How do you enjoy the community? Do you mostly interact digitally through the forums, facebook, instagram or discord? Or do you prefer live interactions like yo-yo clubs or events?
Do you attend yo-yo contests to compete, buy yo-yos or just meet others who play?
If you never went to a contest why? If you have, what can make them better?
Do we need to grow contests?
Just thinking about more ways to help grow and sustain our community and thought it might be cool to hear from this forum.
Can’t recommend enough going to as many contests as you can. Have met so many awesome people who ultimately became friends - we have an awesome community!
Over the years I’ve talked to people both online and in person who were hesitant to go to contest/meetups for various reasons and once they do, they’re always so glad they did - some have even become deeply involved in the community and it’s been very cool to watch.
Something I can’t stress enough is that: you don’t need to be an amazing yoyoer to enjoy a yoyo contest, you don’t need to have amazing yoyos to enjoy a yoyo contest, you don’t need to love or know about competitive yoyoing to enjoy a yoyo contest, and you don’t need to even know anyone to enjoy a yoyo contest… because what I’ve found is that there’s something for every type of yoyoer, and they are very “come as you are” type events!
If you make your entire yoyo experience online or just this forum, on the whole I’ve found those people tend to have a much narrower view of the hobby/yoyos in general. It’s amazing to be able to discuss things with people in person, share yoyos, try new ones and gain a deeper understanding of the hobby we all love.
Have been to countless contests/meetups since I was about 12 years old, and I’ll be turning 30 at the end of this year… and over the years they have turned into absolute must attend events for me. Don’t let it even be a question of whether you should go to your local meetup or nearest contest… just go!
Couldn’t agree more. Going to a club or contest when you can is worth the effort if you’re lucky enough to have that available. Community in general is hard to find and build, but somehow yoyoers have it already online and at clubs and contests. The best way to know how to help build the community is to see what’s already happening, help/add to it if you can or just attend and support.
YYE and discord are my main online interactions. I use IG (strictly yo-yo content) but don’t touch it too much and I left FB behind decades ago.
It took me a few years before I attended a contest but now I love them. Having met both these two fine peoples above at contests, I’m glad I made the push to finally jump in. It’s a bit scary at first because you may not know anyone and that’s not easy. As Spencer says above, come as you are! You’ll find your thing.
I’m actually going to compete for the very first time tomorrow at the Mini Throwdown in MA. I’m a bit nervous but am just going to go for it. It’s only a minute routine so let’s go!!
I feel like the scene is pretty strong right now with a lot of content on-line. Much of it is produced from meetups and contests and It’s so wonderful to see all the interactions. I wish the east coast was as active as the west coast! There’s a lot of things happening over here but sometimes it’s so far away. I have 5 hours in the car to MA and not everyone can make that happen.
How about you? I see your account is from 2011 and it doesn’t look like you’re here too often.
Definitely go to as many contest as possible. In person is alway better than just staring at a screen. Here’s a very fun contest to go 
2026 New York State Yo-Yo Contest | Hosted by New York Yo-yo Club — NYYYC - THE NEW YORK YO-YO CLUB
I like to build community so I start a club or a contest or whatever. Wish I could go to other clubs and contests more because it’s always a fun time but life is too busy.
I would, but I’m not able to travel out of state for a contest 
If it was within 30 minutes from home, probably.
Any contest that is reasonable to drive to i would go in a heartbeat. I can’t justify a flightand hotel at this point because any vacation i take needs to be family oriented…
Having said that i have been to the NYYYC regional 4 times and each one was better then the last. You will meet everyone in person, by everyone i mean literally anyone that you see on Instagram, yye forum etc will likely be at a contest. If you can go to a contest or multiple GO!
If there is a club near you that’s also a great experience and i would recommend going regularly.
The NYYYC is a2 hour trip for me so i started a monthly club in my area at the library. 2 years later there are a half dozen adults that attend regularly that i get to throw with. Mostly kids but these kids actually teach me tricks!
Any chance to throw in real life is worth the effort.
Good luck.
yo-yoing with friends in person is the best way to do it. Contest or club meet up, if you can make it to one do it.
Contest Improvements:
In 2005 there was a prop gun and fake shooting on stage at worlds lol
And this year the stage is even bigger. 10 vendor tables with lots of goodies and cash prizes and yo-yo raffles. the registration ends in a week. 
hope to meet you guys in person. 2026 New York State Yo-Yo Contest | Hosted by New York Yo-yo Club — NYYYC - THE NEW YORK YO-YO CLUB
Contests mog every form of online interaction
