KARL WATSON INTERVIEW

Karl Watson is a professional skateboarder from San Francisco, CA. We talk EMB, old skate stories, his skateboard company Max Allure, and much more!

What up Karl?! Thanks for doing this!

Yes sir :)

So you were born in Oakland, CA. When did you move to SF and how did you start skateboarding?

Yes, I was born in Oakland, California. I ended up moving to San Francisco when I was nine and that’s when I fully discovered the culture of skateboarding.

You were a staple at EMB (Embarcadero) in the early days. That was such a pivotal time in skateboarding. Not everybody who reads my interviews are tapped into skating. Can you paint a picture of what EMB was like in the early days? Also, did you realize how impactful that place/period would be to skateboarding?

Back in the late 80s and through the 90s EMB was the Mecca for street skating. So many skaters from around the world would come and visit us. I loved those times.

Who influenced your style? Street skating was kind of still being invented when you started. Who are some skaters you peeped early on and what were some of the things or people you took influence from?

Yes, people like Tommy Guerrero, Jim Thiebaud, Natus Kaupus, Mike Carroll and Henry Sanchez were very influential in how street skating evolved. I think I got most of my influence from skaters like Brian Lotti and Ray Barbee.

Heavy hitters. Hell yeah. What were some of the tricks you take credit for inventing and what were some NBD’s you got to witness in person?

I take credit for nollie front feeble grind, nollie front boardslide, switch inward, big heel flip, front nose to front tailslide and front nose 270 out the hard way. There are others, but this is a shortlist. I witnessed so many NBD’s go down at the Embarcadero. This was the time many, many tricks were being created. Witnessing Henry Sanchez do the fakie 5-0 fakie flip out was very memorable for me. I think that went down in 1991 or 92.

So cool man. What a time to be alive. EMB had a hard edge attitude and intimidating rep. You come off as a very positive, happy individual. How did you fit into EMB and the SF skate scene? Do you remember a time when you were like okay I got my G pass now?

Yeah, EMB was no joke back then. I got the pass because I was very young and me and my group of friends became the kid crew at EMB. We were more welcoming and kept the vibe chill.

So Pier 7 and Hubba Hideout were two other iconic spots. How did you guys branch off and start skating there. Was it different groups of skaters there at the time or pretty much all the same cats from EMB?

When Pier 7 came about, it was mostly the younger dudes from EMB that took hold of that scene and made it into what it was. Hubba Hide Out was pretty much a proving ground for all who came to SF.

Yes. Some of my favorite clips/photos of all time are from Hubba. You mentioned before that you were deep into graff for a while when you were a youth. Did you ever get to bomb with any SF legends are did any of those guys ever come around EMB? Did you ever get to paint any legendary SF spots?

I was so into graffiti when I was younger. Definitely got to go bombing with legends like Marvel, Ceiv and Sira. skateboarding and graffiti were one and the same back then. Even today I hit up every time I get a chance, which is usually in the mirror after I get out of the shower or some type of dusty window haha. TENS ONE.

TENS ONE represent. Old habits die hard man. That’s rad. So you were am for Dogtown which transitioned to Think and then you went to World. You famously have a “love child” part that never made the video. After that you got your name on a board for Clean Skateboards. You said you didn’t feel ready to be pro. Speak a little on your part not being included and going pro premature. Did that light a fire under you to get even better?

Yes, very good research. I did turn pro prematurely. I was part of the right crew and at the right time and place. Understanding that I wasn’t up to par but believing in myself and my potential really helped me to better myself on and off the board, so the fire was lit for sure.

What was it like being around Rodney Mullen and Rocco? Any crazy World park stories come to mind that maybe you haven’t shared before?

Being around Rocco was always a crazy experience. Everything he did was exciting! Shopping sprees, little contests amongst the crew, all sorts of things. At the world park we had a closet full of product, we always had new tees and fresh boards.

That’s every kids dream! So Expedition One was one of my favorite company’s. I always felt it was so underrated and the team was so sick!! What was it like skating for Expedition and how did that transition into Organika?

Ha ha good question. I loved expedition one too definitely one of my favorite sponsors. The way Organika came out of Expedition was from my very last pro model on Expedition. The name of the board was organically grown. The board fit my style so much my man Troy Morgan had the idea and gave me the opportunity to start Organika.

What a great opportunity. Organika was such a cool fit for you and such a fresh company. Speaking of good fits I wanna talk about Ipath for a second. You were one of the first people I saw skating the Cats which was such a tight shoe. But you had the first pro shoe for Ipath called the Panther. The Panther was equally as rad and right up your alley. How much say did you have in the design and what was your concept with those?

The panther! My first pro shoe! Everything about that shoe was designed by me. The goal was to create a shoe that didn’t allow you to break your laces and lasted longer. Also picked this design because it was very simple and clean. I could even wear the shoe to dinner while on a date.

That’s what was cool about both those models I wore the Cats to my first job interview haha! You are an LRG OG. Congrats on 25 years! Talk to me about the OG days vs where LRG is at now. The brand is so interesting and has spanned so many cultures and eras.

I love to hear that, my man! I hope you got the job ha ha. Yeah man definitely an LRG OG, one of the best sponsors I have ever had. LRG sent me to so many countries around the world with all of my friends who happen to be my teammates as well. Its a blessing to be a part of a brand that has made such a strong impact across so many cultures and continues to support skateboarding, artists and unique people everywhere.

I did get the job, worked there for almost 8 years! So you started Max Allure a few years back. You guys hit me up to do a couple drawings and sent me some boxes. I wanted to thank you again for that! You guys give artists and the youth an awesome platform and your team is incredible. What was the motivation to start Max Allure and what does the future look like for the brand?

Man, it was a pleasure working with you. We are all huge fans of your art and I personally love your style. The goal behind Max was to do just as you said, provide a platform for young skaters and artists to showcase their talents. 2025 is looking to be a strong year for us, we have just partnered with the distribution HLC and their boards are the best we have ever used. Can’t wait to send you a box of them.

Hell yeah! I was gonna ask about distribution. That’s awesome! You have always given so much back to skateboarding and the youth whether it be gear or just knowledge. You wrote a book called “My First Skateboard” and I can’t say enough good things about it. How did that process come to be and what was the idea behind it?

Ha thanks man! I refer to my children’s book “My First Skateboard” as “my best trick“. Seriously, the process was no joke after writing the story I thought I was done lol. However, there were so many steps that had to be taken to reach the finish line. And I’m so happy we did because “My First Skateboard” has been a tool over the years to introduce the world of skateboarding, and all of its positive attributes, to young children and their parents alike.

It’s really the first of its kind and is such an awesome tool for introducing everyone to skateboarding. In it there is a theme of inclusivity. I always used to think in skateboarding it’s very inclusive if you are included. So much has changed today in terms of “gatekeeping” and the culture. How do you view all of that from a Birds Eye view?

Oh yeah, the whole gatekeeping culture of skateboarding has changed tremendously. Sometimes I feel like I’m in a different world ha ha but the good thing about skateboarding in my experience is that it has always been inclusive, especially when it comes to different nationalities.

Yes I have met so many lifelong friends through skateboarding. What does your day to day look like nowadays? What are some goals you have for the future? I know you probably have a bunch more stories you wanna tell!

I love to hear that! I am looking to release more stories that promote skateboardings attributes. My goal in life is to share the gift of skateboarding.

Well you are killing it man, keep going!! What does core skateboarding mean to you and where do you feel like it is at in its evolution?

That’s a tough question my man. The core of skateboarding has always been connected to the culture of skateboarding. I am all about promoting the culture of skateboarding. The fact that one can find their community within skateboarding and develop lifelong friendships, shows how special it is. Hopefully, the core stays strong as we move into the future.

Great answer it’s definitely a balancing act. So I got a few quick hitters for you. I’m from Sonoma County. Did you ever skate Sonoma County much? Rosa park or Petaluma park?

No way! Santa Rosa Park was sick. I went there a couple times and had a fun time skating that double sided curb. Santa Rosa skaters were always highly respected by the EMB crew. There was a similar toughness between the two areas.

Yeah Santa Rosa scene is still going strong. Definitely some similarities with Rosa and the EMB crew. That double sided curb is fun as hell! I think Tony T and a bunch of other guys are building a DIY in Rosa as we speak. What is your favorite board graphic that isn’t yours?

I’d have to say the Tommy Guerrero dagger graphic is my all time favorite.

That leads me to my last question. You moved into Tommy Guerrero’s old spot when you were a youth and said you found that old drum thing from Animal Chin. Do you still have that in your possession?

Man!! I really wish I still had that drum. Definitely was the one from Animal Chin. Hopefully my mom stashed it away somewhere haha.

Well I really appreciate your time. You a real one Karl. 💪🏻

Appreciate you brother.

You can follow Karl @Karl_watson_ and @maxallureskateboards