However, wind did not stop Tom Henderson (17) and Rhys Dunbar (14) having a quick hit at the top of Signal Hill yesterday to help promote the Otago open this weekend.
Henderson and Dunbar were part of a group of about 60, and earned the right to play the match by winning the 500m race up the hill to the table tennis table.
While the pair had a casual game, the rest of the players crowded around the table to serve as a wind breaker.
The group included eight players from Shanghai, who have been in Dunedin on a cultural interchange programme since Saturday.
Otago Table Tennis Association director of coaching Ben Duffy said the ''wacky'' idea for players to run a small distance up Signal Hill to play table tennis served a couple of purposes.
''I just wanted to do something sort of off the wall,'' he said.
''It's the first time many of these children have met, so it's a bit of an ice-breaker. And secondly, to show our Chinese guests the beautiful scenery of Dunedin.''
Regional and national training camps were also held in Dunedin yesterday, with some of New Zealand's best players involved in the leadup to the Otago open.
A ''strong field'' is expected in the weekend, with 142 players from 10 to about 60 entered. The eight Chinese players, who are aged from 10 to 18, will also compete.
''Having the national and regional camp right before it has been a good way to build for the tournament,'' Duffy said.
''We have got New Zealand's top senior men and women coming, [and] there are at least 80 out of the 142 travelling from outside of Otago.
''Over the past few years, the tournament has built up quite a good reputation as a strong tournament, and this year is probably going to be better than previous years.''
Competition will run between 8.30am and 8pm on Saturday and 8.30am and 1pm on Sunday.
The open finals will be held from 6pm-8pm on Saturday night.
