I think no matter what gets decided for blindfolds, but I think we should definitely move to having the competitors supply their own blindfold. First, most of the competitors are bringing their own blindfold anyways. There are just a few people who come to a competitor and want a blindfold supplied. The organizers then need to either have a bunch of blindfolds (or else the event doesn't proceed well), or make people share, which is unhygienic. And with different faces, one size does not fit all.

[quote="BryanLogan":3mz28if1]First, most of the competitors are bringing their own blindfold anyways. There are just a few people who come to a competitor and want a blindfold supplied.[/quote:3mz28if1] How could you say that, having done only competitions in the USA ? In France, I've only seen like one or two competitors bringing their own blindfold. [quote="BryanLogan":3mz28if1] The organizers then need to either have a bunch of blindfolds (or else the event doesn't proceed well), or make people share, which is unhygienic.[/quote:3mz28if1] True. I agree that we must encourage people to bring their blindfold, but I would prefer that the organisers still bring some at competitions.

I don't think that we should enforce organizers to supply the blindfolds and I would hate that competitors would be forced to use supplied blindfolds. If the regulations should include some extra stuff about blindfolds, then I think that it should be about which types of blindfolds that are approved by WCA.

I'd like to point out that people who bring their own blindfolds are rarely ever checked by the main judge or WCA delegate. Theoretically I could bring my own blackened swimming goggles and make a hole in the black stuff that you can't see from the outside, of course we have the sheet paper rule which catches stuff like this but 0 enforcement like it is done now is quite bad. The only time my (fully ) blackened goggles were checked by someone was at Czech open 2007 or 2008 (not sure anymore) by Ton.

I agree that competitors should have to supply their own. How do they practise at home without one? They can either ask their friends if they can borrow one, or they can get their own. I see no reason why an organiser should ever have to supply a blindfold for someone who is competent enough to compete in the event.

[quote="Dene":11v41o29]I agree that competitors should have to supply their own. How do they practise at home without one? [/quote:11v41o29] Why should I need one to practice ? I simply close my eyes...

[quote="TMOY":1x09gbfq][quote="Dene":1x09gbfq]I agree that competitors should have to supply their own. How do they practise at home without one? [/quote:1x09gbfq] Why should I need one to practice ? I simply close my eyes...[/quote:1x09gbfq] Fair enough. But do you not think it is a good idea to practise using a blindfold so that it will not distract you during competition, or so that you get used to doning it when it is time? I don't see how going to a store and spending $3 on a blindfold is such a big ask.

I completely agree that we should provide our own blindfolds. Not only does this make it easier for the organisers, but it also ensures there is some hygiene improvement. I sometimes wonder if the blindfolds provided have ever been washed or indeed how long they have been in circulation. This is no criticism of organisers, just an observation. I feel extremely uncomfortable using a blindfold straight after another competitor, particularly if he or she appears to be ill or unclean somehow. Others however may not feel this way, so naturally bringing a few extra blindfolds should still happen just in the event that there are competitors without one. It's true though, it's not a big deal to go and buy one, they aren't expensive and if one can afford to purchase the various puzzles necessary for a competition, I don't see why one blindfold should be off limits cost-wise.

[quote="Dene":9znmeqb2]Fair enough. But do you not think it is a good idea to practise using a blindfold so that it will not distract you during competition, or so that you get used to doning it when it is time?[/quote:9znmeqb2] I found this out at my first competition BLD where I found I had to remove my glasses to put on the blindfold! I had been used to simply closing my eyes whilst practicing at home.

[quote="Dene":124atkhk][quote="TMOY":124atkhk][quote="Dene":124atkhk]I agree that competitors should have to supply their own. How do they practise at home without one? [/quote:124atkhk] Why should I need one to practice ? I simply close my eyes...[/quote:124atkhk] Fair enough. But do you not think it is a good idea to practise using a blindfold so that it will not distract you during competition, or so that you get used to doning it when it is time? I don't see how going to a store and spending $3 on a blindfold is such a big ask.[/quote:124atkhk] Totally agree on that.

Hi, To my knowledge, we used to allow their own blindfolds. But to prevent cheating, we changed the regulation to provide blindfold by the official and to keep an object by judge. Actually, we had tried to find official blindfold which is available whole world and not too expensive, but we couldn't find such ones. Of course, if we could find good blindfold, some bad guy may modify it. I know sanitary issue also exists. I personally think as long as the judge checks the blindfold just before each solving, their own blindfolds can be used. Masayuki

[quote="Masayuki":1mf3crqg]Hi, To my knowledge, we used to allow their own blindfolds. But to prevent cheating, we changed the regulation to provide blindfold by the official and to keep an object by judge. Actually, we had tried to find official blindfold which is available whole world and not too expensive, but we couldn't find such ones. Of course, if we could find good blindfold, some bad guy may modify it. I know sanitary issue also exists. I personally think as long as the judge checks the blindfold just before each solving, their own blindfolds can be used. Masayuki[/quote:1mf3crqg] Competitors are [u:1mf3crqg]allowed[/u:1mf3crqg] to use their own blindfolds, if they are approved by the judge. The point here is that we should [u:1mf3crqg]require[/u:1mf3crqg] them to bring their own blindfold.