This issue runs deep with travel, premieres, and hometown heroes doing their thing. “Banana Benders” brings a sun-soaked Queensland trip packed with hijinks and heavy tricks, while “Parto Safaari” keeps it low-key but lethal, silent but deadly on the streets. Europe gets a shout with “Postcard from Europe,” where TH and the Fruit Bowl crew spread the Aussie skate gospel abroad. The global vibes stay strong with the 3rd Grand Prix of Skateboarding, making it clear that this scene stretches way beyond backyard rails.
Anton Jeandet lays down some pub etiquette (because someone had to), and “Rain Dogs” turns out to be more no-show than showdown. Chris Wood gets the spotlight in a proper skate rat profile, and two big premieres drop—Seb’s raw local flick and Flip’s latest powerhouse video. The culture cuts wider too, with Josh Freese from the drum throne and Jon Toogood of Shihad adding a musical pulse, and the Sailyards RIP piece calling to reclaim the streets. Through it all, Bjorn Johnston lights up the cover with that unmistakable Kiwi style, front nose grinding his hometown into Slam’s history books.
