Slam 106

This issue of Slam kicks off with a Melbourne fairy tale: every New Year's Day, a famous three-stair in the heart of the city becomes skateable for one day only. Local skaters gather on Swanston Street to throw down tricks at a spot that's off-limits the rest of the year—proving some dreams only come true if you’re there at the right time.

Then it’s off to Queensland for “Teen Queens,” a coming-of-age road trip featuring Luke Croker, Dave Harris, Jake Duncombe, Karl Bayldon, and Scott Standley. These teenage shredders navigate the highs and lows of skate trips: road rash, hospital visits, junk food, and sunburn, all while stacking clips across the Sunshine State.

In “Fugitives,” the mag checks in with a crew of Kiwi skaters who’ve swapped New Zealand’s shores for Australia’s streets. Josh Rio, Pedro Day, Nick Mitchell, and others share what it’s like leaving home and finding a new one across the ditch, embracing the Aussie lifestyle from “cheer bro” to “g’day mate.”

Chad Bartie returns for another wild ride, leading a Billabong tour from Fremantle to Bondi alongside Renton Millar and a cast of hard-hitters. Along the way, they hit some of Australia’s gnarliest spots and dodge the usual skate trip disasters—mostly.

This issue's New Gen spotlight shines on Julian “Mowgli” Somerville, a wild, raw Melbourne skater whose jungle roots and animalistic instincts fuel his explosive street skating.

Bonus extras include a \$1,000 spending spree at Kwala’s warehouse and a centre spread of Dorfus’ silky back Smith grind—pure inspiration to plaster your wall with.