I got my first introduction to Davey Watson (along with Mike Hoder) in their split section in the Shook Ruff Draft video in 2005. Their riding styles were contrasting and yet complimentary at the same time.
Later that same year I got to meet the duo in the flesh in Seattle. I don’t remember much about that initial introduction, but over the course of the next few years, Davey would become a common fixture in the Long Beach / LA scene and we got to spend a lot of time together. Predominantly while filming for the Ride video, Insight, when he would crash in Long Beach and roll out each day with Ryan Navazio and myself.
With a wealth of technical skill from his flatland background, mixed with a seemingly fearless penchant for rails, Davey could do pretty much anything he wanted on a bike. As One, The Shola video, Insight, Skavenger, and more, Davey’s video parts were on the cutting edge when they debuted and would still be top shelf if they came out today—upwards of 20 years later.
If nothing else, he left us all wanting more. Other than a few blips on the radar, mostly through hearsay, Davey fell into BMX obscurity, but he will always be a BMX legend. Ride In Peace Davey. —Jeff Z.
