Why is Orange County and Los Angeles always in the mix when it comes to competitive puzzling? If you’re part of the community, you immediately notice how lopsided the area is being referenced in the the world of puzzling. In fact, it seems sometimes people around the United States (like me in Florida) who love the game, don’t get as much noticed compared to the two areas.
Ground Zero for Speed Puzzling
Speed puzzling has gained immense popularity in Orange County and Los Angeles, making it a vibrant hub for enthusiasts and competitors alike. Plus, there are big groups offering speed puzzling opportunities including many speed puzzling competitions. Add that many of the people who put together the speed puzzling events live in Orange County or Los Angeles so the focus naturally draws to the area. Plus, a quick look at the map makes you realize that the area literally is one big place in Southern California.
Online Play With People in Los Angeles and Orange County
Over the past few years I’ve noticed that more and more people around the United States are getting involved in speed puzzling and some are even going to events in the Los Angeles and Orange County to be further involved in the sport. Then, the competitions which are important to the sport is typically only a couple hours away with a favorite place being San Diego (a SoCal favorite for locals.) If you think about it, if you have players who need to practice often, the area is ripe for increasing your skill set.
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If you can’t get to California (or it just doesn’t appeal to you) the truth is you can enjoy online puzzle competitions with events hosted in Orange County and Los Angeles. This area is probably the ground zero of speed puzzling on many levels, but it’s probably a temporary location as this trend of jigsaw puzzle competitions has grown and the idea of it being a local location forever isn’t feasible. Many competitions will need to include more players from around the United States.
Taking a closure look, I’ve come up with a few reasons why Los Angeles and Orange County are considered ground zero for speed puzzling:
Thriving Puzzle Community
Orange County and Los Angeles boast a thriving puzzle community with a large number of puzzle enthusiasts, clubs, and organizations dedicated to the art of puzzling. This strong community provides a supportive and encouraging environment for speed puzzlers to thrive.
Diverse Demographics
The diverse demographics of Orange County and Los Angeles contribute to the popularity of speed puzzling. With a mix of people from different backgrounds, ages, and interests, there’s a broad appeal for puzzle-related activities, including speed puzzling events.
Cultural and Entertainment Hub
Los Angeles, in particular, is known as a cultural and entertainment hub, attracting people from all over the world. This vibrant atmosphere fosters creativity and innovation, making it an ideal location for hosting dynamic and engaging speed puzzling competitions and events.
Access to Resources
Orange County and Los Angeles offer access to a wide range of resources, including venues, facilities, and materials necessary for hosting speed puzzling competitions. From spacious event spaces to well-equipped puzzle stores, there are plenty of resources available to support the speed puzzling community.
Tech-Savvy Population
Both Orange County and Los Angeles have a tech-savvy population that embraces digital innovations and advancements. This tech-friendly environment allows for the integration of technology into speed puzzling events, such as online registration, digital scoring systems, and live streaming of competitions.
Media and Publicity
The vibrant media and entertainment industry in Los Angeles provides ample opportunities for publicity and exposure for speed puzzling events. Coverage from local news outlets, local social media influencers, and entertainment channels helps to raise awareness and attract participants to speed puzzling competitions.
A Thriving Community
Overall, the combination of a thriving puzzle community, diverse demographics, access to resources, tech-savvy population, supportive educational institutions, innovative fundraising opportunities, and media exposure makes Orange County and Los Angeles ground zero for speed puzzling. These factors contribute to the region’s reputation as a premier destination for puzzle enthusiasts and competitors seeking exciting and challenging speed puzzling experiences.
