Dear beloved members of the SDTTA and friends. We are at a great loss today. Jock Oubichon, one of our most beloved members, has bid us and this world goodbye. He was one of the biggest hearted and kind individuals I have ever known. There has never been anyone that worked so hard at using a grizzly shield to hide the most gentle teddy bear. Originally from New Orleans, I insisted that he come to San Diego and he and I both agreed that was one of the best decisions he ever made. He loved San Diego and all it had to offer: biking, hiking, fast cars and yes table tennis even though he didn’t get to play as often.

Jock, more than most people I’ve met, enjoyed helping and taking care of people, all kinds of people: young, old, physically disabled and mentally challenged. When I first met him he was a physical therapy tech at Tulane hospital in New Orleans and he loved his job. He worked with injured and elderly persons most of the time. But he also worked with the mentally challenged, teaching basic life skills in addition to volunteering at the children’s hospital aiding kids with cancer. Many in terminal situations where the main goal was to make them laugh one more time. That’s something I could never have the strength to do. He did ask me to go once, the other tech could not make it that day, I declined. Partially joking, I told him “that’s why God put strong people like you on this planet, that’s your job.” And he excelled at it.

When it came to table tennis coaching, Jock was an expert at game and player analysis, stats and strategies. He could see strengths and weakness far better than I could. As a table tennis player, the fastest first step, the heaviest top spin, and next to an Umel he simply had the most powerful forehand I have ever seen of any level. He enjoyed coaching kids, seniors and any adult with a passion for learning table tennis. Many might not know he was one of the original co-founders of the San Diego Jr Table Tennis Team. That first year Jock, Sungill Kim, and Tom Plaisted really helped me get that off the ground with amazing time and effort. He enjoyed every minute. As I have enjoyed every minute of time I have known with him. To everyone that has had their lives enriched and blessed to have known Jock, please don’t repay that with sadness and regret of what is lost. Rather pay that due forward. Help a person in need, soothe someones pain, make a kid laugh, teach a person brand new to the table tennis how to hold a paddle the correct way. This is what Jock would do, this is what Jock did, every day in all of his social groups. And that, will be his legacy. Rest in peace good friend, Ron Spencer *** Update about the remembrance ***

The ART Show will occupy our space starting this Sunday November 2, 2014 and we won’t reopen until Thursday November 13, 2014. Sorry for this inconvenience, but the art show is a good revenue generator for BPAC.  Hope all of you can find some other opportunities to play.
Best Regards,
James Kahn, President SDTTA

Click here to see the hotel’s brochure!

We had a great and very successful tournament on Saturday. Our team included David Flores, Ragu, Chip, Behnam, Bob, Kia, James, Vladimir, Danny, John, Kasra, Suzan, Sahil. We played against Baja and Sorrento teams. All players  showed their skills and sportsmanship in these games. These games will help create new friendships and momentum for better Table Tennis.  I’d like to thank the Sorrento club and Baja team for bringing their players to our club to play. I hope we can arrange for more tournaments in the future. I also like to thank all the people who came early to help set up the tables and barriers. My special thanks goes to Baja coaches Roberto and Juan for running our tournament. Without all the volunteer’s  help we would not have been able to make it. If you like to play in future tournaments please let me know. Behnam Kazemi

Here’s some footage from the semi-final match (in the highest rated event) at the Hunstman 2014 tournament: Ray Mack vs Karl Assenmacher

San Diego Table Tennis Association Board Meeting

October 10th, 2014

Balboa Park Activity Center

  This meeting is open to all members of the SDTTA. Call to order 7:04pm by James. SDTTA Board Members Present: Bob Koch, Behnam Kazemi, John Anderson, Borko Dragojlovic, Mark Adelman and James Kahn. SDTTA Board Member(s) absent: Simon Lee. SDTTA Member(s) Present: D.J. Alto, Jene, Lyndelle and Michele(BPAC rep) Communications not on agenda have a limit of 3 minutes. The motion was made to approve the SDTTA Board Member minutes for August 2014 by Mark and seconded by James. The Board carried the motion. Treasurer’s Report:  None. Webmaster Report/ Daryl Sterling: No report. Membership Report: Our current paid membership count is. Equipment Report: Our current table count is 30. Action Items:

1. Jene discussed having a women’s training group with D.J. Alto. It was brought up by the Board that having D.J. Alto being the trainer would be overkill and maybe an intermediate-skilled player would suffice. Jene will spearhead the project and see how much interest there is.
2. D.J. Alto discussed the progress of the Juniors program and has a good core of 7 kids and as many as 10 have shown up.
3. D.J. Alto was requesting $100 per student for the Juniors group participation. Bob suggested that a flat group fee would work better than a per student rate. After much debate, the Board came up with a monthly compensational fee of $250, with the balance to be paid by the parents. Mark made a motion to set the monthly payment to D.J. Alto at $250 and James seconded the motion. It was passed by the Board with Borko and Behnam abstaining.
4. Michele addressed the Board on the future closing (2015) of the gym for 3 weeks in order for  the floor to be resurfaced. We suggested that the December holiday season would probably work the best for us. She agreed and will suggest this when the time comes to schedule the work.
5. Michele  talked to the Board about the requirements and insurance responsibilities of  anyone wanting to become an independent contractor. She gave all Board members a handout on the BPAC requirements for independent contractors.
6. The Board will submit to BPAC our proposal to have the Club hours change, so that the start time will be the same for all days, which will be 4:00pm. This will only affect Mondays and Fridays. The closing time will remain unchanged.
7. Borko requested that the Board meeting agenda be submitted at least 1 week in advance of the scheduled meeting. This will give members time to research any topic that will be brought up for discussion.

    The motion to adjourn was made by James and seconded by Mark at 9:15pm.   The next meeting is November 11th at 7:00pm.   Respectfully Submitted,   Bob Koch, SDTTA Secretary  

The Baja team is going to be in San Diego on Saturday, the 11th of October to have a friendly match with San Diego team. This is going to start around 9am. If you are interested in competing, please text me at (619) 889-4922. It is a free event and will not affect your rating.    Thanks, Behnam Kazemi