The Story Behind Tailwind Recycled Plastic Lifeguard Chairs

Brothers Jerry and John Oksas grew up handling wood in their father’s saw mill. They knew they wanted to go into their own business together doing what they loved, making furniture. So the brothers set out to build quality, useful, and comfortable chairs.

In their first designs, the brothers used the woods they had worked with their whole life, but found that clients often wanted their furniture painted, which took a lot of time and resources. Then they found an efficient and earth friendly alternative – HDPE lumber.

Made from 100% recycled plastic, HDPE (high-density polyethylene) plastic lumber is manufactured with UV inhibitors to resist fading in hot poolside and beach temperatures. Tailwind’s colored lumber (sand, cedar, green, red, and black) is made from post-consumer recycled waste. White lumber is made from post industrial waste, milk containers that do not meet the manufacturers’ specifications for consumption, and the scrap created by producing these containers.

Tailwind Furniture designs their products keeping the unique characteristics of the recycled plastic lumber in mind. Recycled plastic lumber isn’t as strong as wood, so it must be cross braced and supported, and engineered to create a lasting product.

Tailwind looks to customer feedback to develop lifeguard chair models that satisfy customers’ needs for both the beach and the pool.The design process is ever evolving and assisted by customer feedback.

• The 72″ seat height, TXLG540 lifeguard chair is the newest and based on a specific order from a Canadian client.
• The 60″ seat height, LG517 lifeguard chair, is based on a request from a customer that saw a need for it in the aquatics industry.

Choosing the right Tailwind lifeguard chair for your aquatic facility depends on pool deck layout, available space, local mandated codes, insurance company requirements, and emergency procedures.

Currently, Tailwind offers ten lifeguard chair models with either front ladders or side steps, and seat heights ranging from 30″ to 72″. Each chair has a cup holder and an umbrella holder, a 3-year commercial warranty, and T-305 stainless steel hardware. Little maintenance is required, just routinely wipe it down with soap and water.

The side step with platform lifeguard chairs, Tailwind’s MLG520, and TLG530 are utilized most in pool settings because this design allows the facility to place the lifeguard chair closer to the edge of the pool. Platforms double as footrests and give the standing space necessary for the lifeguard to have a better vantage point for observing the pool and to have quick entry into the pool when necessary.

Tailwind’s front ladder with platform lifeguard chairs, Tailwind’s MLG525 and TLG535, are ideal in beach environments with access to the seat from the front ladder. The platform functioning in the same manner as the side step lifeguard chair models mentioned above.

Tailwind Furniture is a family owned and operated business that has been manufacturing earth-friendly outdoor furniture and recycled HDPE plastic lifeguard chairs for the past twenty plus years. Tailwind Furniture can be found worldwide in many different applications, from indoor water parks to military bases, ocean fronts, pool sides, and luxury hotels.