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Original poster

Does anyone/anyone's DC do cubing comps?

34 replies

Bemyclementine · 13/02/2023 14:29

Dc1 wants to go to one, not to spectate but to compete. He is pretty good at solving 2x2 and 3x3 cubes, but not in the sane league as speedcubers! Plus, he's 7...

I'd prefer him to go to spectate but he's set on competing.

I'd be really grateful to hear from anyone with experience!

OP posts:
Original poster
Bemyclementine · 13/02/2023 17:29

Bump!

OP posts:
moretea · 18/02/2023 14:45

I don't have experience of the comps yet, but looking at the WCA site for an upcoming comp, it looks like a third of competitors are first timers. It also says most competitors are age 10 to 20 but there are those younger & older. The site gives time limits for each event which are very generous and they encourage that if you can solve in that time, you're fast enough to enter. If you'd be going anyway to spectate and don't mind paying the registration fee it's probably worth having a go for the experience.

theoldhasgone · 18/02/2023 15:30

Lots of experience in our family. Definitely go, and he should definitely compete! It is a very very friendly and supportive atmosphere - no one really expects to win except the 'professionals', most people are there for fun, to geek out with fellow cubers and to get their personal best if possible. There are no age categories as far as I know and teenagers are usually the best as they have nimble fingers.

A few tips from a fellow mum: take something to do/read, take a ton of snacks and food as there often isn't much food nearby (depends on venue), if you take younger siblings be prepared to entertain them in a pretty basic venue too.

Get him to practice on the special timers they use if he doesn't have one already, and take all the cubes he has. Take cash as there are sometimes vendors there with tshirts, cubes, etc.

Original poster
Bemyclementine · 18/02/2023 17:25

@moretea thanks, I read all that abd thought well why not so he's registered. It's a bit overwhelming though! The Libcs one isn't that far from us so would be silly to miss it I guess! He does have the timing thing.

OP posts:
Rollinghill · 18/02/2023 17:28

No, but that sounds awesome, my Ds would love it!

Original poster
Bemyclementine · 18/02/2023 17:29

@theoldhasgone thank you! I may well have his younger sibling who can't yet solve a cube, abd probably wouldn't be interested if his brother wasn't.

My worry I'd the way they scramble - when ds got his time he practiced for ages, then told me he'd got 1min 51 seconds. I didn't believe him, so I gave the cube a really good (but totally random) scramble and he then did it in 1min 36. He has done a few sub 1min solves. I realise these are way off lots of competitors, and worry that somehow the scrambles will be too hard for him?

OP posts:
Original poster
Bemyclementine · 18/02/2023 17:30

@theoldhasgone is it fairly welcoming when you get there as a newbie?

OP posts:
theoldhasgone · 18/02/2023 17:36

Bemyclementine · 18/02/2023 17:29

@theoldhasgone thank you! I may well have his younger sibling who can't yet solve a cube, abd probably wouldn't be interested if his brother wasn't.

My worry I'd the way they scramble - when ds got his time he practiced for ages, then told me he'd got 1min 51 seconds. I didn't believe him, so I gave the cube a really good (but totally random) scramble and he then did it in 1min 36. He has done a few sub 1min solves. I realise these are way off lots of competitors, and worry that somehow the scrambles will be too hard for him?

I don't think it works that way, in terms of some scrambles being hard? Just asked my DH and he agrees - not really a thing.

Original poster
Bemyclementine · 18/02/2023 17:39

Thanks, I really have no idea!

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theoldhasgone · 18/02/2023 17:40

Bemyclementine · 18/02/2023 17:30

@theoldhasgone is it fairly welcoming when you get there as a newbie?

I think it is welcoming, yes. It is welcoming in a fairly geeky young bloke way - they give you your lanyard or whatever and will show you where to go and answer questions, but they aren't going to ask you a lot of personal questions. Everyone is very task / cubing focused, not super into social niceties! But there is absolutely NOTHING about it that feels actually unwelcoming, if that makes sense - no one sneering or being jerks or anything. Ever.

If you watch some competitions online you can see how it works and talk him through the way the set up works (although they will do that, it sort of takes a few goes at explaining for that age, I think) . I'll see if I can find a link.

theoldhasgone · 18/02/2023 17:44

I didn't watch this whole video but it looks useful.

Original poster
Bemyclementine · 18/02/2023 17:48

Thank you! He watches comeps on YouTube all the time but I think its just solves he watches. We'll watch that together tonight.

OP posts:
FatSealSmugSoup · 18/02/2023 17:50

Do you have a link to these please? The competitions I mean. I’ve got a cuber doing it in 31 seconds 🤯 and he wants to compete.

theoldhasgone · 18/02/2023 17:52

He'll probably be familiar with the procedures then - they put a box over the cube at first, they use a special timer (if he doesn't have one get him one), etc.

Tons and tons of kids go and compete, many younger than him, so he'll slot right in. He might be allowed to judge after he has watched a few rounds.

Get there in good time to bagsy seats at a table and don't abandon it! Leave jackets on chairs etc to show it is taken.

theoldhasgone · 18/02/2023 17:53

FatSealSmugSoup · 18/02/2023 17:50

Do you have a link to these please? The competitions I mean. I’ve got a cuber doing it in 31 seconds 🤯 and he wants to compete.

www.ukca.org/ look here first

Original poster
Bemyclementine · 18/02/2023 17:57

@theoldhasgone thank you so much!

@FatSealSmugSoup it's mind boggling isn't it? They seem to have a 10 minute time limit.

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theoldhasgone · 18/02/2023 17:58

Bemyclementine · 18/02/2023 17:29

@theoldhasgone thank you! I may well have his younger sibling who can't yet solve a cube, abd probably wouldn't be interested if his brother wasn't.

My worry I'd the way they scramble - when ds got his time he practiced for ages, then told me he'd got 1min 51 seconds. I didn't believe him, so I gave the cube a really good (but totally random) scramble and he then did it in 1min 36. He has done a few sub 1min solves. I realise these are way off lots of competitors, and worry that somehow the scrambles will be too hard for him?

My DH also says those times are good enough to compete. Again, with no expectation of winning, just the taking part, which is totally great for them.

If you compete in a few UK ones and have a good enough time, you are allowed to apply for European and World events, which is good fun.

Original poster
Bemyclementine · 18/02/2023 17:59

He doesn't expect to win, he's very familiar with the winning times. I hope he enjoys it, his peers at school think he's weird for like things different to them. 🙄

OP posts:
theoldhasgone · 18/02/2023 18:00

Also, make sure to buy him a proper speedcube, not a Rubiks brand cube - they are very slow and clunky to turn.

Original poster
Bemyclementine · 18/02/2023 18:01

He has a number of different cubes , including rubiks. I think he has moyu (??) and Gan. He wants to do 2x2, 3x3 and pyraminx

OP posts:
theoldhasgone · 18/02/2023 18:04

Bemyclementine · 18/02/2023 17:59

He doesn't expect to win, he's very familiar with the winning times. I hope he enjoys it, his peers at school think he's weird for like things different to them. 🙄

Well, it is genuinely moving and beautiful to see a lot of fairly obviously neurodivergent-and-proud people who have found their tribe. I love it for them.

The Speed Cubers documentary on Netflix is beautiful. Watch it without him though as it will probably make you cry (I did).

Obviously there are also neurotypical enthusiasts there and I don't know your kids at all, so please don't read anything into this hobby for your children.

theoldhasgone · 18/02/2023 18:05

Bemyclementine · 18/02/2023 18:01

He has a number of different cubes , including rubiks. I think he has moyu (??) and Gan. He wants to do 2x2, 3x3 and pyraminx

Sounds like he will tell you if he needs a different cube 😂

theoldhasgone · 18/02/2023 18:08

FatSealSmugSoup · 18/02/2023 17:50

Do you have a link to these please? The competitions I mean. I’ve got a cuber doing it in 31 seconds 🤯 and he wants to compete.

I'm so sorry, my DH says that website isn't a reliable source and to use www.worldcubeassociation.org/ instead.

Original poster
Bemyclementine · 18/02/2023 18:22

@theoldhasgone we have seen that documentary too many times. 🤣 He definitely needs to find his tribe. He goes to a very very small school (88 pupils) and is well above his age, he's very bright, remembers everything,struggles with friends, is sensitive, there are definite signs there....so, I wouldnt be surprised if there was something.

He wants ALL the cubes . Bought himself a megaminx this week !

OP posts:
spagettinoodlebrain · 18/02/2023 18:30

Nothing to add about cubing, I've got no idea at all but just read this thread and think your a great mum!! best wishes to your DS in his comp