Due to ongoing circumstances, the organizing team is planning for the following restrictions during the competition:

• If you have symptoms related to COVID-19 such as cough, fever, shortness of breath, etc. you should not attend this competition.
• If you have had a positive COVID-19 test or prolonged exposure to someone with the virus within 14 days prior to the competition, you should not attend this competition.
• The organizing team recommends receiving a COVID-19 vaccination before competing. THIS HAS RECENTLY BECOME A PROVINCIAL REQUIREMENT THAT COMPETITORS AND GUESTS WHO ARE AGED 12+ MUST SHOW PROOF OF FULL VACCINATION. Those attending who are under 12 do not need to show proof of vaccination.
• Attendees (competitors and spectators) should maintain a minimum of 1m (3ft) from others whenever possible. We also encourage you to not share puzzles with other competitors.
• Masks are now legally required required at this time in BC in all public indoor settings.
• Competitors are strongly encouraged to use their own pen for the duration of the competition. Pens will be supplied to each competitor.
• Hand sanitizer and disinfection wipes will be widely available for use at the competitor's pleasure. Organizers will encourage these items to be used.
• The competition will aim to minimize movements and randomized seating; we will be using a fixed seating system, rather than a standard waiting area. This means when you compete, you will complete all of your attempts in one sitting with the same judge, instead of being called to a different station for each attempt.
• Officials and staff will be following special procedures to continue to minimize the possibility of transmission of COVID-19, such as utilizing sanitizer frequently and distancing and assigned seating.

Risk Mitigation Plan

Please take a look at our Risk Mitigation Plan before you attend this event to ensure your safety.

Registering

BY REGISTERING, YOU AGREE THAT YOU UNDERSTAND AND WILL FOLLOW ALL OF THE HEALTH AND SAFETY MEASURES LISTED IN THE HEALTH AND SAFETY TAB AND ACCEPT THAT ANY OF THE MEASURES MAY NEED TO BE MODIFIED CLOSER TO THE DATE OF COMPETITION.

Potential Changes

Note: As the pandemic is an ever-evolving situation, there is of course the possibility that we will need to increase safety precautions or, in the worst case, cancel the competition. Please be aware that changes may be needed. Email will be sent out to registered competitors about significant changes. In the even of cancellation we will do our best to provide full refunds to everyone.

Travel

Transit: Richmond Rod and Gun Club Hall is a 3 minute walk away from Canada Line Station: Aberdeen

To get a more precise route to the venue, visit Google Maps and enter your location for more transportation options.

Parking

There will be free parking available just outside of the venue.

Food

There many options close to the venue. Aberdeen Centre (2 minute walk away), Lansdowne Centre (6 minute drive) and CF Richmond Centre (8 minute drive). All of the following are Canada Line Stations for those taking transit.

Venue

Entrance will be in the front of the venue, with washrooms beside you, we encourage you to sanitize before entering.
Note: This venue will not have any WiFi. If you need to access WiFi, you will either need to use data or use WiFi nearby at the mall 2 minutes away.

Welcome

For those of you new to cubing - WELCOME! This competition is fine for cubers of any age and experience. We just ask you to be aware of these basics before coming to compete... First, please be familiar with the WCA Regulations.

Of course, those regulations contain a lot of legalese, so we have a video made specifically for new cubers, just to show the basics of competing. This video will explain most of what any cuber competing for the first time will need to know.
Video: WCA Competitor Tutorial
*There will also be a quick competitior tutorial at the start of the competition.

FAQs

Q: What will the competition look like?
A: A competition usually runs throughout the whole day where cubers meet up and have fun, although you are more than welcome to stay the whole day or leave whenever. You will compete in events you have signed up for and have the choice to cube at a waiting table.
Q: Who is allowed to compete?
A: Everyone, from all ages are allowed to compete! Do not be hesitant if you are not experienced with cubing or competing, we encourage newcomers to come along, we will help out.
Q: Whose cubes do I use?
A: When competing, it is ideal to use your own cube. Make sure you have one ready to go when it is time to compete. Equipment like timers will be there to compete with. (The competition will not supply you with cubes to compete.)
Q: How do I check the results of the competition?
A: There will be a website: WCA Live to check concurrent results throughout the day. Official results will then be posted the following days of the competition. *Keep in mind, the venue will not have Wifi available, if you intend to search for results, you will have to use data or find another place for connection.

Do not be daunted by all these rules and expectations. Competitions are for everyone to have fun! If at any time during the day you have any questions feel free to ask us!

If you have any following questions or concerns, do not hesitate to contact Kenny Zhong: kzhongcube@gmail.com

WCA competitions are operating under regulations enacted on May 1, 2021 to address safety concerns regarding COVID as well as new permanent regulations for competitions. All competitors are required to read and refer to the Health & Safety tab for more information as well as be familiar with the regulations listed below:

New Regulations
1) The competitor must have no physical contact with the puzzle cover while starting the attempt on Blindfolded events.
2) Require the competitor to finish signing (not just for the judge to finish signing) before the competitor may reset the timer.

You can find a full summary of the new regulations here.

Temporary regulations
1) Competitors are requested to use their own pens. Name labeled pens will be provided for this particular competition.
2) There will be fixed seating for all events, with no competitor waiting area. Competitors will perform all solves for a particular round at the same station and remain there between solves.
3) Competitors should refrain from touching the surface of the solving station when they are not in the process of an official attempt.
4) Judges should refrain from touching the puzzle at all times.
5) Judges will ask the competitor to prepare the timer for each attempt (turning on/off, resetting as necessary).
6) After finishing an attempt, if there are more attempts to be done, the competitor must place the puzzle inside the cover.

You can find the rest of the temporary regulations here.

Competition duties:

Particularly if you are newer to competing or to judging or need that refresher after being out of competitions for so long, please read the WCA Competition Tutorial before coming to the competition to learn for the first time or simply be reminded as a more experienced competitor about the procedures for both competing and judging.

All experienced competitors will be scheduled by the organizers to serve as judges and scramblers. Schedules will be posted at the venue and found on the back of the prepared name tags on the day of competition.
Because of our limited competitor size, we kindly ask that everyone tries to out by judging, scramble or run, in order to keep pace with the day. Sanitization will be needed as well for all competing stations after each group.

Please take a look at our Risk Mitigation Plan in the health and safety tab on how to perform the tasks with proper safety procautions.

Keeping the venue as tidy as possible will be a great help as well.

Serving in these essential roles - including on the spot invitations to both competitors and attendees to assist the organizer as co-runners - makes for a smooth and excellently run competition for all.

Thank You.

Series competitions are two consecutive competitions one day after the other. See section 2.5 of the WCA Competition Requirements Policy if you're curious for more information.

This is to avoid risk of COVID and follow health and safety guidelines. Only register for one competition, either Richmond Open A 2021, or Richmond Winter Open B 2021. If there is an attempt to register for both, you will only be placed in one, meaning that you are not to attend both dates unless you are a guest of a competitor.

Please do not show up to a competition that you are not competing at, unless you are a guest of a competitor, as spectators are limited to one per competitor.

You are only allowed to compete for one of these days!

A big thank you to TheCubicle for sponsoring this competition, they will be giving out gift cards to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place of event winners. Also a huge thanks to CoolCubeMerch for Co-Sponsoring this competition, they will be supplying apparel for giveaways held during the day!

# Giveaways

We have partnered up with our sponsors and will be giving out extra prizes throughout the day, like cubes and more!