For those of you new to cubing, WELCOME!

We wanted to let you know this event is perfectly fine for cubers of any age and experience. We just ask you know a couple things before coming to compete...

First, please be familiar with the WCA Regulations, found here:
https://www.worldcubeassociation.org/regulations/

This video will explain most of what any cuber competing for the first time will need to know however it is still the competitors responsibility to be familiar with the full set of regulations.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dPL3eV-A0ww

If you have any questions after this video, we will be having a new competitor tutorial right before 3x3. That would be the perfect time to ask those questions and clear up any confusion.

If you are stoked to compete and ready to sign up, head over to the registration tab, click register, and fill out the information it asks for. This will help you get set up the WCA's system and one step closer to your first official solve!

Q&A:

Q: Do I use my own cube to compete?

A: YES! You are responsible for your own hardware in order to compete.

Q: What is the normal age of competitors at these events?

A: All ages are welcome, but in general competitors are between 10 and 20 years old. Don't let this stop you though, everyone can and should cube!

Q: What is the competition like?

A; Competitions are a bunch of tables where nerds like us get to sit and discuss our favorite thing, Cubes! Of course in addition there is competing, which will occupy one side of the competition hall, where you will see lots of timers flickering with contestants new personal bests. Most competitions have a break for lunch, and the competing is split up into heats, as to better organize who competes when. (Check the Groups tab and listen at the competition for more info on this.)

Q: How do I find results?

A: All results are posted on the WCA page a couple of days after the competition finishes. However, for the day of competing, go to WCA Live to find information about current events. This is also where you will find information about 2nd and 3rd rounds of events.

Q: Why am I not on the registration list yet?

A: Make sure you pay you entrance fee in order to be automatically placed on the registered list, which will also guarantee you a spot in the competition. If payment may be any issue, or you are not sure if you can attend, use the contact button to talk to us, and see if we can work out another payment strategy, or have you pay on arrival at the compeition. No matter what you situation may be however, please register online. It is much easier for us to have you register now and pay later, then to have to input information at another time.

Q: Are there age divisions?

A: Nope! All competitors compete in the same group.

Q: Can I have fun at this event?

A: HECK YES! Cubing is amazing, and we sincerely hope you enjoy the competition!

Information: Stuff You Must Know

Pre competition:

• READ AND UNDERSTAND THE REGULATIONS: Especially if you’re a first time competitor, this can potentially save you much time and grief. Particularly pay attention to Article A, 2, 3, and 10.
• Prepare accordingly for travel. The competition venue is Pauley Ballroom in Berkeley, located on the top floor of the Martin Luther King Student Union on Bancroft and Telegraph. Be aware that parking will likely be in short supply. Public transit (buses and BART both get you near campus) could be a good idea.

First steps:

• Since you’ve registered online, all you need to do is show up on time for your first event. You do not need to check in upon arrival; however, if you’re not on time and miss the last call for that event, you will not be able to compete for that event. Missing any given event does not bar you from competing in subsequent events (but does bar you from competing in subsequent rounds of events you missed).
• You will be called up by group for this event. See the Group tab for more information. When your group is called up, bring your solved cube and place it on the sheet of paper with your name with it at the scrambling station. Then wait in the competitor waiting area on stage to be called.

General

• Please don’t trash the venue. This has been an issue in the past; we are an on campus student organization and are at the mercy of campus administration, so we need to take care of the venue to ensure future access. And of course, it’s the right thing to do.
• No flash photography. It’s obviously very distracting to competitors.
• Stay at least 1.5 meters away from the front edge of the competition tables. Standing too close is distracting and frequently makes it hard for staff to get to where they need to go, which slows the competition down. ‘
• Regarding questions during the competition: do not ask staff first. They are very busy trying to make the event run smoothly (if they aren’t, then they should be). First check the live announcements, WCALive, the WCA regulations, or the info/sales table.
• If none of these answer your question, the info table people will find you an organizer or delegate.

Regarding volunteering:

• If we need more volunteering help, we will ask. If you wish to judge, run cubes, or scramble, please be familiar with the regulations.

Too Long; Didn't Read

• Know the regs, show up on time, don’t need to check in, and be respectful of competitors by staying 1.5 meters away from competition stations and not using flash photography

FAQs

Q: When do I show up?
A: Please be at the venue and ready to compete at least 15 minutes before your first event is scheduled to begin. We may get ahead of the schedule and start rounds early.
Q: Is there a general admission price if I am not competing?
A: There is no cost to spectate; the competition is open to the public.
Q: When should I leave the competition?
A: You are allowed to enter and leave the competition as you wish. If you are finished competing for the day, you do not need to stay at the competition.
Q: What do I do if I want to drop or add an event?
A: If you wish to drop an event from your registration, please email us, or let us know at the data entry table during the competition. You will not be refunded any money if you drop events. If registration has not closed and you would like to add an event, please email us. Once registration has closed, we will be unable to add events to competitors’ registrations.
Q: I cannot attend this competition. What should I do?
A: If you cannot attend this competition after all, please send us an email saying so. Please ensure that you include your name and WCA ID in the body of the email.

This event will be held on the UC Berkeley campus. It is generally difficult to find parking in Berkeley, so public transport is the best option.

Important: Parking is especially hard to find on a football game day. If you're driving, we highly recommend going early to find parking spots (you'll have to look for off-campus garages)

Arriving by plane:

The nearest airport is Oakland International (OAK), about 30 minutes away from campus by car or plan for an hour and a half by public transport. Uber can be a good choice from the airport.

By car:

As mentioned, parking is pretty difficult to find in Berkeley. The easiest place to park is Underhill Parking Structure, around 3 blocks away from the main campus. Parking on the street is occasionally available, but it is not recommended that you rely on this option.

By public transport:

If coming by BART, get off at the Downtown Berkeley station, then follow Center Street until you arrive at the university. If you are considering taking the AC transit or other bus option, get off at the Bancroft and Telegraph stop and you're already on campus.

Food:

There are multiple restaurants spread throughout Berkeley. The closest ones can be found just south of the main campus near the venue. You may also pack your own lunch if you wish.

We will be using groups for this competition. Groups will be available closer to the date of the event.

For those unfamiliar, each competitor is assigned to a group for each of the above events. During the competition, competitors will be called up by that group. For example, "Now calling 3x3 Group 1" means all competitors who have been assigned group 1 for 3x3 are up to compete and should bring their cube ASAP to the scrambling station. This also allows competitors to better know when they will be competing as groups are called in numerical order.

Want to stay connected with the West Coast community? Join the West Coast Cubing Community Discord Server! Speak with other competitors from NorCal, SoCal, Nevada, Hawaii, and Tijuana and keep in touch with fellow competitors and meet new ones! Find out about competition discussion as it happens in real time, and even announcements for competitions before registration opens!

Click here to be directly taken to the Discord Server!