NewsBite

Toowoomba hosts first official Speedcubing event

Toowoomba’s Speedcubers competed alongside the nation’s best at a Speedcubing Australia event at the weekend, but it’s not over yet, here’s how you can get involved.

Toowoomba cubers (from left) Joshua Jackson, Anthony Priebe, Lucas Bohorquez, Skyla Cotterell, Ben Warry, Thomas Strenzel, Joseph Burnett and Willem Rodgers at Chilling in Toowoomba, a Speedcubing Australia competition, Saturday, August 24, 2024. Picture: Kevin Farmer
Toowoomba cubers (from left) Joshua Jackson, Anthony Priebe, Lucas Bohorquez, Skyla Cotterell, Ben Warry, Thomas Strenzel, Joseph Burnett and Willem Rodgers at Chilling in Toowoomba, a Speedcubing Australia competition, Saturday, August 24, 2024. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Australia’s fastest blindfolded Rubik’s cube solver, who can solve the puzzle in 12.10 seconds while blindfolded, has competed alongside Toowoomba Speedcubers at a Speedcubing Australia event.

It was the first time an official event had been held in Toowoomba, which took place at Wilsonton State High School.

Toowoomba Speedcubers Club organiser Jason Bowes said he was proud to see his members smash the clock at Toowoomba’s first Speedcubing Australia competition.

The 53-year-old said he had swapped his golf clubs for the Rubik’s cube about six years ago, creating an all-inclusive Speedcubers club which now meets monthly at the East Creek Community Centre.

Australia’s fastest blindfolded Rubik’s cube solver

He said seeing the confidence and growth of the young members got from being involved had keep him involved in the sport.

“I’m a big believer in it takes a village,” he said.

“We need to have places where kids can explore the hobbies they enjoy and meet other like-minded kids.

“I noticed at official competitions it was a bit hard for the kids to meet other kids, and locally other kids don’t know there’s other cubers around.

“So by providing the space and spreading the message there’s a place for them where they can talk their language is invaluable.”

Toowoomba cubers (from left) Joshua Jackson, Anthony Priebe, Lucas Bohorquez, Skyla Cotterell, Ben Warry, Thomas Strenzel, Joseph Burnett and Willem Rodgers at Chilling in Toowoomba, a Speedcubing Australia competition, Saturday, August 24, 2024. Picture: Kevin Farmer
Toowoomba cubers (from left) Joshua Jackson, Anthony Priebe, Lucas Bohorquez, Skyla Cotterell, Ben Warry, Thomas Strenzel, Joseph Burnett and Willem Rodgers at Chilling in Toowoomba, a Speedcubing Australia competition, Saturday, August 24, 2024. Picture: Kevin Farmer

The father said the official event in Toowoomba gave local competitors a chance to obtain a national ranking and keep track of their times and push themselves to beat their personal bests.

“There will always be a first, but what you really want is to beat your record and that’s one of the great things about cubing, even though it’s competitive the main person you’re trying to beat is yourself,” he said.

Conan Moo competes in a blindfold event of Chilling in Toowoomba, a Speedcubing Australia competition, Saturday, August 24, 2024. Picture: Kevin Farmer
Conan Moo competes in a blindfold event of Chilling in Toowoomba, a Speedcubing Australia competition, Saturday, August 24, 2024. Picture: Kevin Farmer

He said although solving the cube might seem unattainable or too difficult, everyone and anyone could give it a crash as there was a lot of tutorials online.

“All it is about is speeding the time, it is very very easy, you could learn how to solve a Rubik’s cube in under 10 minutes,” he said.

“Regardless of gender or age, whether you think you’re smart, or your ability, you can do speed cubing.”

An in-camera multiple exposure where champion blindfold Speedcuber Charlie Eggins demonstrates the three stages of memorising, solving and finished, at Chilling in Toowoomba, a Speedcubing Australia competition, Saturday, August 24, 2024. Picture: Kevin Farmer
An in-camera multiple exposure where champion blindfold Speedcuber Charlie Eggins demonstrates the three stages of memorising, solving and finished, at Chilling in Toowoomba, a Speedcubing Australia competition, Saturday, August 24, 2024. Picture: Kevin Farmer

If you want to learn more about Toowoomba Speedcubers Club, which next meets on Sunday, September 15, click HERE.

Originally published as Toowoomba hosts first official Speedcubing event

Original URL: https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/toowoomba-hosts-first-official-speedcubing-event/news-story/65e4e6726687ceca81c18ace40945cc4