interview
By Joshua D. Silverman
Josh: Full Name, Age, Hometown
Simon: Simon Stevens, 38, Sewell New
Jersey
be 16 to play paintball in England so I had
to wait two more years until I could play.
While I waited I bought every magazine I
could on the subject. So I’ve been involved
Josh: How many years playing? Do you still with paintball for 24 years now. I first
play? What’s your favorite style of paintplayed on my sixteenth birthday. My birthball?
day is always around/during World Cup so
Simon: 22 years playing: Absolutely. I am
every year I celebrate my birthday at World
just heading back from the Vicious Streetball Cup as well as another year of paintball.
event as I type this. I love all forms of paint- This World Cup the finals will be played on
ball from Stock class to PSP. Probably my
the 20th (my birthday) and it will be 22-plus
favourite way to play right now though is
years that I have been plaing.
pump with a good group of people/friends.
Josh: How did you get started in your particJosh: What’s your home paintball field?
ular field in paintball, product design, engiSimon: I am halfway between TopGun in
neering etc? What is your formal training?
New Jersey and OXCC in Maryland, but
Simon: Last question first, I have an honours
I make my home at whichever event I am
degree in mechanical engineering and busiplaying. I have always enjoyed EMR and
ness management. I first got started making
CPX too. Tough to call a specific field my
paintball equipment because when I first
home field as I love to play at different
started playing paintball there was so much
fields all around the country. If you catch
room for improvement and opportunity to
me playing locally it would be Top Gun or
modify my equipment with the goal of makOXCC though.
ing it better. Also as a student I had no money, so if I wanted something better, making
Josh: How did you get your start playing
it was one of my few options. I still have the
paintball and where was this?
very first thing I ever made when I was 16,
Simon: I first found out about paintball when a grip frame, sat on my desk where I design
I was 14 by reading a magazine on the
to remind me where I came from. It’s crude
way to school, but unfortunately you had to and rough, made with basic tools and parts
86
PAINTBAL