Surrey Side Events 2026

The SFU Surrey Campus buzzed with focused energy as fifty-two competitors gathered in Surrey, British Columbia, Canada on March 28, 2026. Inside the academic hall, the rhythmic clatter of mechanical puzzles filled the air, replacing standard classroom quiet with the unmistakable pulse of a dedicated cubing competition. Tables were lined with timers, mats, and specialty hardware as solvers warmed up their fingers and tested tensions across seven distinct disciplines on the schedule.

This single-day gathering brought a refreshing change of pace from traditional speedcubing schedules that centre on standard speed solves. With eight total rounds contested across the day, the spotlight turned directly onto peripheral disciplines, ranging from complex mechanical faces to blindfolded solving. Competitors and spectators alike packed the seating areas to watch intense battles that tested spatial precision, memory, and sheer turning endurance without relying on traditional 3x3 results to anchor the day.

Surrey Side Events 2026 delivered an exceptional showcase in the big cube categories, headlined by a dominant display from American competitor Kevin Hays. Hays secured a commanding double victory on the day, sweeping both the 6x6x6 Cube and 7x7x7 Cube events. In the 6x6x6 Cube final, Hays posted a winning average of 1:23.77 alongside the fastest single of 1:12.97, finishing ahead of Canadian rivals Callen Kleij with 1:54.34 and Ethan Rusnak with 2:18.39.

Kevin Hays continued his mastery in the 7x7x7 Cube, capturing first place with an average of 2:08.06 and a best single time of 2:06.54. Callen Kleij earned his second runner-up finish of the weekend with an average of 3:06.31, while Kevin Matthews rounded out the podium positions with a steady 3:15.93 mark. The precision required to control such layered Rubik's Cube variations over extended multi-minute solves drew sustained attention from everyone stationed around the venue floor.

Away from the top steps of the podium, Surrey Side Events 2026 featured tremendous individual breakthroughs throughout the pack. Liam Jimenez slashed 40.2 percent off his personal best in Clock, bringing his mark down to 11.02 to finish ninth overall. Ethan Leonard took on four events, setting an 18th place finish in Square-1 thanks to a personal best of 24.17 that improved his previous standard by 41.9 percent, alongside his first ever attempt at Clock in 30.15. Owen Zong dropped his Pyraminx best by 35.3 percent to 3.87, while Spencer Fraser tackled five events, recording his first ever attempt at 7x7x7 Cube in 9:38.22 and dropping his Square-1 best by 31.1 percent to 49.21.

Other solvers marked major milestones across their careers at this WCA competition. Oliver Kaplan recorded his first ever attempt at Square-1 with 19.70 and Clock with 11.75 while finishing 11th in Square-1. Reese Pimentel logged seven events, securing fifth in 3x3x3 Blindfolded with a debut attempt of 2:35.55 and cutting 21.4 percent from his 7x7x7 Cube personal best to hit 5:07.57. Victor Aja Yera improved his Pyraminx best by 23.7 percent to 6.37 and recorded his first Clock solve in 20.89, while Tyr Martensen completed his first WCA competition by logging a debut Pyraminx mark of 19.13.

In the specialty hardware events, Eeshir Pannun delivered a stellar performance to take the Square-1 title with an 8.97 average and a 4.65 single, leading Luke Zhang at 10.01 and Callen Kleij at 10.99. Jeremy Xiang captured victory in Clock with a crisp 5.40 average, just edging Kleij who posted 5.85 and Saharsh Sai Vontela who placed third in 6.49. Vontela climbed to the top step in Megaminx, winning with a 46.52 average over Ethan Rusnak at 51.23 and Peter Barnwell at 51.46, while Ash Chen topped Pyraminx with a swift 2.33 winning average.

The 3x3x3 Blindfolded event concluded after two demanding rounds of competition, showcasing the mental endurance required for speed cubing under complete visual deprivation. Etan Huang captured first place on the podium with a winning average of 37.80, closely pursued by Kevin Matthews who took second in 38.16, while Noah Stelting claimed third place with a time of 1:58.33. The close duel highlighted how memory execution and turning speed combine at the highest level of competitive blindfolded solving.

By the conclusion of Surrey Side Events 2026, host nation Canada had claimed fifteen podium places, the United States took five, and China secured one across the seven events. The energetic setting at SFU Surrey Campus proved to be an ideal stage for specialists and multi-event competitors to test their skills and establish new personal standards for the remainder of the season.