They dress up as soldiers, pretend to be real soldiers in a combat and play airsoft with replicas of real weapons. About fifteen Airsoft clubs play airsoft in the Basque Country and Navarre every weekend.
amplify image One person playing airsoft. Photo: EiTBIt is hard to see them in the bushes or in the mountain. They camouflage themselves and crawl and roll around on the floor as if they were soldiers accomplishing a mission. Today, they are defending a bunker. "Once the bunker is conquered, game over". Roberto Mendiola, Neo from Airsoft Getxo, says. They are playing airsoft.

They carry replicas of real weapons that shoot biodegradable pellets. The shot put is not so violent, that is the reason for the name, Airsoft.

Players say its is a "way to reduce stress and adrenaline" and a chance to feel a hero. "The tension of the game makes you feel as if you were inside a film", Fernan Berasategi says.

Airsoft supporters say all kind of people can play. The only rule is to be older than 18 years old. "We play soldiers, as a team and following a strategy. Each game emulates a different situation. We can play to rescue a hostage, to defuse a bomb or to evacuate a factory", Roberto Mendiola (Neo) says.

Sometimes, they write a script for their games. "We take the idea of some film and write a script for our game, this way we avoid to play always the same game", Pedro, from Airsoft Amorebieta, says.

This practice is gaining importance. Sixteen Airsoft clubs have been formed within the last three years in the Autonomous Community of the Basque Country and Navarre, eight in Bizkaia, three in álava, two in Gipuzkoa and three in Navarre . Javier Marín, owner of Bilbao's shop Trastane specializing in swords and Airsoft replicas, has witnessed the increase of players. "More and more people are becoming interested and we have witnessed an strong increase", he says.

?Toys or weapons?

There is a gap in the law concerning the airsoft replicas. The weapon regulations do not observe the airsoft replicas because "they are not weapons because they do not have a serial number. They are toys. Toys for adults", Javier Marín says.

The fact is that they are toys with very unusual characteristics, because they look like real weapons and the airsoft players have to observe some rules. "We must not show them in public and we have to carry them inside the car's trunk inside their own box", Roberto Mendiola (Neo) says.
Besides, it is essential to keep the bill. "Thus, you can prove it is a toy and not a weapon if the Basque or Spanish police requires you to do so", Gorka Rios, known as Patton, says.

The replicas are usually electric– , gas- or spring-powered and you can find pistols, revolvers, rifles, machine-guns, sniper rifles…" A replica costs from some 60 euros, the most simple ones, to 400 or 500 euros the most high-level ones", the owner of the shop Trastane says.

The replicas are made in China and Japan. So far, most of the players bought them on the Internet. "In this case, they are inspected by the police to guarantee they are not real weapons and they can not become one", Gorka Rios says.

Apart from the replica, it is also necessary to wear suitable clothes; camouflage clothes, an imitation of the military clothing costs about 40 euros", boots, vests, intercom, safety goggles. "Safety goggles are compulsory during the game to protect the eyes. You can not play without goggles", Roberto Mendiola (Neo) says.

Most of the clubs play in private fields, well signaled with signs and posters. It is also advisable to report the game to the police so that no misleading happens.

Honour game

There usually are not referees in the games, "it is a game for reliable people". The rules to eliminate players are easy. Once the player is shot, he has to raise his hand and say loud he is eliminated. "You have to be honest", Neo says. Dishonest players who do not observe the rules and do not acknowledge their hits are called "zombies".

Players must observe the minimum security range to shoot the opponent. This minimum range changes according to the power range of the replicas. "The way I which we play, protecting one another, encourages comradeship and work in groups", Javier Marín adds.

Airsoft was developed in Japan. After the Second World War, it was forbidden to own firearms so weapon manufacturers started to make replicas of real firearms.

Despite Airsoft simulates a violent event, players say "they are against wars" and maintain "they are not violent at all". There are some countries where Airsoft is recognized as a sport. Here , it is not regulated yet.

Interesting links

Airsoft Bilbao

Airsoft Getxo

Airsoft Amorebieta

Asociacion Haizeztia Airsoft Erandio

Sapuherri Airsoft Taldea Durango

UNIDAD CENTINELAS AIRSOFT (U.C.A) (Bilbao)

Airsoft Pamplona