WBWSC Legacy Project Timeline

1947 — Company Founded

Tom Weinhagen establishes the White Bear Water Ski Company on Bald Eagle Lake, Minnesota—becoming the first water ski manufacturer in the state. Inspired by a newsreel showcasing water skiing in the 1930s, Weinhagen began experimenting with the sport. Tom began building wooden water skis by hand in his basement, then garage, with the goal of making water skiing accessible and fun for everyone. His early designs helped bring the sport into backyards and onto local lakes, setting the tone for a family-first approach to recreation that resonated across Minnesota.

1950s–1960s — Growth & Innovation

WBWSC gains regional and national popularity, producing hundreds of thousands of wooden skis with memorable decals. The company’s products are featured in local ski shows and sold in catalogs nationwide, fueling the mid-century boom in recreational water sports.

“It was a part of our summers. If you skied on Bald Eagle or White Bear Lake, chances are you used one of their skis.” – From a Facebook community comment archived by the White Bear Lake Area Historical Society.

1972 — Company Dissolves

After two owners and 25 years of innovation and craftsmanship, the White Bear Water Ski Company closes. Its legacy lives on through collectors, families, and water ski enthusiasts who cherish the gear and memories from its golden era.

2012 — Legacy Project Begins

The Weinhagen family begins gathering artifacts, stories, and community contributions to preserve the memory of the company. This marks the informal start of what would become the WBWSC Legacy Project.

“We realized there was so much more to tell—so many people had pieces of the story.” – Family recollection quoted in White Bear Lake Area Historical Society oral history notes.

2022 — Bears on Boards Exhibit

As part of the centennial celebration of water skiing—first invented by Ralph Samuelson in 1922 in Lake City, Minnesota—the White Bear Lake Area Historical Society features the WBWSC in its “Bears on Boards” exhibit. This interactive display highlights the company’s contributions to recreational water skiing and its role in Minnesota’s unique legacy as the sport’s birthplace.

2025 — WBWSC Legacy Project Named and Celebrated

After 13 years of collecting, preserving, and sharing the history of the White Bear Water Ski Company, the project takes on its formal name: the WBWSC Legacy Project. With a now-complete picture of the company’s origins, innovations, and cultural impact, the initiative affirms its mission to preserve and honor the full legacy of Minnesota’s first water ski manufacturer. The name change reflects the project’s evolution into a permanent, accessible resource for historians, families, and watersport enthusiasts alike.