced that its AI-500 event will be held at Flambards Theme Park in Helston on April 11.

Airsoft skirmishing is a sport in which participants eliminate opponents by hitting each other with spherical non-metallic pellets launched via replica firearms called airsoft guns. Unlike laser-based games or paintball, the game works on an honour system where players are encouraged to leave the game once they are hit as the lightweight pellets do not leave a mark like a paintball.

Skirmishing entails having two opposing teams (a red and yellow team, for example) who are set a task to achieve. The task might be as simple as catching the opponents’ flag or a more complex task such as finding and securing a downed pilot and escorting him back to the safety of your base whilst fending off the opposing team of fifty or so players all within a 30 minute game time.

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Airsoft International (AI) explained that as part of its AI-500 event, uses its existing staff to produce an immersive weekend game at a site that has never been played in by airsofters before or is not run specifically used as an airsoft site to give players a different experience. This year, it has chosen Cornwall's recently closed theme park, Flambards, as its venue for the event.

Organisers insisted that despite the huge demand for the event, which started 19 years ago, it is a closed event like a private function and is therefore not opened to the general public.

As well as a unique location, the event is also usually loosely based on a film or TV show or concept to add an extra level of fun. Pricing for the event will be tiered. Those who attended their previous game, Anzio Point, and AI subscribers will be eligible for a ticket at £100.

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The organisers believe it could give the Helston area a massive economic boost as 500 people will descend on the area and spend money in local shops, restaurants, pubs and hotels and other holiday accommodation.

These tickets will be available until January 20, however can be extended provided the AI team are given the heads up. Tickets for new players will begin at £110 as an early bird price, rising to £120 after the first 100 tickets have sold.

There will be ample space for on-site sleeping, along with power, a canteen running on the Saturday and Sunday, and a fully licensed bar on the Friday and Saturday nights. You can find out more about the event on the Airsoft International website, here.

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