Table tennis tables resurgence in hotels and offices

Table tennis tables are simple objects. But the very often simple things provide the most pleasure. Now, across the world, table tennis tables are finding massive exposure to potential players in unlikely places.
From humble origins in the UK, the idea of table tennis being a relaxed yet competitive game that anyone could play made it incredibly fashionable in the 1920s.
It began to gain worldwide popularity, played in many countries and today the Chinese dominate the ranks of the elite. But now in the noughties table tennis is finding a new home - in the grounds and corridors of hotels and offices. "We retail quality table tennis tables for indoor and outdoor use," explained Chris Prentis, director of table tennis table retailer Super Tramp Ltd in Devon, UK.
The company sells trampolines and outdoor play equipment, and is seeing a significant resurgence in its tabletennis table sales. "We're finding that our tables are being increasingly purchased by hotels and camping sites, where they can place a fixed outdoor table tennis table on site and allow their patrons to play for free as added value. Our indoor tables can also be located within leisure areas, and for parents they're a much better alternative to playing video games.
"Businesses are also buying table tennis tables to site outdoors as well as in common rooms, which give their staff an active workout during lunch and shift breaks. In the UK the smoking ban allows smokers to have a puff outside while exercising!"
With 18 million Americans already playing table tennis, this growing work outlet for table tennis could see active players increasing exponentially.
Outdoor parks and recreation areas are also considering permanent table tennis tables like Super Tramp's Tornado as low maintenance and highly affordable leisure resource.
The table tennis bats and balls are small and easy to carry or store in a car for an opportunistic game. Watch a space near you to see if a table tennis table appears there!

Steve is a journalist and copywriter.