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Karl Watson (born September 22, 1976) is a regular-footed professional American skateboarder, skate video director, and author from the San Francisco Bay Area.

Early life

Watson was born in Richmond, California and raised in San Francisco.

Skateboarding

Karl Watson was given his first skateboard on Christmas day in 1987. Three years later, Watson received sponsorship, at the age of 13, and at 17, while still at McAteer High School, Watson turned pro for Clean skateboards. Watson's first sponsor was Dogtown skateboards and his first full skate video part was in DTS, The Video (’91). The first time Watson's name appeared on a board was with his second sponsor, Think Skateboards, with the Missing Children deck, featuring Watson alongside Nick Lockman, Sam Smyth, and Shawn Mandoli. Released in 1995 on Profile skateboards, Watson's first solo deck graphic was based on an "afrocentric" stick-figure scene Watson appropriated from a work of art his mom had hanging on her wall. Additionally, Watson released a deck with a popular graphic for Mad Circle skateboards depicting a man with dreads.

Watson is known for his laid back skate style.

Watson's first signature skate shoe was released by IPath Footwear in 2000. Throughout his career, Watson skated for Mad Circle Skateboards, Organika Skateboards, and Blind Skateboards. In 2008, Watson directed Zach & Walker's Concrete Jungle with Matt Daughters for Organika Skateboards.

In 2005, Watson worked with Keith "K-Dub" Williams and Adjoa Murden in advocating for the construction of a skatepark in Oakland, a successful effort that would become Town Park skatepark. Watson also worked with Williams on the Hood Games, a mixing of hip-hop and skateboarding culture.

In 2018, Watson and Nick Lockman founded Maxallure. The founding team consisted of Watson, Lil Dre, Jonathan Perez, De Marquis McDaniels, Tafari Whitter, and Marcello Campanello.

Writing

In 2017, Watson collaborated with illustrator Henry Jones, writing a children's book: My First Skateboard Book. Watson's book introduces children to the world of skateboarding.

Personal life

Watson is a father and a pescatarian. Watson had a tumor on his Pineal gland.

Watson currently manages the Adidas flow team.

References

1. "Karl Watson Profile < Skately Library". skately.com.
2. Smith, Jonathan; Harris, Zach (December 12, 2017). "A Pro Skater Has Written the First Good Skateboarding Book for Kids". Vice.
3. ^ Whiting, Sam; Writer, Chronicle Staff (June 22, 2000). "Skateboard Central / A new park opens in Milpitas, but the mecca remains Pier 7". SFGate. Retrieved June 10, 2019.
4. ^ "Oakland skateboarding mecca a beacon for East Bay youth". The Mercury News. April 14, 2016. Retrieved June 10, 2019.
5. Mary (February 7, 2010). "Skater world: an interview wit' pro skater Karl Watson". San Francisco Bay View. Retrieved June 10, 2019.
6. "Dogtown Skates". TransWorld SKATEboarding. May 14, 2002. Retrieved June 11, 2019.
7. "Not the New Venture Video (91), Part 1 Plus Greg Carroll Interview". TransWorld SKATEboarding. September 3, 2014. Retrieved June 11, 2019.
8. "Think, Missing Children AM deck". bobshirt.com. Retrieved June 11, 2019.
9. ^ "Karl Watson and Prof. Neftalie Williams continue the conversation". Pushing Boarders. Retrieved June 5, 2019.
10. "Speakers 2018". Pushing Boarders. Retrieved June 11, 2019.
11. ^ "Vice Versa: Karl Watson". TransWorld SKATEboarding. December 15, 2009. Retrieved June 5, 2019.
12. "Organika Skateboards - Zach & Walker's Concrete Jungle (2008) < Skately Library". skately.com. Retrieved June 10, 2019.
13. Swan, Rachel (July 16, 2008). "Hood Games and Pipe Dreams". East Bay Express. Retrieved June 10, 2019.
14. "Maxallure Skateboards Launch Party". www.thrashermagazine.com. Retrieved June 5, 2019.
15. "MAXALLURE -- Skateboard Company". The Berrics. February 23, 2018. Retrieved June 5, 2019.
16. "'MY FIRST SKATEBOARD' -- Karl Watson & Henry Jones Interview". The Berrics. December 12, 2017. Retrieved June 5, 2019.
17. Watson, Karl (September 22, 2017). My First Skateboard. Primedia eLaunch LLC. ISBN 9781641364157.
18. "Readers meet writers at the festival's free outdoor fair". SFGate. April 19, 2018. Retrieved June 10, 2019.
19. "Karl Watson and Prof. Neftalie Williams continue the conversation". Pushing Boarders. Retrieved June 11, 2019.

External links

• A Pro Skater Has Written the First Good Skateboarding Book for Kids - VICE
• My First Skateboard Book

• 1976 births
• American skateboarders
• Living people
• African-American skateboarders
• African-American writers
• Skateboarding video directors
• African-American businesspeople
• Artist skateboarders
• 21st-century African-American sportsmen
• 20th-century African-American sportsmen