Jul 6, 2009
Author: Adam Levitt
We’re back again with another edition of Cribs, but this time we’re not visiting the new wakeboard Mecca of Clermont, Florida. No we’re kicking it old school and heading back to Orlando, the place where it all started. Why Orlando was pre-destined as the wakeboard capital of the world is uncertain, although it may have something to do with that fact that it’s also the epicenter for waterskiing —although you’re probably never going to get any pro’s to vouch for that story. Do we really need to say anything more about Orlando that hasn’t been said already? Located smack dab in the middle of the Florida peninsula, it’s home to Mickey, Goofy and Pluto and the rest of the Disney crew. There’s lot’s of lakes, some filled with alligators, some not so much. Despite the previous two facts it’s pretty much it’s like any other big city in the States.
For this edition of we visit the home of a wakeboarder who needs little or even no introduction. Shawn Watson has been a pro for more than a decade, starred in the best wakeboard films, graced the pages of every wake magazine in the world, been on numerous podiums and is a member of the infamous Pointless Posse. If you want to talk about sponsors, he’s got that covered as well. Watson’s had a pro model with Liquid Force for 10 that’s been consistently one of their best selling boards. He’s also sponsored by Billabong, Nautique boats, Dragon, Monster Energy and Performance Ski & Surf. As one of the OG pro’s still on the scene, got it all including a dope house on the west side of Orlando.
Hiawassee
If you’ve picked up a wake magazine or seen a wake board movie within the past 6 years, this name should ring a bell. Lake Hiawassee has been one of the main lakes in the Greater Orlando Area that has seen it’s fair share of riding and media coverage. In fact I can’t think of one wakeboard movie that’s been released in the past 5 years that doesn’t include footage from here. It’s also been home to some of the biggest names in the industry. Riders such as Parks Bonifay, Rusty Malinoski, Danny Harf, and Randall Harris have all called Hiawassee home at one point or the other. The current residents of the lake are no slouches either. Chad Sharpe lives at the other end of the lake, while a group of Aussie’s including Dean Smith, Scotty Broome and Scottie Mackey live right around the corner while Jack Blodgett owns a house on the lake as well.
The lake has also played home to many pieces of wakeboard history as a handful of tricks and stunts have all gone down here. Remember Parks Bonifay’s huge step-up gap from All or Nothing or how about Rusty Malinoski’s massive gap that was a cover for Wakeboarding Magazine and also appeared in The Butter Effect? Or how about Chad Sharpe’s Double Toeside Indy Backroll, or one of Rusty’s many 1080’s? Most recently Danny Harf landed his Switch Toeside 1260 here last fall cementing Lake Hiawassee’s place in wakeboarding history.
Just like the lake itself, Watson’s house is just as famous, appearing in a couple of recent wakeboard videos. If you saw the Liquid Force team movie The Truth from a few years back, Watson’s backyard played host to the giant rail-to-pool-to-rail-to-lake set-up. Previous to this, Watson’s backyard was a 50cc dirtbike track that used get sessioned by all of the residents on the lake.
Since then, Watson has gone on to make major improvements to the backyard including laying an extensive interlocking brick patio around his pool and added a full screened in are to keep those pesky Florida bugs out. When we dropped by he was in the middle of putting up a wooden fence that would act as one wall for a proposed dog run for his two Pit Bulls, Marley and Tyson.
The house itself is a large bungalow that sits above the lake. Watson’s property has actually grown over the past couple of years. As Florida had been suffering through a two-year long drought, the lake is actually shrinking and has exposed at least 20 feet of shoreline in the process. Watson points out where the rail from The Truth actually ended; if they had the stunt still built today, riders would have been landing on grass instead of water.
The Trophy Room
Ok, so it’s not an entire room devoted to trophies, but Watson’s got some pretty serious hardware to brag about. All of his trophies line his mantle piece. 3 Pro Tour wins, 2 WWA US National titles and multiple podium finishes are few of his highlights of his successful career. He’s even got a few trophies from the annual Clear Lake barefoot contest, Feet on Fire. But the perhaps the biggest win of his career came last year at the 2008 Carnival. For those of you not in the know, The Carnival is perhaps the most pre-eminent rail contest on the planet. Watson has The Carnival belt hanging on his wall and by winning that contest he joins Parks Bonifay and Scott Byerly as the only champions; that’s some pretty exclusive company to be keeping.
Basic Info
Occupants: Shawn Watson, Chris O’Shea
Own/Rent: Own
Square Footage: 3000 sq ft
Amenities: 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
Location: Lake Hiawassee, Orlando, Florida
Vehicles: GMC Yukon, Yamaha YZ 125
Watercraft: Super Air Nautique 230
Pets: 2 Pit Bull; Marley & Tyson
Recreational Items: Pool table, Ping Pong table, swimming pool
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