Paul Chapin

Paul is a lifelong resident of White Bear Lake where he grew up on Bald Eagle Lake and continues to live near the lake. His father Tom is a member of the MWSA Hall of Fame. His late mother Anzle and his Dad started skiing in 1949 and was among the founders of the Bald Eagle Water Club in 1953, the year that Paul was born. So he was literally born into the sport! The water ski people that he met as a child greatly influenced his love for the sport. His brothers Ross and Steve competed, as did (and still does) his sister Evelyn and her family.  Paul’s children Eric, Katie, and Andie all ski too. Paul is a pilot with American Airlines and is currently a Captain on the 787 Dreamliner. Besides still competing he’s very active with the USA Water Ski Foundation and serves as its president.

  • First skied in 1958 at age 5
  • Competed in his first tournament in 1961 at age 8
  • Won Jr. Boys Slalom at the 1963 Midwest Regionals in Winona, Minnesota. His performance of 1 ½ buoys at 18 off, at 34 MPH set a record for the division that stood until 1988
  • 1963, competed in his first nationals in Long Beach, California at age 10
  • 1963 began performing in ski shows with the Bald Eagle Water Club
  • 1968 AWSA Barefoot Club
  • 1970 AWSA Century Club, 107 feet, 5 foot jump at 28 MPH
  • 1970 Tommy Bartlett Ski Show performer at age 17
  • 1974 to 1979 competed on the pro tour in slalom and jumping
  • 1977 Minocqua “Aqua Bowl” jump record 137’, 5 ½ foot jump
  • 1977 Nationals, Berkeley, California, gold in M1 tricks, silver in slalom, and silver in overall
  • Competed in over 45 Midwest regional championships since 1963
  • Competed in over 45 nationals since 1963
  • AWSA regular judge
  • AWSA Senior driver
  • AWSA and MWSA member since 1961
  • Bald Eagle Water Club president, 1980
  • MWSA president, 1981, 2004 to 2008
  • Midwest Region Minnesota councilman 2003 to 2006
  • Guest slalom coach at Gordon Rathbun’s Ski Paradise in Acapulco
  • USA Water Ski Foundation Hall of Fame Selection committee 2007-2017
  • USA Water Ski Foundation president 2011-