Speaking as a current Wildwood Crest Lifeguard of 12 years, I can in fact say that the move to all aluminum stands is in fact due to the increase in female lifeguards on the patrol. It’s a fact. The females (as well as some abnormally small boys and elderly members) had a tougher time pulling the heavy wooden stands and would require assistance from male guards or beach goers. It’s not a bad thing to admit that that the beach patrol changed, and so must the equipment. My only issue is that they should have thought about the material before buying all these stands.