TIDAL TUMBLE
FRC OFF-SEASON
SEPTEMBER 2024
As the 2024 off-season continued, we traveled to Ventura, California for an exciting competition, hosted by Team 4414: HighTide! With one off-season already under our belt, we were electrified to show off what we could do and how much we had improved from our previous off-season competitions! Being tested against some remarkable teams taught us very valuable lessons that we were ready to implement in this upcoming competition!
PRACTICE MATCHES
After spending some time visiting some attractions within California, our team made our way to Ventura County Fairgrounds, the venue for Tidal Tumble. Once arriving, we promptly unloaded the crates and unpacked the pit and robot to begin preparations for practice matches and calibrations. After getting set-up, our team headed over to the field for robot calibrations then prepared to play in a few practice matches to test our robots capabilities. As the day came to a close, we were ready for an exhilarating tournament!
TEAM COLLABORATION
Throughout the tournament, we found ourselves in the company of many remarkable teams, each showcasing their amazing robots and strategies. Being there, we had the incredible opportunity to collaborate with and learn from these talented individuals. The experience was enriching, as we shared technical advice, exchanged innovative ideas, and celebrated each team’s achievements. We revealed the sense of community and the shared enthusiasm for robotics that connected us all. The event wasn’t just about competition; it was a collective demonstration of passion and ingenuity. We are excited and inspired by the great things we’ve seen and the potential for what we can achieve together. Looking forward, we’re eager to reconnect with everyone at future events, continuing to build on the relationships and knowledge we’ve gained.
QUALIFICATIONS
Once alliance selections began, each of our representatives headed over to the designated area before heading up and accepting an invitation to join the first seeded alliance. As each alliance formed, our team discussed with our alliance partners on who to invite. Once alliance selections had ended, we formed the first seed alliance alongside our teammates Team 5199B: Robot Dolphins, Team 597: The Wolverines, and Team 696: Circuit Breakers, we quickly headed back to our pit to prepare for our first play-off match against the eighth seed alliance.
ALLIANCE SELECTION
As qualification matches began, our team got ready to que for our first match of the day. With every match, our team worked diligently in each match competing against some incredible teams, scoring game pieces to keep ahead of the other alliances with close scores each game! Despite facing challenges such as our LEDs snapping causing them to malfunction affecting the visual cues in some matches, our team never wavered and were able to overcome each challenge. As qualification matches ended, Team 359 ended ranked 3rd of 40 teams with a record of 7-2-0 (Win-Lose-Tie), showing our teams persistence through all matches. Leading us into alliance selection, speaking with teams for possible team alliances alongside each other.
PLAY-OFF MATCHES
We began play-offs by facing off against the eighth seed alliance, with a win, we moved on to face the fourth seed alliance with a close score before heading into the finals against the second seed alliance. Before heading into the finals, our team made sure to check the entire robot and remove layers of cat tongue from the teacups and head into the finals.
TOURNAMENT FINALS
As we headed into the finals, each team met to discuss strategic strategy for the upcoming matches. The first match was a tough one, as the time ticked down, the score was neck and neck but not before long the opposing alliance took the lead right as the game ended. With the second finals match quickly, our team met with our alliance partners once again and discussed possible changes to get an advantage. The second finals match began and our alliance scored 41 points in autonomous, giving us the lead which allowed us to end the match with 20 points ahead. As the final match started, everyone was on the edge of their seat with a close score throughout the whole match. By the end, the timer ran down and with a score of 133 to the opposing alliance 93, the tournament was over with our first seed alliance partners being the champions.
LOOKING AHEAD
As the tournament came to a close, we packed up our bags into boxes to ship them back to Hawaii. Despite several mechanical challenges, we persevered and won 2-1 within the finals at the 2024 Tidal Tumble Tournament. We were excited to celebrate our win with our new drivers and will soon be facing more amazing teams at our next and final off-season event this year, Beach Blitz. We’re eager to reconvene with fellow teams and continue the dynamic exchange of ideas and camaraderie. The prospect of competing alongside such passionate peers is truly exhilarating. Imua Waialua!
Check out our other FRC Competitions!