Today is International Puzzle Day, and in Manitoba, speed puzzling is gaining momentum, turning a relatively quiet pastime into a community event.
During COVID, many people discovered new hobbies, including puzzling. Rebecca Waddell was among them. Her daughter told her about a YouTuber, Karen Puzzles, who was covering the USA national speed puzzling competition. After watching the videos, Waddell realized this was something she could try herself.
Speed puzzling is exactly what it sounds like: completing a jigsaw puzzle as fast as possible, either against the clock or against other puzzlers. Most competitions use 500-piece puzzles, and participants can compete solo, in pairs, or as part of a team.
“It took something that I love, like puzzles, and added the thrill of competition that I also love,” said Waddell. “I then looked it up to see if there was anything in Canada and found the Canadian Jigsaw Puzzle Association, and they were hosting virtual competitions. I signed up right away, and that began my love of speed puzzling.”
Within the past year, Waddell has taken her personal hobby and grown it into a thriving Manitoba community, the Manitoba Speed Puzzlers.
“I started with small events and then just inviting other people to join in on the fun, and now we have over 200 members in our Manitoba speed puzzling group,” said Waddell. “I just always think I’m having fun and you would have fun too, so come along, there’s room for everyone.”
The group hosts workshops, pop-up events, competitions and introduction to speed puzzling classes across the province.
“We have one coming up on Saturday, January 31st, in Brandon, and we have another one on February 8th in Winnipeg, and we’re actually going out to Neepawa on May 2nd to do a speed puzzling class there too.”
An upcoming puzzle pop-up has also been planned for Sunday, February 1st, at The Forks, running from 10 a.m. to noon, in celebration of International Puzzle Day.
Meanwhile, the group’s first in-person speed puzzling competition will take place on February 22nd at the Norberry-Glenlee Community Centre, with options for individuals, pairs, and teams.
Waddell says speed puzzling is a great way to build community.
“It’s something you wouldn’t expect would bring people together because it could be such a solitary activity,” said Waddell. “But it’s just getting together, encouraging each other, cheering each other on, talking puzzles with people. I think it just really lends itself to being part of a group of like-minded people.”
To find out more, visit the Manitoba Speed Puzzlers Facebook group.
