At 15 years old, Shawn Watson is on his way to making every professional wakeboarder take the younger generation very seriously. Shawn won the first stop of the 1999 Florida X-Cup, taking out seasoned veterans on his way, and to date is the only rider to be doing corkscrew 720s off the wake. He doesn’t have a lot to say about his own riding or style, but simply watching him ride will tell you everything you need to know. Realistically, Shawn might have been deserving of this notice over a year ago, but without a doubt this is not the last you will see or hear of Shawn Watson.
What else do you do besides ride wakeboards?
Hang out with my friends. I skate a little, not that much I guess, but when I have spare time there is a skate park down here that we go to. Trampoline – that helps me a lot for riding.
A lot of people are talking about your riding. Who do you talk about?
I’d have to say Gregg and Scott. I have been riding with Gregg a lot lately. It’s cool to watch him ride. He rips.
What have you been working on recently?
I’ve just been trying to get more consistent, and I’m working on a few new inverted spins and stuff. Basically trying to keep everything really consistent. I’m stoked to ride at the first tour stop.
Do you want to be known as an innovator or a competitor?
I want to compete, but I also want to be really innovative. I just want to make something for myself.
Your ideal day of wakeboarding?
No school, just go ride in the canal with
Shawn Moore, my friends Kelly, Shane and Brent.
Sponsors?
Liquid Force, Dragon, Quicksilver, Tommy’s Surf, Slalom and Guitar.
Up and comers from the Florida scene besides yourself?
I think Shane will be around for a long time, and little Brian Kennedy is ripping.
Money or power?
Both would be cool.
Who do you want to thank?
My sponsors, Shawn Moore – he has helped me out a lot and hooked me up with a bunch of people – and my dad, too.
