As I may have mentioned, I’m not terribly sporty, and I have no natural flair for racquet sports of any kind. So why Table Tennis?
I started playing during COVID lock down. My hubby, Kevin is a keen and enthusiastic player and the lockdown meant there was nowhere where he could play. Except our basement. And with me.
At first, we just started hitting with each other. And then, we started playing for points. Table tennis basic rules are easy to understand, and you can play at any fitness level. The equipment (balls and a paddle) are relatively inexpensive. It’s an indoor sport, so weather doesn’t matter. In short, the sport has low barriers to entry. By the time lockdown had eased, I was hooked enough that I wanted to learn to play better, and signed up for lessons.
I love how people of all ages, shapes and sizes, and abilities can play, and be competitive. At the local Senior Center we have some 90-year-olds who are fantastic players. I hope that when I’m their age, I will still be playing (and playing sneaky, diabolical shots.)
I’m an introvert, which means that after a lot of social interaction, I need my alone time to recharge. I’m also quite happy with being alone, and sometimes, Kevin has to remind me, that I need to get out and interact with people. (Introverts need people too.) COVID certainly made me more of a home body than before. I do know that this is something I need to work on. I don’t think it’s healthy to become too reclusive.
With table tennis, I have built in social interaction. We are lucky to have a local Senior Center, and a some clubs within 20 minutes to an hour’s drive away. If I wanted to, I could play every day. It’s wonderful to go. The first time can feel a little awkward. But if you go several times in a row, it’s amazing how quickly you can become a regular.
Tip: Become a regular.
Showing up means you are half way there. I’ve found players to be very welcoming. If you feel awkward showing up alone, take a buddy with you. I’m lucky because with Kevin, I have a built in buddy system. Be honest with other players (and yourself) about your skill level. Because once you start to play, it becomes really obvious what kind of skills you have.
Tip: Take a buddy with you.
Of course, you don’t need to take a buddy with you. Sometimes showing up alone, opens one up to all kinds of experiences we would otherwise not have.
Take advantage of what the club has to offer. Depending on size and structure of the club, different clubs offer different things. Some clubs have websites with all this information. And that’s great. Some are more informal. Some clubs have monthly informal tournaments, some offer leagues, camps (usually aimed at the kiddos) and lessons. If you don’t know, or can’t find this information, don’t be afraid to ask.
Table tennis is great exercise. When I play, I can’t think about anything else. It’s a great stress reliever. I also think as we age, keeping track of the score helps us stay mentally sharp. (In doubles there is the added complication of remembering who serves to who, which can get tricky when you are brain foggy like I am!)
It does take time to build connections. Be patient and kind to yourself. Don’t forget to be friendly and approachable. (I find in new social situations I’m so caught up in my own head that I forget to smile. I look glum.) Put your shoulders back, hold you head high, and smile. (In a natural way. There’s no need to be scary.) Be open to accepting help and receiving advice.
I do hope that you will give table tennis a try. For me, it’s become my happy place. And I hope it will be yours too.
