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A Little About Us

In 1981 in Defiance, Ohio, Bob Dawson, owner of a concrete contracting and excavating business, saw an opportunity to create a swimming pool business in Northwest Ohio. His wife, Pam, thought he was nuts. She said, ‘who will want a pool in Northwest Ohio?’ Bob and his unquenchable entrepreneurial spirit decided to go for it. In that year, Defiance Water Recreation came to be and opened its doors, building inground vinyl liner pools for Northwest Ohio.  
 
Pam, while first reluctant, decided she wouldn’t snuff out Bob's vision, so she joined in and worked in their humble showroom. They went to pool and spa industry events around the country, got educated on water chemistry, and made it a priority to provide their customers with educated advice and quality products for their pools and spas.


As soon as he was able to jump in the truck, their son, Shelby, came to
 work with Bob on Saturdays. As Shelby grew up, he worked for him in the summers building pools since he was 14. Shelby, now President of the company, heads the inground pool construction process. He is a perfectionist and loves to install the best quality pools.
 

                                                                                                         
Stephani, Bob and Pam's daughter, came back to work for the company when they wanted to sell the business to their children. Stephani is now Vice President/ Pool Girl and her husband, Kirk, runs the retail operation. 



Dad is retired while mom (semi-retired) still enjoys working part time in the summer months to help in the busy season. A third generation is in place with Shelby's son, Will, and Kirk and Stephani's daughters, Olivia and Samantha, working in the summer season.  


 




The focus of Defiance Water Recreation is excellent customer service, education and keeping the family owned & operated atmosphere that has served NW Ohio all these years. Defiance Water Recreation works hard to stay competitive with pricing and product selection. Our professional service staff is here to take care of all your pool and spa needs after the sale. We have an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau.  It is our desire to continue developing relationships with our customers and doing our best to meet all of their pool and spa needs.