International activities (IPTA)

Courts on the roof of the Tokyo American Club. The Tokyo Tower, the tallest free-standing steel structure in the world, is at the right. The photograph was taken in the 2000s
Courts on the roof of the Tokyo American Club. The Tokyo Tower, the tallest free-standing steel structure in the world, is at the right. The photograph was taken in the 2000s
T-Shirt for participants in the first European Championships
T-Shirt for participants in the first European Championships

Art Houlihan reported in the February edition of the APTA newsletter Paddle Talk:

The pied pipers of paddle have wandered to at least twelve countries outside of the U.S. Canada is, of course, the mainspring of non-U.S. activities with hundreds of players and a full spectrum of tournaments and activities centered around Toronto. Hopefully this year we will be able to provide a better opportunity for Canadian players to participate in U.S. events including our championships.

Ambassador Walter Stoessel brought paddle to Poland and Russia with courts at both embassies. The ever-present Reilly’s sent courts to France, which are now in Switzerland. Without being able to give proper credit, there are also courts in Austria, Bahamas, Bermuda, Germany, Great Britain, Indonesia and Italy.

The courts in Japan atop the American Club deserve some special recognition for ingenuity. The club is located in downtown Tokyo and is a magnificent facility with a wide range of leisure and athletic facilities. On the roof of one wing of the club are three courts, standard except for the screen covering the courts. The screen was presumably erected to keep the balls from flying into the adjacent yard, which, I believe, is the Russian ambassador’s residence. Since many Japanese buildings have golf driving ranges and archery ranges on the roof, paddle fits right in. The ground rules for playing the top wire are still a mystery.

In Europe the principal source of activity is at Bellfires B.Y. in Hapert, Netherlands, which is manufacturing courts and promoting the game throughout Europe. The two courts in the Hapert vicinity were the site of the Dutch Open Championships held November 12, 13, and 14. The Championships included tournaments for Women, Men and Mixed Teams. Transportation for U.S. teams was sponsored by Devoe Systems of New Jersey, which has long been associated with lighting for sports events and is entering both court and paddle production. The U.S. fielded teams in all categories including several ranked players. As facilities and experience accumulate, it is hoped to have several competitions in Europe each year. Closer to home, White Heron in Bermuda will again sponsor a tournament for the eight top ranked teams this season.

As a result of vastly improved media coverage (particular thanks to Fortune’s article “On Your Own Time” (December 1976), inquiries have been received from over twenty countries pertaining to starting the sport or installing facilities. Australia alone produced inquiries from Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, Brisbane and Victoria (Tasmania). As ripples emanate from each pebble we will have more to report on international paddle.

Source: Paddle Talk, Vol. 2. No 3 (February)