Enjoy one of the fastest, most entertaining sports in the world…Table Tennis. The Miami Table Tennis Club has expanded into Miami Springs and now offers Table Tennis classes for kids and adults of all ages. It’s a fun, family friendly sport that everyone can enjoy.
We spoke with Ramses Gonzalez who runs the organization. Immediately you’ll notice his love and passion for the game. As he reiterated. “It’s all about having fun.” The kids and the parents love this game. And it’s a game for everyone. Regardless of age, gender, or even physical ability. This is a sport that is also popular with the disabled community as it allows them to compete in ways they can’t in other sports.
Mr. Gonzalez explained to us that Table Tennis is a great equalizer. For example, a 300 pound 6’6″ man is going to be a better football lineman than a 5′ 2″ 110 pound woman. But put them on a Table Tennis match and that size advantage is gone. It’s all about reaction time, high speed focus, quick thinking, and technique.
“The project is born from the desire to establish the practice of Table Tennis (popularly known as ‘Ping Pong’) in Miami. At the moment, Table Tennis does not have a place in the city to consolidate the necessary identity for the exercise of the discipline, and the Club is looking to fill that void. This is the main reason why the objective is to continue to develop spaces to share in a healthy and a recreational way. No matter your age, gender or size, Table Tennis is a sport for everyone in the family.”
OLYMPIC SPORT
Did you know that Table Tennis is an Olympic Sport? It was introduced in Seoul, South Korea, during the 1988 Summer Olympics. Watch the speed, quickness, and agility of the world’s best Table Tennis players from the 2020 Olympics in Japan.
Mr. Gonzalez explained to us that “in December 2018, Tomokazu Harimoto, became the youngest player to win the ITTF World Tour Grand Finals at the age of 15 years and 172 days. Current World Champion (2019 Championships in Budapest) is Chinese player Ma Long, who is 31 years old. This year the 2021 World Table Tennis Championship Finals are going to be held in Houston, Texas from November 23rd – November 29th. It marks the first time in history that the championships will be hosted in the Americas.”
The great thing about this sport is that you can be good at it and have fun whether you’re a pre-teen, a parent, or a senior.
Side note: When I was about 20 we bought my dad a folding table tennis. My father’s aunt shows up (she was in her late ’60s at the time). She proceeds to tell us she used to play in Cuba. She’s in her late ’60s so we take it easy on her. Meanwhile, she completely annihilated all of us. I mean, not even close annihilation. Point is practice makes you good. No matter what age.
Of course, the Miami Table Tennis club is designed to introduce the sport to people who have never played. The goal is for people to enjoy the fun that comes with this high speed game. And then enjoy the improvements that come with consistent practice.
Table Tennis has a variety of benefits for those who practice it. In children it is important for psychomotor development, due to the demand for coordinated movements of legs, waists, arms and trunk. There are also psychological benefits, because it demands special concentration, as well as decision-making in fleeting periods of time. For adults, it is a sport that allows its practice throughout life.
Fun and open, the Miami Table Tennis Club is for people of all gender and ages. You will be able to practice and play “PING PONG”, and also meet people with the pleasure of taking a racket to entertain and create links beyond the table.
Growth Opportunities
While the Tennis Club is focused on fun, there are also opportunities for members to join regional tournaments. Plus, this is an Olympic Sport. And believe it or not, exceptional Table Tennis players can earn a scholarship. We researched online and found that “York College of Pennsylvania, Indiana Tech, Loyola University Maryland and 368 other colleges offer up to $10,000 in scholarships for every year of ping pong club.”
How to Get Started with Table Tennis?
Getting started with Table Tennis in Miami Springs is very easy and affordable. You see the first session is absolutely FREE! Mr. Gonzalez informed us that he wants to make sure that the students enjoy it. But as Gonzalez explains, “It’s an addictive game. Once they’re having fun, they’re hooked.”
Class Schedule
Table Tennis is available at the Senior Center Mondays through Thursday from 6:30pm to 8:30pm.
- Youth classes: 6:30 – 7:30
- Adult classes: 7:30 – 8:30
Limited Spots
The Table Tennis Club has 3 tables available at the Senior Center, so spots are limited. Classes are $120 per month and include 2 classes per week. (Family discounts available.) Due to the limited availability, you are urged to contact the table tennis club as soon as possible to register for your fist free session.
Contact Information
To schedule your first free table tennis session, please call / text 786.219.7066.
PHONE: 786.219.7066
EMAIL: info@MiamiTTC.com
WEB: www.MiamiTTC.com
I think the price is exaggerated. “Classes are $120 per month and include 2 classes per week” with 20-30 dollars more you can buy a table.