Hot new sport in Simcoe County invented by father-son duo
What started as an idea while stuck at home during the heart of the pandemic is now a full-blown money-making business for Ben Battaglia of Barrie. 2Pong is a variation of ping pong but with a twist.
"We started picking up unconventional items around the house to start using as paddles, so that turned into like a dumbbell, a balance board, a wooden spoon, different funny things around the house, but we eventually landed on having two paddles on our hands," says Ben from his Home in Barrie.
Ben teamed up with his friend and father, Darick Battaglia. Together they created 2Pong.
The most significant difference between 2Pong and Ping Pong is that you use two hand paddles some of the rules are different too.
"It's been a long road, a lot of prototyping, sampling trying to figure out what works best, what reacts well with the ball until we eventually landed on what we have today, and we're pretty happy with the product," says Ben.
The young entrepreneur has taken to social media to get their product out to the masses, and so far, it's worked. He has loaded several videos on Tik Tok, and it appears that people like what they see.
For Ben's father, Darick, it's not just about creating an idea and generating success. It's all about experience and lessons learned along the way.
"Watching him develop and become a businessman through this program has really been satisfying for me as a dad. It's been wonderful. He's been so great to work with and have a great relationship. Very respectful, and I couldn't ask for anything more," says Darick.
The father-son duo says the game offers a great workout and is easy to play.
They now have an international patent pending and will also donate a portion of their paddle sales to Easter Seals Ontario.
Ben says he plans to give the business a full-time go once he's done university. The Battaglia's say this is just the start for them, and they can't wait to see where it all goes.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6972801.1721660708!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
WATCH LIVE 'We failed,' says Secret Service director grilled on Trump assassination attempt
The director of the Secret Service says the assassination attempt of former President Donald Trump was the agency's 'most significant operational failure' in decades.
Hollywood reacts to Joe Biden exiting the U.S. presidential race
Hollywood was quick to react to the news that U.S. President Joe Biden was ending his bid for re-election and endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris.
What to know about the Canadian ties of Kamala Harris, Biden's choice for successor
U.S. President Joe Biden is stepping aside as the Democratic candidate in that country's November election and throwing his support behind Vice President Kamala Harris -- a Montreal-area high school graduate who spent several years in the city.
Prince George is 11 -- see his birthday photo
Prince George has turned 11, and as per tradition his proud parents have released an official portrait to mark the occasion.
Israel orders evacuation of part of Gaza humanitarian zone as war's toll passes 39,000 Palestinians
The Israeli military ordered the evacuation Monday of part of a crowded area in the Gaza Strip it had designated a humanitarian zone, saying it is planning an operation against Hamas militants there.
Wildfire forces evacuation of B.C.'s Barkerville gold rush heritage site
Visitors have been told to avoid B.C.'s historic Barkerville gold rush town, which is among several areas in the province's Cariboo region under evacuation orders due to the massive Antler Creek wildfire.
LeBron James to be Team USA's male flag bearer for Olympic Opening Ceremony
NBA legend LeBron James has been selected as Team USA’s male flag bearer for the Opening Ceremony of the Paris Olympic Games.
The pilot who died in crash after releasing skydivers near Niagara Falls has been identified
Officials on Sunday released the name of a pilot who died in a skydiving flight after her passengers jumped from the aircraft near the Niagara Falls.
Air Canada cuts 2024 forecast amid tough competition in international markets
Air Canada is lowering its 2024 forecast as it grapples with tough competition in international markets and its planes aren't as full as it anticipated during the second half of the year.