What to Expect at Nationals

[JackN]

-Be prepared to have fun, it is the most important part of the championship.

-Prepare your scout team to work super hard, there are a ton of teams to watch

-Get ready for the best matches you will see all year

-Meet new people

-Go to the webhug

[Koko Ed]

Originally Posted by Bongle

I've lost the original and forget how much this was sped up (probably about 10x), but here is a video of how long the walk is to the fields along the shorter red-carpet route:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YSjKVDgnWwY

Gah!
Just watching that eleveated my heartbeat and it wasn't because of excitement.
I thought Houston was bad....

[dangerousdave]

Originally Posted by SPurekar

Does anyone have a video of the fireworks? I know it won't look as great at the original, but it's better than nothing. My team had to go back to the hotel and we missed it... I really wish I'd seen it, now that everyone says it was soo good.

I have never been as close to fireworks as I was at the Saturday night party in Centennial Olympic park in April, 2006. Fireworks casings (very small) were literally falling on me and our table. It was not a problem for anyone as far as I know but unexpected. It was an incredible show however! It was well integrated with the group, Rhythm Extreme, performing on stage prior to the fireworks.

Originally Posted by BRosser314

When I was there in 2004 for the first year of Nationals in Atlanta I was really overwhelmed as a Sophmore. Since I was a pit person I made that hike from the pits to the stands after every match, back then I remember being able to run or walk a t a very brisk pace.

You may remember that in 2004 the pits were not in the closest GWCC building (C) to the Georgia Dome so your walk would have been much longer. That was corrected in 2005. Yes it is still quite a hike when compared to regionals.

Dave

[Laura 1547]

Championships is probably one of the best weekends you'll ever experience. Enough said.

I remember 2 years ago it was our first year and my jaw dropped when I walked in and saw just how huge it actually is. The same thing happened last year and I'm pretty sure it will happen if we go again this year. Not only do you get to meet people from different countries, but the competition is intense and there is never a moment that you are bored.

[Koko Ed]

Prepare to be overwhelmed.

[wolfj]

I know that winning an award gets you into the nationals, but which awards do it? Is it all awards, or just winners, Rookie All Star, and Chairman's Award? And, does it get you in for just that season, or just one season, whenever you want? (I don't think it makes sense for it to be used any season, but someone told me that.) That's a lot of questions, but whatever.

[AdamHeard]

Originally Posted by wolfj

I know that winning an award gets you into the nationals, but which awards do it? Is it all awards, or just winners, Rookie All Star, and Chairman's Award? And, does it get you in for just that season, or just one season, whenever you want? (I don't think it makes sense for it to be used any season, but someone told me that.) That's a lot of questions, but whatever.

Chairmans
Engineering Inspiration
Rookie All Star
Regional Winners

So, 3-6 Teams per regional.

Originally Posted by Bongle

I've lost the original and forget how much this was sped up (probably about 10x), but here is a video of how long the walk is to the fields along the shorter red-carpet route:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YSjKVDgnWwY

Awesome!!! You pass right by our robot and I at the end.

Also, my team timed it to be about 6-8 minutes from pits to the queue line (for Newton). I bet you can add another minute for whatever division is the opposite corner of the entrance.

[Jeff Pahl]

Make sure you have a good cart for your robot. Not only is the walk long, it's not flat. You have to go up a ramp in the middle. Trying to use a furniture dolly will be a very frustrating experience. Also, make sure there is room on the cart for a spare battery and a basic set of tools, as there will be times you will not want (or have time) to go back to the pits between matches, especially if you make it to the elimination rounds. One of the best things I saw last year was a team that had a place in their cart for a couple of lawn chairs. You get tired of sitting on the floor of the dome after a while.

Each field had a table where you could connect a video recoder to the feed that was going to the big screen, so you may want to bring along a portable recorder to record your matches.

The weather here in Atlanta that time of year is very unpredictable, it may be hot or cold or both. However, you can pretty much count on at least one good thunderstorm. The walk from the pits to the dome for everyone except the drive team is outdoors.

One recommendation I have, especially for rookie teams, is to get at least one registration to the FIRST Conference. It's Thursday and Friday, and is a bunch of presentations by some of the best people in FIRST. You can send different people to different sessions, it's an unbelievable opportunity to learn from the best. Also, make sure to take some time to just walk around the pits of the other divisions and get to see all the robots.

Good Luck to all who will be coming here to Atlanta! Wish we had qualified, looks like I will be volunteering somewhere.