Uberpong: Revolutionizing Ping Pong in Austin and Around the World

This guest blog article is by Rachael Edwards.

Many people are unaware that ping pong is the second most popular sport in the world. Most of us do know that it may also be the most visually unappealing game out there.

That was the case until Uberpong came onto the scene right here in Austin. And it’s literally changing the face of the game forever.

 

Changing the Face of Ping Pong a Paddle at a Time

Uberpong started out as an Origin of Cool Kickstarter project. The project quickly exceeded the original funding goal of $10,000 in August 2012, which helped launch Uberpong three months later in November. Let’s face it, the second most popular sport in the world shouldn’t be resigned to black and red paddles, right? That just ain’t gonna cut it, especially not in a city like Austin.

Uberpong changed the game by personalizing and customizing the heart of the game: the ping pong paddle.

Graphic designers from around the nation, including Austin, are working with Uberpong to create unique designs that fly in the face of convention and bring a previously unknown flair to the game. Their fiery, feisty and fun designs are then printed onto the face of the ping pong paddle.

 

The designs help to create not only a sense of style, but also to encourage conversation and propel a sense of friendly competition and camaraderie in this wildly popular sport.

“Our mission is to make ping pong the most played sport in the USA…and the world. And paddles are only the beginning.” -Dave Lowe, Uberpong CEO

The image of ping pong players wearing headbands, tight white shorts and using boring black and red paddles doesn’t exactly get the heart racing. Unless, of course, you like athletes in tighty-whities. So shortly after moving to Austin from England (the home of table tennis), Dave Lowe founded OriginOfCool.com, which launched Uberpong.

Recognizing the creative atmosphere that is embodied in Austin, and deciding that it was the ideal place to launch his ping pong revolution, Lowe took a leap of faith. After all, Austin is full of creatives, hip professionals and great venues. If Uberpong was going to revolutionize the sport, there was no other city as perfectly matched as Austin.

How Does Uberpong Work?

By creating or working with designers to create original designs, Uberpong transforms mundane, traditional paddles into works of art. The designs are printed onto rubber, which is affixed to handcrafted Uberpong paddles.

“The paddles are an extension of you and your individual style.” -Dave Lowe, Uberpong CEO

When you use high-quality woodworking to create paddles of excellence, and combine that with an advanced printing technique and one-of-a-kind designs from gifted designers, you end up with more than a paddle. We’re talking about 1000 DPI images, which gives photographic quality to the work. The possibilities are endless.

Uberpong Is More than Designer Ping Pong Paddles

Founder Dave Lowe aimed to not only revolutionize the standard ping pong paddle, but to apply the idea for a novel purpose. He saw Uberpong as a method by which brands could host creative team building events. After all, ping pong is a cool and hip way to hang out with friends, so why not extend the fun to team building? Lowe cast the vision, and brands have responded. Some of the top businesses in the nation have reached out to start their own Uberpong-sponsored events.

The word is spreading quickly. Uberpong was recently featured on EXTRATV:

Uberpong in Austin, Texas

Deliberately joining forces with some of the hippest bars and venues to host ping pong events, Uberpong is infusing the game of table tennis with a different vibe. They’ve been working diligently to build an Austin community around a love for ping pong, and events are popping up frequently around town.

If you want to see what all the hype is about, the next event is Sunday, March 3rd. It’s called the Red and Black Rebellion. Check it out and get to know the folks at Uberpong. Play a game or two with them, win some prizes, drink a few beers and prepare to experience community in a vastly different way.

If you are interested in learning more, you can check out Uberpong.com for the most current events in the Austin area.

Rachael is an Austin native who has an infinite love for her hometown. She’s a self-proclaimed lover of dogs, yoga, photography, vegetarian meals, and hot weather. Psychology major slash fashionista. You can usually find her eating queso near the lake, surrounded by good friends and her loyal companion Cookie, a two year old golden retriever. Follow Rachael on Twitter at @rachaeledwards.