Is it worth it to go to competitions?

[mmitchev]

My pb is 40.57 and I average 55.49 of 5. Should I bother to go to a local competition or is it just not worth it?

 

[ianography]

Go to a competition no matter what your speed. They are loads of people. They're usually organized for mingling with other cubers.

 

[waffle=ijm]

go, meet people, learn new cubing stuff first hand.

or

stay home, stare at monitor, make online cubing friends, forever alone.

 

[choza244]

stay home, stare at monitor, make online cubing friends, forever alone.

 

[OMGitsSolved]

Speed isn't really a factor at competitions to other people (unless they are douche bags). They should only matter to you. The things that come out of competitions should be meeting new people, having fun, the experience, and breaking PB. If there is one near you I definitely suggest you go. If someone says you are slow then tell them to shut up. Just go, man.

 

[mmitchev]

Speed isn't really a factor at competitions to other people (unless they are douche bags). They should only matter to you. The things that come out of competitions should be meeting new people, having fun, the experience, and breaking PB. If there is one near you I definitely suggest you go. If someone says you are slow then tell them to shut up. Just go, man.

In your experiences are their many douches, cause it seems the majority of the community is really friendly and helpful.

 

[RyanReese09]

Competitions are one of the main reasons I continue cubing.

 

[Clayy9]

[OFF TOPIC]I need a competition near me...[/OFF TOPIC]

 

[iEnjoyCubing]

You don't need to be fast to go to competitions. You just go for fun. At my first comp I did absolutely terrible but still had fun.

 

[mmitchev]

In relation to this, how much do u think I can improve as I just learned 2-step oll and pll and f2l, I just recieved my speedcube from lightake and I have about 3 weeks to practice?

 

[hammerhead]

Maybe... 5 seconds?

But as others said, go if you can. You don't want the have like a sub-15 average, but have never competed, and choke. And meeting new people at my first comp was the greatest experience.

 

[OMGitsSolved]

In your experiences are their many douches, cause it seems the majority of the community is really friendly and helpful.

Douches are very rare. (lol that sounded weird)

 

[mmitchev]

Great, whoever's Gunna be at hackley, I'll see you there!

 

[TylerKerr]

one word........yes

 

[emolover]

Why does everyone that hasn't competed think that everyone is good that goes to comp? No! There are actually very few really good cubers at a comp if any. The only good and famous cubers that have ever been to compa that I have went to is Dan Cohen, Mike Hughey, and Chester Lian. I have been to four competitions.

 

[Carson]

I have probably learned as much, if not more, at competitions as I have at home. Competitions are a great opportunity to meet and socialize with people who are likely to have similar interests. Speed is really only an issue for the top people there... don't worry about how fast you are in relation to other people.

At my first competition (Which happened to be US Nationals 2008) I averaged over 1:00. It took me 12 competitions before I got an official sub :30 solve, and 14 before I managed to get a sub :30 average. I rarely ever make it past the first round in anything... I average 25-30 seconds and I have been cubing since 2006. Despite all of this I LOVE competitions!

 

[Julian]

Yes. I live for competitions.

 

[APleaForCubing]

Man...now I really want to go to a competition! Never been to one, but it seems like it'd be really cool to go

So, my suggestion to you, and to myself, would be yes! GO!

 

[Slowpoke22]

To the OP: Competions are fun if you want to learn a few new tricks, try out new or buy cubes, improve your times officially, to compete primarily against yourself, and to socialize. Tbh, I only go to try and improve my own times, and for the most part disregard the social aspects of cubing. I just try to solve to the best of my abilities while under a perceived sense of pressure - like my solves actually matter!? haha. Compared to the "old" days of my first competition at Caltech in 2005 (I miss Macky, Patricio, Dzoan, etc. as familiar faces). Recently, I've noticed a lot more kids competing, a few extra distractions, and a much less exclusive community in many respects. That's somewhat of a downside to me, but nothing to gripe too much about. I can't help but be drawn to local competions once or twice a year. I don't cube intensely, and I'm never near the fastest cubers, but it's fun to witness the best competitors in your area. Admittedly, ever since Mr. Zemdegs and the recent surge of sub-11 and sub-10 avg cubers, I haven't really been trying you to improve my times. In 6 years of competions I think the best I managed was 5th place at my last comp, and that was only in 2x2. Never even receieved one of those top 3 certificates, but I don't regret all my time invested cubing.

Anyway, you sound itching to go to a competition, and I'd highly recommend doing so. I went with a 35 avg my first time, and truly thought I would come in last place and be pissed off with my results after a 2+ hr drive to Caltech. Seemed futile, but not at all. There's something comforting about being surrounded by cube addicts. Odds are pretty good you won't be the worst one there (if you are, nobody except you will care or act insultingly to you, I promise). From my experiences, everyone except cheaters are welcome at WCA competions, regardless of skill level.

Worst case scenario, you get a sup-1:00 avg - maybe some pops and a DNF. Everything is catastrophic and not a reflection of your skill. That can happen if you're prone to anxiety, pressure, and such like I am. Well guess what: the cube it liquid crack. If you go to a competition, regardless of anything that happens good or bad, you WILL end up finding yourself practicing and attending another event. In short, don't be scurred. Most cubers present themselves as friendly, helpful, and not at all arrogant.

Two little pieces of advice:

1) If there is a OH cut-off time of say 1:00, and you knoooow you can't even come close, it may be wise to wait until a another comp. before participating. I remember seeing some guy at Nationals 2009 spend over 10 min on OH solves and didn't even come close to finishing a solve. IIRC, Rowe judged that guy twice, and seemed rather irritated. lol Stuff like that slows down everything.

2) Have fun, relax as much a possible by any means necessary, and don't forgot to practice before your second comp. Once you go to your first competion, odds are you will be strongly encouraged to let goals for yourself and attempt to meet them officially. I'm willing to bet that if you go soon and get ~50 avg of 5, you will almost certainly be back another time wth ~40 or even ~30. Keep in mind, however, that you probably won't be truly satsfied with your times in the long-term. Beating your official PBs is a rather euphoric and satisfying feeling, but the satisfaction will ultimately make you compelled to compete again. Tbh, the happiness doesn't last more than a day or two (unless you absolutely dominate and manage a NR, CR, or WR), so yeah, go to one comp. and rest assured you'll be attended more. ^_^

Wow, sorry about the long post. Drunk. XD

 

[izovire]

Why are you asking this question?

GO... JUST GO!!! You won't regret it.