Huntington Beach 2008

Huntington Beach - for six years in a row this event has launched the season for the NPPL. It just gets better and better every year. This was probably the smoothest running event I have ever seen. No one complained about anything - not even the reffing. I certainly had nothing to complain about. Here I was basking in the warm California sunshine while back home everyone was still at grips with the worst winter we have seen since the 1930's. My only disappointment was that Edmonton Impact failed to make it to Sunday. That caught everyone by surprise, including the team.

Above - Center court from the Pro paddock.

Counter-clockwise from left: Josh, Anthony, and Justin from Impact.

Impact have been the Pro team to watch for the past year. This disappointing start to the NPPL season will mean the boys from Canada are going to have to work very hard to finish strongly in this series.

Above - PB2X VIP tent overlooking center court.

Above - In the media tower overlooking center court. Jesse works his magic to help bring you live coverage through the NPPL Webcast.

Above - Ryan Moorhead with the soon to be released Luxe. Ryan walked me through this seriously cool new marker with its surprisingly ingenious features.

Above - Federov's Luxe marker.

Above: Owen from Badlands watches the action on center court from the VIP area.

Above: Trevor Moss (8 Stores) and Oleg Uvarov, the Moscow Maestro, (5stores) share their plans for World Domination. Badlands Moscow coming soon? No comment!

No event is complete without a party! Saturday night we all went to celebrate Toni's birthday at the Harp in Newport.

Above - Owen (Badlands) and Opie (Dynasty).

Above: Toni the birthday girl with Trevor (and Clare in fine form in the background)

Above: Clare and Rita.

Above: Toni rocks out on stage.

Above: John, owner of the Harp Inn in Newport beach, welcomes Owen and Toni back to their favorite California pub.

All kinds of paintball celebrities turned up at the party. Pictured are Max Lunquist (Joy Division) and Ged Green (Angel Paintball Sports).

Above: Jacko from Eclipse and Toni Johnson celebrate at the Harp Inn.

Toni Johnson, Voice of the NPPL and new Canadian, celebrates with Trevor, Krazy Kelly and Clare Benavides. Looks like this one was taken pretty late in the evening...

Ryan Greenspan waiting in between games

Alex Fraige hurt his hand by giving too many Vulcan salutes and could not play.

BC sports a Badlands 20th year commemorative pin on his goggle strap.

Rodney and Todd reading the latest Facefull.

Owen and Ged in the VIP.

Images from the the VIP compound

Greg Hastings debuted the latest GHTP game for the Ninendo Wii at the Hyatt. Industry greats were in attendance and battled it out in a fierce cash-prize contest

Greg (center) schooling an opponent

Thomas Taylor made it to the semis but lost to Nicky Cuba.

Oliver Lang and Sammy battle in the first round.

Matty Marshall was the official score keeper.

Nicky Cuba's girlfriend Mel smashed her way into the semi-finals but suffered defeat at the hands of Trevor from Badlands. That left Trevor and Nicky Cuba battling for the prize. In a nail-bitting best of seven series Trevor narrowly took the win, beating Nicky 4-3, and emerged both victorious and $500 richer. To celebrate, Trevor blew half the cash buying rounds at the NPPL players party, and then generously donated the rest to a deserving charity. Go Canada!

Left - Trevor and Greg Hastings. After the match was over, Trevor and Greg played an exhibition match where Greg soundly pounded Trevor into the ground.