User:Theodore Palmer/Karl Watson (Skateboarder)

Karl Watson (born September 22, 1976) is a proffesional skateborder. He rides his skateboard with a regular footed stance. His sponsors are Organika Skateboards, LRG, Venture Trucks, Satori Wheels, 9Five Eye Wear, 510 Skateshop, and FTC Skateboard Shop.

Bio

San Francisco Bay Area native Karl Watson Is an anomaly in the skateboarding world. Growing up in the vibrant scene of San Francisco’s famed Haight district, his interactions with the “freaks” and “masters” who color the landscape did a great deal to open his mind to new possibilities and expose him to nearly everything alternative. Karl was also raised by a lesbian mother and maintained a good relationship with his father. That being said Karl has always had a natural balance, and an open mind and heart for different ways of life, a quality, which most definitely extends in to his free-flowing, spontaneous, and always original style.

“Skateboarding saved my life. I was going on the wrong path at a young age and my mom moved to a better neighborhood. So, I used to have to always skate to my old hood and one day I met a kid who showed me how to do a couple of things on that old board.” The rest is History. Watson skates for the freedom the sport offers. Its lack of limitations, and the absence of any set of formal rules, “and no one telling you what to do or how to do it. You are only in competition with yourself and you are your only coach, and there is no one there to judge you except the kids on the Internet “

Watson cares deeply about the community and invests copious amounts of energy addressing the needs and challenges of minority youth. The Hood Games, started by Watson and his partner K-Dub is a skate festival and giveaway geared towards highlighting the exceptional talents within the minority skate community. Thus far the duo has brought Hood Games to hoods near you including: EOYDC in East Oakland, The Tenderloin, SF, and they have also featured a Hood Games event at last years X-games. Watson is also working on his own foundation to provide inner-city youth with skate oriented outlets like workshops, skate camps, and any positive outreach to keep them focused and on a positive path. Watson is now 34 and has been skating for 23 years. He is the proud father of 3 boys: Ilan Watson(11), Jiah Watson(5), and Jonas Watson(3) all of whom kill it on a deck just like dad.

Apperances

Karl Watson has appeared on Fuel.tv, Daily Habit, Slam, Skatebording.com and ESPN

External links

• organikaskateboards.com