Pool Noodles

[ChuckDickerson]

Just a friendly reminder that now is the best time of year to stock up on those pool noodles you know we are all going to need next January/February. The Labor Day weekend marks the end of summer so stores are putting summer pool toys on clearance. I've seen pool noodles as low as $0.25 on clearance this time of year. I checked 2 local Walmarts today and neither had any left. Target had a few on clearance for $0.98. Get 'em while they are cheap and still available!

[Hallry]

The GDC probably bought out those two Walmarts' pool noodles for the game elements for next year's water game.

[Colin P]

Last year we had to try to find pool noodles in the middle of winter in the U.P.... NOT FUN
We'll be getting em earlier this year

[Phyrxes]

We bought a box from a pool supply company two years ago, I suspect we will be buying another box this fall. It was nice to have extras to take to events, since someone always ends up needing some.

[akoscielski3]

This may be a good time to get pool noodles for next year, as pool supplies are coming out and the stores are loaded with them.

[FrankJ]

In typical First style, Bill specifically refused to speculate on the need of noodles for next years bumpers in Bills Blog. Or was that a back handed way of suggesting to buy some?

Anyway noodles are cheap. Buying them now is cheap insurance.

[JonathanZur1836]

Pool noodles are stocked at pool supply stores more or less year round; I bought about 12 at my local Leslie's Pool Supplies in January and it was rather cheap if I remember correctly. But yeah, if you get the chance, getting them earlier can be cheaper and ensures that you have them for the coming build season.

[Alan Anderson]

Originally Posted by JonathanZur1836

Pool noodles are stocked at pool supply stores more or less year round;...

Most of us don't live in southern California, Jonathan. Pool supply stores in north central Indiana probably do always have stock, but they're not open year round.

[JonathanZur1836]

Originally Posted by Alan Anderson

Most of us don't live in southern California, Jonathan. Pool supply stores in north central Indiana probably do always have stock, but they're not open year round.

You're completely right, I apologize for not taking that into account.

[akoscielski3]

Originally Posted by Alan Anderson

Most of us don't live in southern California, Jonathan. Pool supply stores in north central Indiana probably do always have stock, but they're not open year round.

Trust me. Canada does not have pool stores open during the winter...
lol

[Foster]

Mark highlighted the wrong part of Billl's message, I fixed it.

Originally Posted by Bill's Blog 5/30/12
I was asked if teams should purchase pool noodles for their 2013 robot bumpers now while pool supplies are more readily available, but I honestly can’t answer that question. The rules around robot bumpers will be released along with the Game Manual at Kickoff, so in the meantime, do what you think is best regarding stockpiling floatation devices for your robot.

And that means the water game is ON!

[EricH]

Originally Posted by Foster

Mark highlighted the wrong part of Billl's message, I fixed it.



And that means the water game is ON!

I was going to say, that settles it. On-water game. (As opposed to Under-water game.) The pool noodles are there to help keep the robot upright.

[Jenn Feathers]

Originally Posted by EricH

I was going to say, that settles it. On-water game. (As opposed to Under-water game.) The pool noodles are there to help keep the robot upright.

Hmmmmm... How about a Formula - 1 Power Boat Racing-ish type game???

[Bill_B]

Many comics have pointed out various aspects of the use of the name sport for some of our recreational activities. According to some, golf is not a sport because there's no one trying to keep the ball out of the hole. Fishing is not a sport because it relies on fooling a vastly less capable nervous system that food is available. Weightlifting - pick up a heavy weight, put it down again. Not sport - it's indecision!

I'm not sure going after a sport metaphor is as desirable a goal as is possible.

[JohnBoucher]

And for those that wait, AndyMark has them

AndyMark