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About
PongPlanet
PongPlanet is a full-time Table Tennis Club. We offer the highest quality courts, equipment and instruction in the area, along with a variety of programs for adults and juniors of all abilities. Many of our programs help ensure a constant progression of competitive and recreational players, as well as the opportunity to engage in leagues and tournament play.

We also have open play hours for those interested in doing their own thing, or just enjoying the social camaraderie of our club. For serious players or fitness enthusiasts, we offer Private coaching lessons and robot training. For fun-lovers, we facilitate Birthday Parties & Corporate Events themed around Ping Pong. During holiday breaks, we offer table tennis camps for kids.
Founded in 2012
Our Staff

Daniel Kim

Before moving to the Bay Area, Daniel worked as a full-time coach in the MJ International Club. He also played competitively and was an elite member of World Table Tennis Club in Korea. Daniel has experience in personal training and conditioning and holds a bachelor degree in Accounting/Finance Texas Christian University.

Daniel believes a coach’s philosophy towards teaching is as important as his skillset. As a coach, Daniel is capable of breaking down complex techniques into bite-sized pieces so even a beginner can execute them without feeling overwhelmed. He tries to help them leave with a sense of accomplishment at the end of the day, which he ultimately believes will help them stay engaged with the sport. He spends a great amount of time critically observing and analyzing professional players and his students to keep up with new techniques and game strategies, as well as teaching methods.

Career Highlights:

Training under Korean national players and Chinese National Players

Invited and played in Shanghai International Club

2016 YoungNam Donic/Tagro Open – 1stplace in Men’s singles and teams

2016 91stBusan Yeonhab Competition – 3rdplace in Men’s singles

2016 92stBusan Yeonhab Competition – 1stplace in Men’s singles

2016 21stBusan Competition – 1stplace in Men’s singles

2016 28thBusan North Region Competition – 3rdplace in Men’s singles

2017 22ndBusan Competition – 1stplace in Men’s singles

2018 1stYangSan Open – 2ndplace in Men’s singles, 1stplace in Men’s Teams

Honors & Awards

PongPlanet is the new avatar of the legendary 'Palo Alto Table Tennis Club'  (PATTC) with a 24 year history in the Bay Area. For decades, PATTC was the only premier table tennis club in the region, with no parallel. PATTC has produced several national level talents over the years including Olympian April Hsing and Lily Zhang who represented Team USA in London 2012. When the opportunity came, PATTC decided to convert to a full-time operation in San Carlos starting this Sep 2012 and morph into 'PongPlanet'.  Our 9600 sf facility houses international competition grade tables, professional Table Tennis flooring, excellent tournament level lighting, 18 foot high ceilings, barrier-enclosed courts, air-conditioning, two private party rental rooms, a Pro Shop, free Parking and free Wi-Fi. And last but not the least, we have some of the finest coaches in the area, with a proven track record with producing world-class players.

Summer Camp Guide 2023
Tax ID (EIN): 45-5437973
Location
Contact PongPlanet
Reviews
4.5 (12)
(Table Tennis & Chess Summer Camps)
September 2, 2022 - Huangming Xie
Verified Purchase
My 11-year-old son had a wonderful time at the camp, and became super interested in both table tennis and chess. Before sending him to the camp, we just wanted to give him exposure to all sports. We were pleasantly surprised that he was super enthusiastic with table tennis.

Every day at pick-up time, he was reluctant to leave, and I played with him for another hour before he was willing to head home. He coached me and taught me many techniques that he learned during the camp -- clearly he learned so much during the day! After arriving at home, he played pingpong against the wall for another one to two hours until he was soaked with sweat.

He had lots of respect for the coaches and advanced players, which I found surprising, because he was never easily impressed by anyone. The coaches were clearly inspiring.

He also improved a great deal on chess, and had lots of respect for the chess coach. Now he beats me easily in chess games. I am just so amazed how much he has improved.

We plan to send him back for private lessons and for future camps. We are absolutely pleased with the camp.
(Table Tennis & Chess Summer Camps)
August 5, 2022 - Caitlin Kaufman
Verified Purchase
This camp was NOT as advertised. It is a table tennis camp. They do not “live and breathe table tennis and chess for 6-8 hours per day.” Table tennis is 4.5 hours today and chess is only played if you pay an additional cost for the 3-5pm class. The kids had fun playing table tennis though.
PongPlanet
August 5, 2022
Thanks for your feedback. We have included full information about what the schedule look like daily. Under "Itinerary" you will see the detailed description "9:00AM-12:00PM Morning training session, kids will learn and practice all the fundamental strokes from professional coaches. Multi-ball training, group play, one-on-one coaching, fun ping pong games and physical training included.
12:00PM-1:30PM Lunch break and free play time.
1:30PM-3:00PM Afternoon training session, kids will keep practicing and playing some fun ping pong games led by professional coaches.
3:00PM-5:00PM Chess Class led by a National Expert Chess Coach." ActivityHero page does require you to click "Itinerary" to read the details. We believe we did our best to accommodate your son and his two friends' needs and requests.
Caitlin Kaufman
August 5, 2022
Unfortunately, the itinerary does not explain that afternoon “match play” is just ping pong, and not chess match play.
(Table Tennis & Chess Summer Camps)
July 20, 2022 - Niharika Kamat
Verified Purchase
My child liked the camp overall, they taught good techniques of the game. The chess part is additional cost and not 50/50 split for chess / ping pong. Chess is only 2 hrs in the afternoon. My child did complain that at least the 1-2 times they stayed for chess, they never really played with a partner or even on the board. They seemed to be playing games on a drawing board like puzzles.
PongPlanet
July 20, 2022
Thanks for your feedback. We are glad to hear that your child enjoyed playing ping pong and we believe he can benefit from this fun lifetime sport. For the chess part, we do have the schedule description clearly mention the hours for table tennis and chess. We will share your honestly feedback with our chess instructor and continuously improve our services.
FAQ's
Is PongPlanet worth it?
Parents recommend PongPlanet and the average rating is 4.5 out of 5. Overall, the reviews indicate that PongPlanet provides engaging and enjoyable experiences for children.
What ages can go to PongPlanet?
PongPlanet has camps, classes and birthday parties for children for all ages. Age-appropriate activities are designed to engage and inspire children at different developmental stages.
Questions & Answers
The chess class is from 3pm-5pm so kids can learn and play chess for 2 hours. Table Tennis is from 9am-3pm including a lunch break from 12pm-1:30pm. Does this mean chess occurs during extended care hours? To sign up for chess do we just sign up for extended care? (Table Tennis & Chess Summer Camps) -
asked on Jun 15, 2022
Jun 15, 2022 - JAMES GUO
Hi, thanks for your question. If you plan to pick up your kid at 5pm, and you already signed up for 3pm-5pm chess, you don't need extended care. The extended care is from 5pm-6pm. -
Will you consider running this in San Francisco next year? For some reason there is no ping pong here and I think a lot of kids would love to play. My kids LOVE the game and i know others would too if the opportunity existed. Thanks (Table Tennis Summer Camps) -
asked on Jul 25, 2021
Aug 13, 2021 - JAMES GUO
Thanks for asking! Currently, we don't have any plan to run the ping pong camps in the city. I hope things will change and we will have the opportunity in the future. -
How much of the day do kids get to play chess? How much is dedicated to table tennis? (Table Tennis & Chess Summer Camps) -
asked on Jun 22, 2021
Jun 23, 2021 - JAMES GUO
The chess class is from 3pm-5pm so kids can learn and play chess for 2 hours. Table Tennis is from 9am-3pm including a lunch break from 12pm-1:30pm. -
What is you mask policy for the Dec 28-30, 2020 camp session? (2020 Winter Break Table Tennis Camps)
asked on Dec 14, 2020
Dec 14, 2020 - JAMES GUO
Hi Tiffany, thanks for your questions! For the ping pong camp, we require everyone who enters the facility must to wear a face mask including our coaches. We clean and sanitize the equipment frequently and keep hand sanitizer handy for kids to use. Also, there will be no one else in the 3000sqft training room beside only 4-6 kids and the coach. Our business is currently closed to the public, we only offered the camp for kids and limited services for our existing private students. -