Table Tennis Coaching Clinic Recently Held in Santa Cruz, CA
July 31, 2008

Back row: Y. J. Kim, Gabe Katz, Zhang Li, Conrad Solorio, Jim Langley, Daniel Goodwin, David Rudesill, Gjon Feinstein. Front row: Li Zhen Shi, Craig Mitchell, Nan Li, Gil García, Mickey Boyle, Thuytien Goodwin, Max Copperman, Harold Lindsey, Stefan Feth, Stephen Pollard. Kneeling at table: Richard Williams, Ray Tseng.

By Jim Langley

The Santa Cruz, California Table Tennis Club recently hosted a coaching clinic with 4-time World Champion Li Zhen Shi, 4-time World Champion Zhang Li, former German National Team Member and World Class player/coach Stefan Feth, as well as US Women's National Team Member, Nan Li. Founded in 1992, and located not too far from the historic Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, the SCTTC has put on a couple of USATT tournaments over the years and has about 40 enthusiastic members including 3 USATT-certified coaches and one former national champion. Yet, this was the first time the club has entertained World Champions and professional players of Stefan Feth and Nan Li's stature.

The clinic, which ran from 7 - 10 p.m. made for an exciting and full evening as everyone wanted to meet the coaches and get as much help as possible with their games. We received cutting-edge instruction and practice on the ready position, basic strokes, forehand and backhand looping, service and service return and game strategy, and ended the night with a fun match between Stefan and David Rudesill, the club's top player - the entire club crowded around the table applauding the high-level play.

We'd like to thank the coaches for sharing their expertise and helping everyone improve their games so quickly with all the awesome tips and training, and we look forward to seeing them again. If you're traveling to the Santa Cruz area, we'd enjoy having you come play at our club. Please visit the Santa Cruz Table Tennis Club website for more information.