Editing Bob Gurnsey (section)

== National Survival Game Championships ==

=== Establishment ===

National Survival Game organised an early championship tournament in 1983.

The event became known as the [[National Survival Game Championships]].

=== First championship ===

The inaugural championship took place in New London, New Hampshire, in 1983.[3]

Eight teams from the United States and Canada reportedly participated.

The event used twelve-player teams.

Matches were played in wooded terrain.

=== Equipment restrictions ===

Contemporary tournament rules placed restrictions on equipment and ammunition.

Historical accounts describe players being limited to 40 paintballs and three 12-gram CO2 cartridges.

Matches could last up to 90 minutes.

These restrictions reflected the emphasis on fieldcraft, ammunition conservation and tactical movement during early tournament paintball.

=== First champions ===

The inaugural championship was won by the '''Unknown Rebels''' from Ontario, Canada.

The team became one of the earliest documented international tournament champions in paintball.

=== Later events ===

The National Survival Game Championships continued during the 1980s.

Historical records identify the following locations:

{| class="wikitable"
! Year
! Location
|-
| 1983
| New London, New Hampshire
|-
| 1984
| Atlanta, Georgia
|-
| 1985
| Houston, Texas
|-
| 1986
| Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
|-
| 1987
| Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
|-
| 1988
| Nashville, Tennessee
|-
| 1989
| Cincinnati, Ohio
|}

=== Historical importance ===

The championships helped establish organised paintball as a competitive activity.

They also encouraged the development of dedicated teams, tournament rules and regional competition.

The events preceded the later development of major professional tournament organisations such as the [[National Professional Paintball League]].