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Here’s a rather more obscure toy that you might have had for playing in the garden. It was called the Swoosh Ball although I’m sure it had other names too. I have a vague memory of something called a Ripperoo, which may well have been this particular toy.
The Swoosh Ball looks a bit like a plastic rugby ball. It is threaded on to a couple of lengths of cord which have grip handles on each end. Two people each take hold of two of the grips, and the Swoosh Ball is positioned at one end of the strings.
The player starting with the ball at their end can then pull the strings apart quickly to make the ball go shooting along the strings to the other player, who must then do the same thing before the ball reaches their end and crashes into their fingers. Ouch…
I guess the idea was to play a tennis like game, sliding the ball back and forth until one player failed to return it, although apart from getting tired arms I don’t think it would have been that hard to miss sending the ball back, as there wasn’t an awful lot of skill involved it would seem.
Anybody out there remember these? I never had one personally though I do remember seeing them advertised on TV and thinking they were pretty cool at the time. Looking back now I can’t imagine why I thought that…
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I didn’t have one but a friend did. When it smashed into your fingers it was sore so it kind of resembled a game of chicken! Though not quite as interesting! I think that generally we found more interesting things to play with, like pogo sticks and bouncing a tennis ball against the wall.
That’s kind of what I thought about it. Fun for five minutes perhaps, but soon got boring…
That’s kind of toys. Fun for five minutes perhaps, but soon got boring, but i have just played that i have just 5 years old so that i have played with the toys. Thanks for the sharing memories will come again.
I had one when i was a kid and had alot of fun with it. i would like to find one for my kids does anyone know where i can find it at.What store?
Yes and I have been trying to buy one in uk, for my grandson to use for physio, anyone know where I can get on please?
Yes I had one of these used to have great fun with my cousins.
Shop in Croydon called Tiger have been told they sell them.
Hi ,
I have been looking for this toy for ages I found it on 80’s toys site.. we use to take this to the beach when I was younger, we stayed on the beach all day back in those days. Our family had just the best time and laughed so much playing with it. I have to say that it did hurt when it was pushed down the strings very fast and smacked your knuckles but that was the part when you either cried or laughed.. can anyone pls tell me where I can buy this toy again I would love to create the memory with my sons.
I found one at the store, five below.
The package calls it “Rocket Ball”.
I just found the original at goodwill yesterday I played with it as well my brother had one I can’t wait to play it again it was fun and great memories
I used one in rehab when I injured my shoulder. It worked great for helping to build up those muscles again.