Posted: Sun Jun 12, 2005 1:52 pm
As some may know, I get more solitary soaker practice than I do get to participate in actual water fights. However, when the weather is right and I can find a few or more willing targets..errr... friends, a soaker-fight isn't too far off.
At any rate, last Friday, I had my first set of mini-skirmishes for 2005. 'twas at a work-related party/BBQ and me, being a soaker fanatic, decided to bring along 4 blasters to the party, unbeknownst to the remainder of the guests
Being an extremely hot and humid day, everyone was complaining about the heat and longing for ways to cool off. With opportunity in hand, I pulled out two soakers at first (a Super Soaker Helix and the Super Soaker Flash Flood). The Helix may not be too powerful, but I really like how its spiraling streams coat areas. The Flash Flood, well, is a great 'ice-breaker' when it comes to introducing the current state of modern water warfare to the un-initiated. With some admiring the gentle spiral of water from the Helix and the standard stream from the Flash Flood against a tree, a sudden blast from the Flash Flood's large nozzle got things started (especially as that blast was actually aimed at someone as opposed to inanimate objects ).
Wanting revenge, I was asked if I had any other soakers available. I happily pulled out a Water Warriors Xenon and Water Warriors Blazer to add to the fray. Had I known of the warm reception to the water blasters, I would have brought more along. However, as I wasn't sure about the availability of water nor willing participants, I had opted to only bring the 4 blasters.
Being the 'initiator', I also found myself targetted by others many times over whether I had a soaker in hand or not! I opted to be nice and never used the Flash Flood (though it sure was used against me!) I did most of my combat with either the Helix or Blazer. Output and ranges aside, while water lasted, the Helix, Flash Flood, and Blazer performed similarly in terms of general intimidation and soakage per shot. Sure the Flash Flood's main blast could out-drench, but if it missed, the user would need to do some serious pumping (and running) before he/she could fire again. The Blazer's large reservoir meant it lasted longer between fills. While the Helix's capacity was small, I found myself still really enjoying making it 'rain' on people by doing rapid quick pumps at a slightly more raised angle. It may not soak in a single shot, but the 'rain' made it harder for my opponents to see and aim properly, allowing me to further taunt them until I found myself out of water.
It was also the first time I really tried using blasters as make-shift shields by turning the side of a blaster to deflect an incoming stream. Some stream would still get through at times, but it did help reduce my wetness.
As the skirmishes progressed, blasters were passed from one to another to allow people to 'take revenge' on those who had shot at them earlier.
By the latter part of the day, those who participated in the make-shift skirmishes were soaked, but much cooler and smiling. Definitely a successful soaking day! Many asked me where I had bought these soakers from and roughly how much they'd cost. They also wanted a 'rematch' at some later point this summer. I know I'll gladly take them up on their request. Perhaps if there's enough interest, might try something slightly more organized next time.
Soak on!
At any rate, last Friday, I had my first set of mini-skirmishes for 2005. 'twas at a work-related party/BBQ and me, being a soaker fanatic, decided to bring along 4 blasters to the party, unbeknownst to the remainder of the guests
Being an extremely hot and humid day, everyone was complaining about the heat and longing for ways to cool off. With opportunity in hand, I pulled out two soakers at first (a Super Soaker Helix and the Super Soaker Flash Flood). The Helix may not be too powerful, but I really like how its spiraling streams coat areas. The Flash Flood, well, is a great 'ice-breaker' when it comes to introducing the current state of modern water warfare to the un-initiated. With some admiring the gentle spiral of water from the Helix and the standard stream from the Flash Flood against a tree, a sudden blast from the Flash Flood's large nozzle got things started (especially as that blast was actually aimed at someone as opposed to inanimate objects ).Wanting revenge, I was asked if I had any other soakers available. I happily pulled out a Water Warriors Xenon and Water Warriors Blazer to add to the fray. Had I known of the warm reception to the water blasters, I would have brought more along. However, as I wasn't sure about the availability of water nor willing participants, I had opted to only bring the 4 blasters.
Being the 'initiator', I also found myself targetted by others many times over whether I had a soaker in hand or not! I opted to be nice and never used the Flash Flood (though it sure was used against me!
) I did most of my combat with either the Helix or Blazer. Output and ranges aside, while water lasted, the Helix, Flash Flood, and Blazer performed similarly in terms of general intimidation and soakage per shot. Sure the Flash Flood's main blast could out-drench, but if it missed, the user would need to do some serious pumping (and running) before he/she could fire again. The Blazer's large reservoir meant it lasted longer between fills. While the Helix's capacity was small, I found myself still really enjoying making it 'rain' on people by doing rapid quick pumps at a slightly more raised angle. It may not soak in a single shot, but the 'rain' made it harder for my opponents to see and aim properly, allowing me to further taunt them until I found myself out of water.It was also the first time I really tried using blasters as make-shift shields by turning the side of a blaster to deflect an incoming stream. Some stream would still get through at times, but it did help reduce my wetness.
As the skirmishes progressed, blasters were passed from one to another to allow people to 'take revenge' on those who had shot at them earlier.
By the latter part of the day, those who participated in the make-shift skirmishes were soaked, but much cooler and smiling. Definitely a successful soaking day! Many asked me where I had bought these soakers from and roughly how much they'd cost. They also wanted a 'rematch' at some later point this summer. I know I'll gladly take them up on their request. Perhaps if there's enough interest, might try something slightly more organized next time.
Soak on!
