Paddle Out: Governors Island Hosts Tourney

Table tennis just doesn't get the respect it deserves. At least not in the U.S. But that could change if the folks behind Recess, the epic Super Lawn Series hosted on Governors Island this summer, have their way.

On Saturday, day two of the hotly contested games takes place, with that stalwart of lunchrooms, Thai sex shows and seedy '70s basements: ping-pong.  On the lush greenery of the newly restored NYC playground that is Governors Island, 32 teams will be competing for the finals, but there will also be tables available for the less competitive to try their hands at the sport.

Paddles will be covered in sandpaper to equalize competition between players of various skill levels. This works for reasons you should ask your high school physics teacher about if they are not immediately clear.

Van Leeuwen ice cream will be prompting another competition in this August heat wave: Can you eat your cone before it melts? And those with poor hand-eye coordination can ditch the tables to fly a kite or take the new Biomega bike from Puma for a spin around the park.

Last month the series hosted a heated badminton tourney, and September will welcome legions of bocce ballers to the grounds.