Karl Watson facts for kids

Karl Watson, born on September 22, 1976, is a famous American skateboarder. He is also a director who makes skate videos and an author. Karl is known for his "regular-footed" style of skateboarding. He comes from the San Francisco Bay Area.

Early Life and Beginnings

Karl Watson was born in Richmond, California. He grew up in San Francisco, both cities are in California.

He received his very first skateboard on Christmas Day in 1987. This gift started his amazing journey in skateboarding.

Karl Watson's Skateboarding Career

Karl Watson quickly became a talented skateboarder. When he was just 13 years old, he got his first sponsorship. This means companies started supporting him because of his skills.

Turning Professional

At 17, while still attending McAteer High School, Karl became a professional skateboarder. His first pro team was Clean Skateboards. Before that, his first sponsor was Dogtown Skateboards.

Karl's first appearance in a full skate video part was in DTS, The Video in 1991. Later, his name appeared on a skateboard for the first time with Think Skateboards. This board was called the Missing Children deck.

Signature Boards and Style

In 1995, Karl released his first solo skateboard design with Profile Skateboards. He also had a popular design for Mad Circle Skateboards.

Karl Watson is famous for his relaxed and smooth skateboarding style. Many people admire how effortlessly he skates.

In 2000, Karl got his first signature skate shoe from IPath Footwear. Over the years, he rode for several well-known skateboard companies. These included Mad Circle Skateboards, Organika Skateboards, and Blind Skateboards.

Directing Skate Videos

Karl is not just a skateboarder; he also directs videos. In 2008, he directed Zach & Walker's Concrete Jungle. He worked on this video with Matt Daughters for Organika Skateboards.

Community Work and Skateparks

Karl Watson also cares about his community. In 2005, he worked with Keith "K-Dub" Williams and Adjoa Murden. They helped create a skatepark in Oakland, California. This park is now known as Town Park Skatepark.

He also teamed up with Keith Williams for the Hood Games. This event brought together hip-hop music and skateboarding culture.

Founding Maxallure

In 2018, Karl Watson and Nick Lockman started their own skateboard company called Maxallure. The first team members included Karl, Lil Dre, Jonathan Perez, De Marquis McDaniels, Tafari Whitter, and Marcello Campanello.

Writing for Kids

In 2017, Karl Watson wrote a children's book called My First Skateboard Book. He worked with illustrator Henry Jones on this project. The book helps introduce young children to the exciting world of skateboarding.

Personal Life

Karl Watson is a father. He follows a pescatarian diet, which means he eats fish but not other meat.

Currently, Karl manages the Adidas flow team. This team supports up-and-coming skateboarders.