Hi,
I suggested age category a while ago and am exploring how should we
set.
>The problem I feel with having age divisions, like in chess, is
that
>cubing is not something that takes many years to mature. In other
>words, the best cuber in the world isn't an experienced veteran
who's
>played the game for 20 years. People like Anssi and Macky are just
>kids...
#1 Learing periods
Tyson is partly right.
For teenagers, it may be easy to achieve world class speed in short
term.
Yes, this is one of good things in cubing.
But it isn't true for all the people.
Anssi and Macky are great kids.
However, even Macky took 4 years to achieve first sub20 average
accoring to unofficial records.
I think 4 year is not short for kids.
Macky quickly stretched his records after he participated in wc2003.
He must be motivated by participating in wc2003.
#2 Cubing and Chess
And I think cubing requires more physical ability than chess.
That's why all the cubers at final of wc2005 was under30 except Jon.
#3 Some rewards for kids
It is great thing for kids to participate in the same competition
with the world champion.
But they should be more motivated for speed if he could be rewarded.
#4 Future of cubing community
And I am not sure how long I can contribute for cubing community.
I don't know how long Ron, Tyson, and Gilles can do as same as for
now.
Someone may take over those role but we should set age categories,
and lure more kids to cube and seed for future.
#5 Difference in each country and area
I don't understand why U-18 was raised for discussion.
I feel the situation is different between California and the other
region.
Obviously, there is Caltech Cube Club and I believe there are many
high school and university students in California.
In case of Japan, there are not many student cubers, unfortunately,
although we wished for someone to establish cube clubs in
universities and high schools.
Instead, many Japanese kids are started cubing and listed on
unofficial youngest solvers.
Those kids are encouraged to cube by seeing their name on unofficial
list.
Think that we started unofficial record lists, could not be
satisfied with it, and finally established official lists.
They should want to have that kinds.
#6 My suggestion is following.
###1 12 and under 12
To my knowledge, those kids go to elementary school. A few kids may
go to junior high.
But the start of school year is different in each country,
categorizing by age must be better.
###2 10 and under 10
To our experience, there are a few very fast (20-30 sec) kids at 12
year-old.
Since most of those kids solve in 1-3 min, this may be good to to
motivate relatively slow kids.
Masayuki
P.S.
Please consider senior group there are several cubers more than 70-
year-old in Japan.
And I am 40 now.
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