Editing ZAP Paintball (section)

== History ==

=== Early development ===

ZAP was established in Canada and became an established supplier of paintballs during the early development of organised tournament paintball.

A United States trademark application for ZAP paintball ammunition was filed on 16 January 1992 and registered on 12 October 1993.[6]

During the 1990s, the company developed a commercial presence in both Canadian and American paintball markets, supplying ammunition to recreational players, tournament teams and commercial fields.

Its activities expanded beyond manufacturing and distribution to include event sponsorship and tournament promotion.

=== International Amateur Open ===

ZAP became closely associated with the [[International Amateur Open]], established in Pennsylvania in 1990 by [[Debra Dion Krischke]].

Following the tournament's inaugural sponsorship by California Magnum, ZAP became the event's principal paintball sponsor.

The relationship continued for approximately ten years, with the competition frequently promoted as the '''ZAP International Amateur Open'''.

ZAP supplied tournament paintballs and participated in the event's equipment exhibitions and industry conferences.

In 2001, the company shared title sponsorship with [[32 Degrees Paintball]].[1]

Later that year, ZAP's sponsorship relationship with the International Amateur Open ended.

For the 2002 tournament, [[Diablo Paintball]] replaced ZAP as the principal paintball sponsor.[1]

=== Skyball ===

ZAP was also closely associated with [[Skyball]], an indoor tournament held at Toronto's SkyDome between 1998 and 2003.

The company was a major sponsor of the inaugural tournament in March 1998.

Contemporary coverage identified company representatives Gordon Moore and Mike Ratco as participants in the event's organisation and operations.[2]

The event subsequently became known as '''ZAP Skyball'''.

In 2001, ZAP worked with the World Paintball Federation to produce the fourth edition, which attracted 193 five-player teams and offered more than US$100,000 in cash and prizes.[3]

ZAP subsequently assumed direct responsibility for organising the 2002 tournament, with Gordon and Steve Moore overseeing operations.[7]

The company also hosted Skyball VI in March 2003, when more than 200 teams competed on six Sup'Air Ball fields inside the SkyDome.[8]

=== World Paintball Federation sponsorship ===

During 2001, ZAP sponsored a series of tournaments sanctioned by the World Paintball Federation.

The programme was promoted as the '''WPF/ZAP Tour''' and included the National Indoor Paintball Championships in Harriman, Tennessee.

The 2001 National Indoor Championships attracted 50 teams and offered more than US$20,000 in equipment prizes.

ZAP supplied its Pro Series Tournament Paintballs for competitions on the tour.[9]