Is table tennis having a moment? Try it for yourself in Charleston

Move aside pickleball, there’s a new racket sport in town.

A person in mid-air hitting a table tennis ball in a large gymnasium. Onlookers are watching, and the blue table is in the middle of the room on a basketball court.

Table tennis was invented in the late 1800s. | Photo via College of Charleston

The nation’s collective interest in table tennis exists in a strange time loop: once every four years, as the Summer Olympic Games roll around, interest in the sport spikes.

Now, with the success of “Marty Supreme,” the game is gaining attention again — no Summer Games required. If you want to get ahead of the curve, grab a paddle and head to one of these local spots:

  • The Hanahan Recreation and Parks Department has playing hours for annual members of any ability on Thursdays from 7 to 10 p.m. and Sundays from 2 to 6 p.m.
  • The City of North Charleston also offers table tennis for adults through its Parks and Recreation Department.
  • Head to Folly Beach’s Sand Dollar Social Club for a taste of old Charleston and a relaxed environment to play. For 50+ years, this cash-only establishment has welcomed locals through its storied doors.

Did we miss your favorite place to play table tennis? Let us know.

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