Different ways of meeting that certain someone include blind dates, double dates, the proverbial bar scene, personal ads or even Internet dating. However, in Eau Claire there is an up-and-coming form of dating in the courtship scene. It’s speed dating.

On Wednesday at Poseidon’s Cove, 2124 E. Ridge Center, a speed dating event was held for the first time in Eau Claire.

The event was sponsored by WMEQ 92.1, WISM 98.1, WBIZ 100 and Volume One.

Speed dating has been seen in the media on movies, such as “Hitch” and TV shows like “Sex and the City,” said Sara Duclos, promotion director of the event.

“It’s also becoming very popular,” she said.

Sophomore Tony Schultz said he heard of speed dating on TV a few years ago when it started to become well-known.

“We also discussed it in one of the English classes that I am a TA for,” Schultz said.

There were 20 people with an equal number of men and women. Each couple had four minutes to talk to each other before a bell rang, signaling the end of the discussion, Duclos said.

Bucheger said four minutes of time could go either way.

“(Four minutes) could be too long in some cases, or it could not be enough time if the people are interested in each other,” she said.

Before switching tables both people would discreetly fill out a yes or no card if they wanted to see that person again, Duclos said.

Duclos said there were two age groups, one for those 21 through 33 and one for those 34 and older.

Schultz said he would have gone if he were 21.

“The age group should be amended, because age doesn’t determine a maturity level,” he said.

He said he knows that some people who are 18 can be more mature than ones who are 21.

“Eau Claire is a college community, and it should have younger age groups and not be so spread out,” Bucheger said.

Junior Nicole Bucheger said she wasn’t interested in the event because she already had a boyfriend.

“I am also not the kind of person to go and talk to people that I have never seen before,” she said.

Bucheger also said if she were single, she’d be more apt to go if there was some kind of background check on people.

At the end of the event, the people had to turn in their cards to their host, said Duclos.

Within in the next 48 hours, the hosts will contact the people by e-mail or telephone with their matches. It will then be up to the person to arrange the next date, according to WMEQ’s Web site.

“The event was sold out, but we are hoping to have another speed dating event around Valentine’s Day,” she said.

Duclos said speed dating works well because it’s safe, in a public place and people have their choice if they want to see the person again.

“These events are usually a huge success,” Duclos said.