Underwater?
Been there, done that.
It is difficult to find a pool, but it's also difficult for us to find a FIRST size carpeted playing field. Testing individual systems can be done in a tub.
Safety? It is always a concern. Propellers can be in a screened enclosure, etc.
Waterproof every ting? Yes it is a challenge.
Worth it? When it works, it's very rewarding.
Will FIRST do it? I doubt it. There are very few venues that could host regionals or championships. (This year the national ROV competition was held in the Neutral Buoyancy lab at the Johnson Space Center). It is not a spectator friendly competition. Not a lot to see above the water.
Anyway, information about the MATE underwater competition at
http://www.marinetech.org/rov_competition/
Cool video that mixes up FIRST and MATE. It was produced to demonstrate teamwork, not to promote FIRST or MATE or our school.
http://posts.flyingspot.com/clients/...k/files/071805
Our videos and such can be found at
www.FalconRobotics.org Go to ROV, then videos
We use a lot of old FIRST parts. It's an activity that we like to do after April. It costs less money than FIRST. There were quite a few FIRST teams competing this year.