So, I’ve been wanting to get back into table tennis, you know, ping pong. I used to play a bit in college, nothing serious, but it was fun. And I figured, hey, I need to get out of the house more, maybe meet some new people. So I thought, “Let’s find a table tennis club!” I searched “portland table tennis club”.
First thing, I did a quick search, just to see what was out there. There are seemed to be some options, so that was encouraging.
Checking It Out
I found one with some pretty good reviews and I decided to take my first step and go have a try.
I packed up my old paddle – it’s probably older than some of the people I’d be playing against – and some athletic shoes, and just headed over. I felt a little awkward walking in, I won’t lie. It had been a while since I’d done anything like this. But I figured, everyone starts somewhere, right?
The place was bigger than I expected. Lots of tables, the constant thwack of balls, people of all ages and skill levels. I paid a visitors fee, they usually have it for people who first come, and they just pointed me towards an open table.
The Play Itself
I warmed up a bit, hitting against a wall. My forehand was rusty, my backhand was… well, let’s just say it needed work. After a few minutes, a guy came over and asked if I wanted to play. He looked pretty serious, with one of those fancy paddles that probably cost more than my entire outfit.
We played a few games. He beat me, obviously. Badly. But he was nice about it, gave me some tips. Told me to bend my knees more, keep my eye on the ball, the usual stuff. It was actually really helpful.
Then I played a few other people. Some were closer to my skill level (which, let’s be honest, wasn’t very high). I won a couple, lost a few more. But it was fun! It was good exercise, and everyone was friendly.
My Takeaway
- It’s humbling: Realizing how much I’d forgotten, and how much better other people were, was a good reminder that there’s always room to improve.
- It’s social: Even though I didn’t really talk to that many people, just being around others who were enjoying the same thing was nice.
- It’s a workout: I was definitely sweating by the end of it. More than I expected, honestly.
So, yeah, I’m thinking I’ll go back. Maybe even sign up for a membership. It’s a good way to get some exercise, meet some people, and maybe, just maybe, get my backhand to a point where it’s not completely embarrassing.
