Watch Us Live!

Check back daily for live streaming events.

Watch Now

Lakeland PBS
❤ Donate
  • Home
  • Support
  • Watch Now
    • Local Shows
    • Watch Online
    • Schedule
    • Our Channels
    • Web Cam
  • Lakeland News
    • News Feed
    • Featured Segments
    • Watch a News Story
    • Watch a Sports Story
  • Shop
  • About
    • Contact Us
    • State Legacy Funding
    • Meetings & Public Filings
    • Education
    • Employment
  • ❤ DONATE

In Business: Crow Wing Kayaks Offer High-Quality, Locally-Made Kayaks To Lakes Area And Beyond

Rachel Johnson — Apr. 15 2019
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • More
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)

A small company in Crosslake has been busy gearing up for the upcoming summer season and has been preparing orders for their locally-made, sit-on-top kayaks.

It wasn’t until Jim Bergquist was introduced to a Crow Wing Kayaks that he fell in love with paddling.

“I hadn’t done that much paddling before. I worked at a dock and lift company and they had this brand of kayaks there and I just kind of fell in love with those,” said Crow Wing Kayaks owner Jim Bergquist.

He bought Crow Wing Kayaks eight years ago and has since grown to selling and renting paddle boards, bikes, and, of course, kayaks.

“We sell, we rent, we take people down the river on them. We shuttle people to area lakes and streams,” Bergquist explained.

Crow Wing Kayaks are made with a tough but lightweight polyethylene material. The manufacturing process starts in Little Falls at Rotomolding Inc. where the kayaks are molded and then sent to Crosslake for the finishing touches.

“Starting this year we’re going to rotomold them in Little Falls. We get the basic hull and then we take them here and we add all the things on them,” explained Bergquist.

What makes Crow Wing Kayaks unique is their durability and the stability they provide with being sit-on-top kayaks.

“It’s so totally non-threatening, so stable, that most people are just amazed at it and that’s a great way to introduce them to the sport of paddling,” said Bergquist.

They are also proud of the fact that they are made right here in the Lakes area.

“There’s a lot of other options out there but there’s not a locally made product, and people take a great deal of pride in that,” Bergquist said.

Bergquist is not sure what the future holds for Crow Wing Kayaks, but he is hopeful that it will keep growing well into the future.

“I am looking for someone to buy in to or kind of take the business to the next level. I’m 66 and I’d like to see it go on and grow,” added Bergquist. “I think there’s a great deal of potential with it.”

Lakeland News is member supported content. Please consider supporting Lakeland News today.

Donate Today
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • More
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
Rachel Johnson

By — Rachel Johnson

Lakeland News Lead Reporter

Related Posts

Brainerd Lakes Chamber Hosts Annual Holiday Extravaganza

Local Community Members Get The Chance To Tour Future Brainerd Lakes Area Elementary Schools

Holly Days At CrossLake

Brainerd/Little Falls Girls Hockey Team Looks To Repeat Historic Season

Latest Stories

United Way Of Bemidji Area Hosts Annual "Holiday Gifts For Kids"

Posted on Dec. 13 2019

Beltrami County Sheriff And Bemidji Police Chief Meet With Seniors

Posted on Dec. 13 2019

First City Dance Studio to Host Their 10th Annual Production of "The Nutcracker"

Posted on Dec. 13 2019

Tenth Avenue North's "Decade The Halls" Tour Coming To The Sanford Center

Posted on Dec. 13 2019

Bemidji Pickleball Association Sponsors Free "Learn To Play" Day

Posted on Dec. 13 2019

Get the free PBS Video App

roku
Apple TV
FireTV
AndroidTV
Google Play Store
Apple Store

Connect with Us

Watch Live News Casts

Contact Us

Directions
Submit an Event
Submit a Video or Photo
Problem with the Website
Need to contact us about something else? Please visit our contact us page for more options.

About Us

Lakeland PBS understands that the media people are exposed to make a significant impact on their lives. Our hope is that the six channels we broadcast along with our online presence provide people with media experiences that make a positive impact on their lives.

Lakeland PBS is where you want to be!

108 Grant Ave NE, Bemidji, MN 56601 | 800-292-0922
KAWE Public Profile | KAWB Public Profile | Cable Provider Channel List | Privacy Policy
Copyright © 2019 Lakeland PBS. All Right Reserved.

How would you like to show your support?

Monthly Contribution

One-Time Contribution

Thank-You Gift

I would like to select a thank-you gift

No Gift

Put 100% of my gift towards programming

Show your support for Lakeland PBS

Support Lakeland PBS
Donate

loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.