Editing Sup'Air Ball (section)

== History ==

=== Introduction (1996) ===

Adrenaline Games began manufacturing inflatable paintball equipment in 1996.

Its first Sup'Air Ball bunkers were constructed from heavy tarpaulin using high-frequency welding and vulcanisation.

The original bunkers were airtight and incorporated water-filled bases to provide stability.

Unlike later designs, they did not use ground stakes or elastic anchoring systems.[1]

=== International introduction (1997) ===

Sup'Air Ball fields were demonstrated at the seven-player World Cup in Toulouse, France, in July 1997.

The equipment was subsequently exhibited at the Paintball World Cup in Orlando, Florida, later that year.

Following these demonstrations, distribution arrangements were established with Extreme Rage in the United States and PowerGames in Europe.[1]

=== Development of anchoring and inflation systems (1998) ===

During 1998, Sup'Air Ball introduced elastic tie-downs and ground anchors to improve bunker stability.

The company also developed weighted pockets that allowed bunkers to be stabilised using materials other than water.

A continuously inflated bunker system was demonstrated at the Campaign Cup in England.

This design used a network of air hoses supplying multiple bunkers from a continuous air source.

The system allowed lighter materials to be used and enabled damaged bunkers to remain inflated while air continued to flow through them.[1]

=== Product expansion (2000–2008) ===

In 2000, Adrenaline Games introduced the Sup'Air Ball 2000 range, incorporating revised materials.

The Leisure and Tubeless systems followed in 2001.

The Leisure range was intended to provide more affordable equipment for training and recreational facilities.

The Tubeless system used individual electric fans to maintain inflation without a network of connecting hoses.[1]

Further developments included revised airtight bunker systems in 2002 and full-colour digital printing options in 2004.

In 2006, Sup'Air Ball introduced a lower-priced recreational bunker range.

The HFI system followed in 2007, with separate training and tournament product ranges.

The Pro Series was introduced in 2008, incorporating revised valves, seams, anchoring systems and reinforced construction.[1]

=== Later development ===

Sup'Air Ball subsequently expanded its range beyond conventional tournament bunkers.

Documented products included:

* Jungle, Urban and Kids Series, introduced in 2009.
* Tactical Series, introduced in 2013.
* Heavy Duty Series, introduced in 2015.
* Animal Kids and Interactive Play System products, introduced in 2016.
* Tactical Walls, introduced in 2018.
* City of Gold and mobile netting systems, introduced in 2020.

These products were developed for recreational paintball, commercial playing fields and related activities.[1]