Dec. 3, 2011: Recently I was told by Andrea after he borrowed my racket for a couple of evenings... "You're all racket" as he had great success with my Butterfly racket and fancy rubber sheets. He said now I know why you play so well the racket does all the work. I know he was overstating and was somewhat joking but made me reflect on how I got in to this sport and my first paddle.
When I first was introduced to the game of ping pong
Recent photo of Boyd Bennett racket suitcase. Now with assorted rackets for all comers. it was during a summer playground program in the 5th grade at Inlet View Elementary School. I would see others play this game among other activites like board games, four square and arts and crafts. The elementary school normally did not have a ping pong table but the 6th grade class room was transformed to a hub of activity for the Parks and Recreation Summer Playground program. The table was front and center and active with kids all the time. I did not have my own paddle so I grabbed what ever was available. I would carefully choose the paddle with the most attached rubber. As some of you readers may be familiar that community paddles can get lots of wear and tear. And young people are rough on equipment. I had no idea on strokes, strategy or gamesmanship. But the excitement of just getting the ball back in play was what made the game fun. No wicked topspin loop drive or heavy underspin chop to throw at my opponent. Just the basic "wall" style punch blocking backhand and occational awkward forehand what-ever shot.
It was not until I moved to middle school in 1971 did I see other people
Andy checks out the collection in Eagle River. play the game at a more competitive level. One student, Steve Malarvie was a player. I was in 7th grade and he was a 9th grader. Back then the Middle school had all 3 grades 7th to 9th. He was a flamboyant, loud and cocky player and was considered to be one of the top junior players at the school and maybe Alaska. He had is own racket and case to store it in. And since the Arctic Winter Games was in 1972, he made the on the Alaska team the following year.
By then my neighbors the Deegan's had a basement ping pong table. I would go there and bat the ball in the confined spaces of the family room with the infamous furnace housing on one end and the steel beam support post just to the right of the net. Yet the other side had plenty of space! Except for the dreaded foot rest ottoman. That low to the ground obstical would trip you up when you would dive for that wide shot to the left. These home settings created "House Rules" like no sharp angles to the steel post and shots off the ceiling where still in play! Forcing you to become a blocker quick as there was no room to back up.
My friend Mike had the "Mark V" on his Yasaka racket. When Mike was not playing the paddle would be up for grabs and if available I would use it against his brother Gary. It would almost garerntee extra points for the extra spin the Mark V would produce. Shiny red rubber on both sides with the blazing yellow letters on the edge table "MARK V MARK V MARK V". 
He got the paddle from JC Penneys. I would go there to look at the fancy line of now historical Signature Yasaka line up of Stellen Bengston, Hans Alser and Kjell Johannson models. All sporting 2.0mm Stiga Mark V red rubber. I could not afford the fancy racket so I had to settle for the Ikitsu at about half the price. I had a paper route to earn money but most of it was spent on ice hockey sticks. That was my true love back then as I spent more time on the ice and table tennis was a hobby.
Then the following year I attended a table tennis exhibition at the Sports Arena. A large quonset hut structure formally an airplane hanger on Fireweed Lane. Now known as Arctic Office Supply. This was where the Wolverines ice hockey team played. Opponents like the First National Bank Blades, the Hohn City Plumbers and Cheveron Stars sponsored adult hockey teams. If you know the current Alaska Aces. Those teams were the equivalant of the NHL of Anchorage back then. This table tennis demo was held center ice right where the puck would drop at faceoff. White board were placed down to cover the ice just in the center ending at both blue lines. A single Nissen Table Tennis Table was in the middle of center ice. At both ends as backstops was a row of folding metal chairs covered with black visqueen about 30 feet back! I remember fast storkes, smashing, lobbing, quick spins and the reaction from the crowd for the athletic action. i watched through the chain link fencing that surrounded the rink. No plexiglass back then. And it was cold too. 
Then afterward the locals were seeking autographs. I was not familier with any top national or international celebrities of the sport. People brought blank rackets and had the players sign the surface of the blade. Who were these players? Where were they from? Did people play table tennis like this in town? Only did I found out recently that the players were brough up here to Alaska by Mr. O'Malley. A group of players were traveling around North America performing exhibitions. More in the History of U.S. Table Tennis by Tim Boggan.
Then I starting getting serious. Ok, I actually got a racket with Mark V rubber. I purchased the Kjell Johannson signature model from JC Penny. I have to confess I switched the price tag and got the Yasaka racket for the price of the Ikisu! Over the years I would vent my frustration by slapping the racket on my thigh. Eventually cracking the neck of the paddle on several of the blades. Never got serious coaching but had my own racket. My mom even made me a custom blue racket case. Had to expand it to hold two rackets too. Still have it to this day 35 years later.
In 1976 I was selected to represent Alaska at the Arctic Winter Games in Shefferville, Quebec Canada. Boyd Bennett was my coach with teammates: David Evans and Doug Wolliver. Back then there were 3 junior boys, 3 junior girls, 3 adult men and 3 adult women. I was honored to take 2 silver metals and one bronze.
These days I am the local table tennis equipment provider for players who seek a new racket, rubber sheets, balls and accessories. There is someone like me in every club. Before me it was my former coach, Boyd Bennett. He is now 83 years old and has passed on the reigns to me back in 1980 when I took over the Anchorage Table Tennis club while attending UAA. Boyd woiuld bring the suit case to practice days, leave the case open and we could thumb though the various blades, rubber types and sometimes even tryout out a racket or too. He had some pre assembled custom rackets by Butterfly and Stiga. Not a big of a selection as there is today. We played at the Government Hill Parks and Recreation Center just next to the Curling Club.
Today I sell table tennis rackets and equipment and put the proceeds back in to the Anchorage TT club. I purchase tables, balls and equipment. Host tournaments, perform exhibitions and promote the sport by attending local schools and instructing and educate young people about the rules and fun of the sport. I have been fortunate to pass on the love of the game to all levels of players from beginners to the seasoned pro.
There is another whole new crop of new young players who will be investing in their own first table tennis racket. I am honored to provide the insight to new eager players who want to improve and learn more about this exciting game. Just last week I delivered a new custom racket to a 16 year old who is real excited about trying it out for the first time. I told him I would toss in a couple of hours of instruction to sharpen up his game and then told him it is not about the racket... it is about the strokes, love and passion of the game. The racket is a tool but does not grant success with a fancy paddle. Practice, patience and experience will pay off for inprovement in the sport. Keep on spinning.
more to come shortly.