[The Saint]

1) How much of this is actually neccesary/a good idea?

Remember, more stuff you own = more crap you're tempted to carry into the field. Plus, there's just simply the financial aspect. If you buy a bunch of stuff you didn't try first and find out you didn't really need, it's something of a hassle to get rid of them. You probably won't need multiple batteries, unless your gun only takes minis. Even then, we're probably talking about 2 batteries at the most, with the way NiMH is advancing. As for mags, that's really up to how often you like to change mags, and there are different schools of thought on how to approach this.

2) Around what price range am I looking at? My initial figuring was about 1500 to 2000

That's a very good beginning amount, more than enough to get you everything you need to play and some things you end up getting because you think they're neat.

3) At the moment, I'm looking at getting a G36C, an MP5 (retracting stock,) an M4A1, or a SIG 552.

The M4 and MP5 are the current favorites, for a few reasons...

a. Most accesories, magazine holders, etc. seem to be designed for these two

b. They have the most customizable options

c. They're highly reccomended by people on this site

Well, you can join the thousands of existing Armalite users, that's fine. I'd recommend checking out Classic Army's M15A4 Carbine instead of a M4, though. Remember, the more accessories a gun can hold, the more tempted you are for overdressing your gun.

4) Are airsoft guns water proof? I currently half my life-guarding, snorkeling, and scube qualifications and I want to know if I can exploit those.

I've seen a video of people emerging from underwater, AEG rat-at-tatting, so it is possible. Recommended? Probably not so much. Also, you'd need to find fields with bodies of water that deep first...

5) What's a good way to get into the game? Just say "Hey I'm new, can I play a game with you?"

Sign up for a game in the Events forum and show up, be friendly, that's about it.

6) I recently went to Seattle on a Band trip. Airsoft guns down there were about 30 bucks American, and there was no age restriction. I almost bought one right there, but decided I'd be the more mature person, and realized I probably couldn't get it across the border. The normal prices I'm seeing on Canadian sites is around 400/450. Why the massive price difference? If there really any difference in quality?

Well, the $30US stuff would be shoddy brands that don't really make it into Canada. The Canadian airsoft community really starts with Tokyo Marui, Classic Army and UTG as the minimum acceptable standard for airsofting. We wouldn't touch Crossman and such, because they wouldn't last 5 minutes in Canadian airsoft games. If airsoft were mountain biking, Canadians would be getting into mountain biking with a mountain bike, Americans would be getting into mountain biking sometimes with street bikes or tricycles. It's that big a difference.

7) Any other suggestions I should heed while I save up?

Always keep an eye open for good deals, but becareful of buying stuff that you don't need. Plan ahead, plan smart and try to stick to the plan.