Table of contents for 228 Summer 2020 in Slam Skateboarding

As we approach a new year, it’s easy to reflect on the derailed trainwreck that was 2020 and wonder how we were led into this whole ugly mess. And with our world leaders throwing around the same rhetorical phrase, “new normal” – which irks the shit out of me – it’s impossible to shake that feeling that life ain’t ever going to be what it used to be. But if dealing with a pandemic has taught skateboarders anything, it’s that there’s plenty more to appreciate close to home. In this edition, you’ll notice that the array of groundbreaking photos featured are far more localised than usual. We may not be able to travel, but Australian skaters are still getting out there and being productive. Jackson Pilz is irrefutably one of…

It’s a Friday arvo when I catch Stevie Stipanovic on the phone and he’s in a pretty good mood. This morning, while he was driving to work at a building site in Western Sydney, his car overheated on the highway, which sounds like a total stitch-up. But Stevie doesn’t seem too worried about it. In fact, I think he was lowkey stoked. He took the day off and went skating with his mates instead. Tonight, he’s planning on a few beers at a friend’s photo exhibition at the Pass ~ Port Store and Gallery, but he insists that he won’t be going too hard because he’ll be skating this weekend. Between shooting photos for this interview and working on a new part, Stevie is staying productive. After almost an hour…

14 years old. LIVES IN Duns Creek, NSW. SPONSORS: Vans, Volcom, Element and Sunday Hardware. “Little Dragon has been skating since he was three and has been flipping out of back tails since he was in primary school. It’s safe to say he is one of the best out there at the moment and he’s barely even gotten started.” – George Kousoulis “Rome is a cheeky 14-year-old who can do any trick he wants. The tricks he’s already done on spots around Newcastle are ridiculous, and it’s only just the beginning for him. Rome’s squeaky voice is starting to fade away, his balls are dropping, and he’s starting to get some bigger pop. I can’t wait to see what this little bastard does. Keep killing it Rome, and in a…

Dave Chami explains the process for this trippy, black and white photo series, and how he took the studio to the streets. I recently came across an old skate photo from the 1990s where the skater was silhouetted against a white wall. I loved how you could really see their form without necessarily knowing who it was at first. I wanted to try to recreate something similar with some of the people I skate with, so I looked into renting a studio to try to shoot some myself. I then made a list of obstacles that I could beg, borrow or steal to take to the studio. It only took one visit to Taylor Square to attempt to move one of the bollards there, before I realised I had bitten…

Over the years, you’ve done some insane shit on your skateboard. What trick would be the highlight for you and why? Probably the kickflip over the fence, or the kickflip wallride over the bump to bar. They were both in Holy Stokes. What’s next after this Vans colourway project? I’ll just keep skating and hopefully get out of Queensland a bit. Maybe a Vans Australia video, who knows? Are you keen to go back and do stints abroad again – if the pandemic ever ends, or has this Vans project helped you realise that you can be just as productive from home with the right motivation? Like Chima, for example. Yeah, I’ll still do all the trips and stuff but it’s nice to know you can do it in your…

CREATURE Kevin Baekkel – Swamp Lurker 8.6” From $119.95 creatureskateboards.com @creaturefiends ROSALINE Mater Dei Falsus 8.0”, 8.25”, 8.375”, 8.5”, 8.8” From $119.99 myrosaline.com@rosaline.skateco FOLKLORE Tally Ho – Warm Press 7.75”, 8.0”, 8.125”, 8.25”, 8.375”, 8.5”, 8.75” From $74.95 folklore.com.au @folkloreskateboards SANTA CRUZ Tom Asta – Night Owl Powerply 8” From $129.95 santacruzskateboards.com.au @santacruzoz SPINIFEX Coloured Logo From $40 spinifexskateboards.com @spinifexskateboards OJ Nick Boserio – Lizard Elite Hardline 101a 54mm From $69.95 ojwheels.com @ojwheels CRAWLING DEATH Embroidered Cap From $50 crawlingdeath.com.au @crawling_death PERSONAL Taylor Square From $59.95 personaljoint.com @personal_joint CONVERSE CONS One Star Pro From $130 converse.com.au @converse_cons NEW BALANCE NUMERIC NM22 From $130 newbalance.com.au/men/shoes/skateboarding@nbnumericasia VANS Sk8-Hi Pro Jackson Pilz From $149.95 vans.com.au @vansaustralia INDEPENDENT Polished Mid 149 From $99.90 independenttrucks.com @independenttrucksoz ACE 44 (5.75”) Raw/Polished From $89.99 acetrucks.com @acetrucks DSCO Icy Blocks Orange Quadrant 14 Inch Skateboard Ribs/Rails From $19.99 dscobearings.com @dscobearings…

Joel Rea is a 37-year-old skateboarder from the Gold Coast, but he’s better known for his highly technical surrealist paintings. A world-renowned fine artist, Joel takes influences from all over the place, painting the tigers from Dreamworld; the violent waves that he grew up surfing; New York streetscapes; and celebrities like Chris Hemsworth, The Veronicas, and Mick Fanning. One of his most famous works is called ‘Crossroads’, and it features a city street littered with tourists, a tiger, a naked toddler and a mural where Jesus is being crucified on an iPhone. Deep in the back corner, Dylan Rieder is boning a backside flip. It’s a sunny arvo in late November when I drop into Joel’s place in Tallebudgera Valley on the Gold Coast to ask him about his successes…

22 years old | LIVES IN Ballina, NSW RIDES FOR Antihero [Flow through Project Distribution], Vans, Japan National, Ace Trucks, DSCO Bearings, The Bumbag Co and Truck Stop Skate Shop Hey, Jakob. What are you up to right now? Your Instagram Stories revealed a pretty red-hot karaoke session last night. What was happening there? At the moment I’m with a few mates coming back from Toowoomba from our friend Josh Weribone’s birthday. We had a rad day out skating, then after the official afterparty a few of us were keen to get onto some karaoke, so we all made our way to a pub called The Shamrock for the after-afterparty. I was denied entry because all I’ve got for ID is an out-of-date passport [laughs], but after a lot of…