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Nito Quitevis
Minnesota Water Ski Association Hall of Fame Inducted 1991
Nito learned to ski in 1952 at the age of 14 on Lake Owasso and was taught by a neighbor, Jarle Leirfalom, who was then the Minnesota DNR Commisioner. After serving in the US Navy, he joined the Bald Eagle Water Club around 1958. He is currently a resident of Shoreview where he grew up and still lives on Lake Owasso.
 
  • Joined the Bald Bagle Water Club in 1957 or 1958
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  • Committee member for the 1960 and 1965 National Championships, sponsored by the Bald Eagle Water Club and held on Lake of the Isles in Minneapolis
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  • Skied in the Bald Eagle Water Club shows from 1958 to 1977.
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  • Held various offices with Bald Eagle as President, Vice-President, Show Director, Tournament Director, and Announcer
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  • Past President and Vice-President of MWSA
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  • Skied in tournaments from 1958 to present
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  • Founding member MWSA 1960
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  • Promoted Wednesday night Water Club shows at Island lake, which eventually became the tournament site for the GMO, Minnesota State, and the Island lake tournaments
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  • Led the Bald Eagle Water Club show to Kenora, Canada—their first international show
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  • Promoted the “Show of Stars” for the Aquatennial and the 1960 and 1965 Nationals, combining the talents of various Minnesota Skiers and National skiers
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  • Promoted and worked for Saucier Skis of Minneapolis
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  • Originator, with Ab Crosby, of the annual Hydrodyne Award, given to the skier with the highest overall NOPS points at the GMO
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  • AWSA Midwest Region Executive Vice-President (EVP)
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  • Instrumental, along with fellow MWSA Hall of Fame members Ed Buhr, Jack Ostberg, and others, in getting AWSA to recognize Ralph Samuelson, in 1972, as the true “Father of Waterskiing”. Ralph first skied on Lake Pepin in 1922 behind a Boeing flying boat using homemade 8’ wood skis. A monument in Lake City along the shore commemorates the event. His skis are on display at the Minnesota History Museum.
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  • Served on the seeding, technical , and Waterways Education Committees for AWSA
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  • Served on the original American Water Ski Educational Foundation (AWSEF) Board of Directors
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  • Served on the Scholarship Committee for the AWSEF
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  • Helped create a pilot project with the Ramsey County Sheriff of a water surface use management concept designed to work with lake specificity, i.e., lake associations can do a better job of managing their specific lake, rather than big government.
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  • AWSA Senior Driver, Senior Judge, both Emeritus Status
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  • Appointed driver and judge at many Regionals and Nationals
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  • Appointed judge at the National Show tournament
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  • Tommy Dorwin Award winner for sportsmanship at the Midwest Regionals
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  • Hydrodyne Award winner
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  • 1974 National Senior Mens Jumping Champion, 126’
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  • Many top five Nationals placements
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  • Many Minnesota State Championships
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  • Many Midwest Regional Championships
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  • Last AWSA ratings: EP in Jump, Masters in Slalom, Expert in tricks
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    Nito, with his former wife Joy, raised 3 daughters: Coral, Liana, and Maile, on Lake Owasso. They all skied with the Bald Eagle Water Club Shows and competed in tournaments. He’s a former employee of Saucier Ski Company, and a retired truck driver. Currently listed as an expert with TASA, investigating and testifying on various water-related lawsuits, having done so since his early days with waterskiing. Nito has never lost a case.
     
    He’s been known as a top skier, judge, and driver. Nito has been involved at all levels, from the local club level, volunteering with The Courage Center, to National Tournaments and serving on national boards. He’s never shied away from doing things and has shown great enthusiasm and opinion in doing so. Nito has and continues to serve the sport of waterskiing very well.
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