Green Lake Table Tennis Club
Whatever you do, don’t call it ping pong. The Green Lake Table Tennis Club is SO much more.
On Saturday and Sunday afternoons the Green Lake Community Center gym is filled with the ‘tick and tock’ of hundreds of ping pong balls punted back and forth from one of 16 tables. The group, which fluctuates between 20 – 60 players draws all ages (some as young as 7 years old) from Green Lake, Seattle’s Central District, Lynnwood even Port Orchard and beyond.
“This is an underground group of devoted afficiandos,” said Thomas Veatch, a 13+ year GLTTC player and Saturday kid’s coach. “Here everyone is welcoming – more than any club I’ve been to. It provides a great learning space.”
19-year old Eric Pattison co-teaches with Veatch. He’s headed to Barcelona next month to compete in the 2014 Spanish Open Para ITTF Tournament.
Watching the group play, it’s clear they have fun (and are a little competitive). As Eric plays an informal round with partner Tom Hanlon he slams the wheels of his wheel chair down on the ground for a bit of intimidation. It works, they win the round – giving high fives and waving their paddles in the air.
Looking around the gym, all levels, ages and abilities are playing the sport. A group of 7 year-olds play until a mom comes to pick up one of the boys. A father-son duo volley back and forth in lighting fast speed while another pair on the other side of the gym occasionally over swings and chases a stray ball down the gym hallway.
The group meets year-round and is open to the public – especially new players.
Saturdays: 5 – 9 pm
Sundays: 4 – 9 pm
Kid Pong!
Saturdays 5:15-6:30pm
8-14 year olds. For other ages, bring a friend or parent.
Cost: Coaching is free. GL gym fee is $5 (lets you play till 9pm).
Green Lake Community Center
7201 E Green Lake Dr N
Seattle, WA 98115
(206) 684-0780
info @ glttc.com
http://www.glttc.org
Photos by Mike Lemmon
