Difficulty Finding Pool Noodles

Hello! Our team is having some trouble finding 2.5" diameter pool noodles for bumpers. Anyone know where we can buy these? Preferably somewhere in Los Angeles!

Thank you!

If you can wait a few days for shipping AndyMark has them in stock.

I’m surprised you have trouble in California finding those… in Michigan, you have to get them in august or early September if you want them for build season. Lots of places online have them, including Andymark. Also check a local pool supply store as they often have them or can get them quickly.

Definitely check a pool supply store - that’s where we’ve gotten pool noodles during build season before.

We just got 16 from the pool supply place a couple miles from the school. It’s always an issue…I think about it every fall, when they’re on sale cheap at every store, but no one seems to be interested then.

Amazon sells them year round.

We just get ours from Andymark. Convenient to throw in a box when we order other stuff.

Try your nearest boat marina.

The shipping costs on these from AM is terrible. I hope I bought enough at Dollar General during the past two summers to see us through.

I have to share that we (in Hawaii) understand (1) the frustration of not being able to find materials and tools, (2) the challenge of waiting for parts, and (3) the cost of shipping…but don’t have the problem of finding pool noodles any time of the year!

One of the few times when talking about FRC that I can say, “Lucky we live Hawaii!”

NOTE: We also don’t use correct grammar, so yes, there is NO “in” missing.

A quick search for pool supplies in the Los Angeles area yielded approximately 75 results. If a pool supply store doesn’t have it, try a Dollar General if you’re limited to looking locally.

-Nick

Your local Walmart or other big box store hasn’t started stocking summer stuff?

Here in Canada we have a chain called Canadian Tire and my local one just started putting out the pool noodles and other seasonal gear. I got quite a bewildered look when I grabbed a handful of pool noodles and brought them to the checkout in the middle of a snowstorm.

Did the look get more or less bewildered when you told them it was for building a robot? :wink: