Anybody use those noodle things that you use in your swimming pools for bumper caps?

Never have, but two things I've heard others gripe about: they're not sturdy or weather-resistant enough to last more than one season, and you can't normally order them in a specific color. Most pool stores have them in boxes of assorted colors, and so you'd have to pick and choose. But I imagine they'd work.

Good point about the assorted colors. That would not be good.

Are there any alternatives to the Nice Rink bumper caps?

Iron Sleek offers blue bumper caps. Similar price, might be a bit cheaper. Haven't used them yet.

http://www.ironsleek.com/ice-rink-topper

I had the same frustration with pool noodles last winter. I couldn't find them in wintertime and they do come in assorted colors. I made a note on my calendar for mid-july and hit the stores. I ended up getting mine a Fleet Farm (a regional store not unlike Canadian Tire), but they were also available at Wal-Mart and others.

I ended up going to three different store locations and getting people from the store to open up a few more mixed boxes of noodles that the had in the back for me before I could get the 54 blue noodles that I was looking for. Everyone was really nice about it once I told them what I wanted them for.

The good news is the pool noodles are working great. They are very easy to slit and stay on nicely. (I can post a picture if you like.) Just make sure you buy the hollow noodles instead of the solid ones. I ended up paying around $1.50 USD per noodle. I am going to store them in some large, barrel-size, plastic garbage bags over the summer.

The bad news is that this is a summer project -- at least where I live.

Good Luck!

Sean
Milwaukee, WI
40' x 80'

Will do.