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Franck
Raharinosy

A filmmaker, entrepreneur, and table tennis aficionado, Franck Raharinosy has worked in a number of fields over the years.

Before becoming one of the most recognized faces in the ping-pong business, Franck Raharinosy of New York City trained as a lawyer and grew to prominence working in the entertainment and Hospitality industries. Founding SPiN New York in 2009 with three business associates, Franck and his partners fused ping-pong with nightlife entertainment to create one of the city’s most innovative hangouts. A native of Madagascar, Franck Raharinosy moved to the French island of La Reunion off the coast of Madagascar when he was 14 years old. Franck went on to study law and business at the local university, the Ecole de Gestion et de Commerce de la Reunion. Working with partners Jonathan Bricklin, Andrew Gordon, and Susan Sarandon, Franck Raharinosy created SPiN New York—a 13,000-square-foot underground space where ping-pong tables stand side by side with a bar, restaurant, and DJ station. In keeping with tournament-style tables and rules, Franck’s SPiN New York includes Olympic-quality playing surfaces and a prominent center court. Read more at www.spinyc.com.


Franck Raharinosy's Publications

  • Ping-Pong Tips-Part I: The Basics, Franck Raharinosy
    July, 2010
    After discovering table tennis at a friend’s birthday gathering, entrepreneur and filmmaker Franck Raharinosy formed a regularly occurring ping-pong party that attracted many of entertainment’s most celebrated names such as Owen Wilson and Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson. If your familiarity with table tennis does not extend beyond knowing how to hit the ball with a paddle, start with these basic tips to get a handle on the world’s most popular racket sport.

    Dress comfortably:

    You will not be running back and forth across a full court while playing table tennis, but the close proximity of both players coupled with the energy required to serve and return the ball usually results in a good deal of perspiration. Wear socks with comfortable sneakers, shorts, and a loose-fitting shirt.

    Learn the rules:

    Familiarize yourself with the rules in order to understand the basic types of serves and returns, the different ways to score points, as well as how to contest mishaps caused by yourself or your opponent.

    Learn techniques:

    Ask a friend who is knowledgeable in the sport about techniques such as the smash, block, chop, drive, and spin. Choose one and learn it well, then move on to another. If no one is around to help you practice, scoot your table against a wall and bat the ball back and forth using a single technique until you can perform it without thinking.

    Mix up techniques:

    Rarely does a single tactic carry a ping-pong player to victory. After you have spent time learning the game’s many techniques, practice mixing them up during play. It will expand your versatility, as well as keep your opponent guessing as to what you will do next.

    Concentrate:

    Ping-pong action is typically fast and furious, so never divert your attention from the game. When playing ping-pong, it is important to watch the ball as well as your opponent’s racket: the set of your opponent’s racket is often an indicator as to which serve or return he or she will use.

    Practice:

    If you want to become proficient at anything, you must practice. Table tennis is no exception.