This week we dive into the fascinating journey of Karl Watson, a skateboard legend hailing from the streets of Oakland, California. From his early days running with a rough crew of kids to a chance encounter that led to an unexpected friendship and business partnership, Karl's life story is a rollercoaster of grit, grinds, and good times. He takes us back to the Embarcadero (EMB) era, the golden age of skateboarding, when individuality thrived. Karl reflects on how social media has transformed skateboarding, and we get a glimpse into the humble origins of the crooked grind. Along the way, he shares his passion for introducing beginners and their parents to the world of skateboarding, his journey to going pro, and his knack for spotting talent, including the discovery of the renowned Nyjah Houston. It's a tale of friendship, innovation, and the enduring stoke of skate culture.

A whole bunch more coming next week in part 2!

----

Sponsors:

Domestika: Check out our producer's course on recording, editing, and mixing audio for podcasting

Braille Army+: Join Braille Skateboarding's membership platform and get 1:1 help from Aaron Kyro

----

Links:

Maxallure Skateboards

Embarcadero in the 90's

My First Skateboard

My First Skateboard, Jonas meets Jack

FTC’s Penal Code

Theme song: Show Introduction by The Soul Surfers