I'm new to cubing to and I was wondering the same thing. After reading your post and the comments I decided to participate to competitions as soon as theyre near me.
But I have few questions that bothers me:
1) How to know when and where competitions will be hosted?
2) How do I actually do go in competitions( like I just go there?, I have to be in an eligibale group first? etc..)
3) If the competitions is in an other country will I pay the airplane myself? And can I bring other members of my family?
4) I know the time doesn't really bother but what time would you recommend like sub 1min?
5) What are the rewards?(like 1st,2nd,3rd etc..)
6) How does it actually work( I just get 5 solves and thats it?)
I hope I guess some answers back and preferably from someone who went to an actual competitions. SOrry for my bad english I mainly speak french. Thank in advance for your answers