Making the most out of matkot

The chair which also holds matkot paddles for ultimate fun on a Tel Aviv beach

Israelis love playing matkot. It’s like table tennis without a table. And a hard small black ball like a squash ball. It makes an annoying sound at the beach but you can get used to it along with Israelis playing in their underwear which they think you won’t notice.

It’s like a national sport.

Updating the old game is Groovy: designers Danit & Yinnon Simhi. There is no mention about the paints and processes in creating this chair featured abobe, but we think it has a “green feel,” mainly because of its multifunctionality: a funky beach chair and matkot game all rolled into one.

Or how about a chair made from matkot balls?

Matkot ball chair

There is nothing like the combination of words retro and active to describe the activities of Danit and Yinnon Simhi, the couple operates under the name of ‘Groovy.’

These young designers turn their years of collecting into a real profession using their artistic talent and their imagination to bring old and new things to life. Most of the new products designed and manufactured by Groovy, and infused with humor, and are realized as surprising new designs and images.

They have a retro/recycled line, and even a line made from wood which includes a wooden scooter.

The studio is based in Tel Aviv and we are looking forward to posting many more of their creations.

Author: Karin Kloosterman

Karin Kloosterman is an award-winning journalist, innovation strategist, and founder of Green Prophet, one of the Middle East’s pioneering sustainability platforms. She has ranked in the Top 10 of Verizon innovation competitions, participated in NASA-linked challenges, and spoken worldwide on climate, food security, and future resilience. With an IoT technology patent, features in Canada’s National Post, and leadership inside teams building next-generation agricultural and planetary systems — including Mars-farming concepts — Karin operates at the intersection of storytelling, science, and systems change. She doesn’t report on the future – she helps design it. Reach out directly to [email protected]