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Tom Chapin
Minnesota Water Ski Association Hall of Fame Inducted 1991
Resident of White Bear Lake, his hometown. He grew up on Bald Eagle Lake, where he still lives. First learned to water ski in 1948 at the age of 22. In 1951 on their honeymoon, Tom and his bride Anzle bought their first boat in Winnesquam, New Hampshire, a 15 foot fiberglass runabout with a WWII 50 HP Evinrude engine designed for use on storm boats.
 
Water Skiing Highlights
  • Founding member of the Bald Eagle Water Club in 1953, President in 1954 and 1968. Honorary life member.
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  • Founding member of the Bald Eagle Water Club in 1953, President in 1954 and 1968. Honorary life member.
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  • Joined the American Water Ski Association (AWSA) in 1954. Built a ski jump with AWSA plans, and first installed a slalom course in 1954.
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  • Skier and Assistant Show Director for the Bald Eagle Water Club Shows from the first show at Howard lake in 1954, Iowa Falls in 1955 & ’56 to shows in the early ‘60’s
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  • Tournament Director for the first Bald Eagle Water Club tournament in 1954 on Bald Eagle Lake.
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  • Helped organize and compete in the first Minneapolis Aquatennial Waterski Tournament, co-sponsored by the Bald Eagle Water Club in 1955. 1st in Mens Class A Slalom, 2nd in Mens Class A Jumping, and 1st in Mens Class A Overall.
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  • Has installed the slalom, trick, and jump courses for the Aquatennial from 1955 to 1974 at Lake of the Isles, the 1959 Midwest Regionals at Lake Nokomis, the 1960 and ’65 Nationals, and most of the Island lake tournaments thru from the late ‘60’s thru 2002.
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  • Founding member of MWSA in 1960, helping to develop it’s bylaws. President, 1964-1965
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  • One of the first skiers in Minnesota to complete a 34 MPH slalom pass in a sanctioned tournament.
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  • One of Minnesota’s first barefooters.
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  • Competitor since 1954 in slalom and tricks. He jumped in the 1950’s on the 6 foot jump and once again in 1974.
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  • 1962 Midwest Regional Trick Champion, held at Minocqua, Wisconsin.
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  • First competed at Nationals in 1962 at Callaway Gardens, Georgia, in Senior Men Slalom and Tricks.
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  • 1969 Nationals 6th place tie in Senior Men Slalom, Berkeley, California.
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  • 1981 Nationals, 4th place Veteran Men Slalom, Destin, Florida.
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  • Numerous National and Regional Titles in slalom and tricks thru 2002.
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  • Minnesota State record holder.
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  • MWSA Hydrodyne Award winner.
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  • MWSA Gary Duhamel Award winner.
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  • Correct Craft Ski Nautique Promotional Team member from 1974 to 1988.
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    Retired mechanical engineer with Hamms Brewing Company and 3M. Marrried to his next door neighbor Anzle (dec. 1995), and now to Ida. Father of Paul, Ross, Steve, and Evelyn, all skiers in their own right. Grandfather of 6.
     
    Tom also enjoys snowskiing, being a veteran of 25 years with the National Ski Patrol at Wild Mountain, and currently is a winter resident of Aspen, Colorado.
     
    Tom has always been known as one of the top skiers in the state of Minnesota, the Midwest, and the nation. He loves the sport and the people involved in it. He’s never at a loss with something good to say about skiing, from the early days to the present, and is an inspiration to everyone.
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