Innehållsförteckning för 247 Spring 2025 från Slam Skateboarding

Skateboarding has always moved in cycles of highs and lows, marked by booms and lulls. It’s no secret that some skate brands have cut budgets, and many pro skaters are clocking hours on second jobs to stay financially afloat. In this edition, we dive into the world of professional skateboarding – where navigating today’s landscape takes much more than just stacking clips. Through candid conversations, seasoned Aussie pros like Jake Hayes, Andrew Brophy, Dane Burman, Rob Pace, and Gabriel Summers share insights into the grind behind the glory, opening up about the challenges and ambitions that define pro skating in 2025. Nixen Osborne’s path from the remote desert towns of Western Australia’s Pilbara region to the vibrant scenes of Sydney and California is a story of raw talent and relentless…

Kevin Bækkel has travelled most of the east coast of Australia on numerous trips and can be seen sporting a Yellowbird T-shirt in practically every clip he’s brought out over the past few years, so it only made sense to slot him in for this issue’s Aussie Faves. Read on to find out about his connection to Aus, and what keeps the San Diego-based Norwegian native coming back. Besides the big crusty spots. Favourite Aussie slang or saying: “Oi! We’re running out of piss, hurry up, ya dog!” Favourite Australian band: AC/DC. Favourite Australian food: Steaks on Niddy’s [Nic Burton] grill, no doubt. Or those meat pies from that one shop in Ulladulla – not far from the skatepark. That place rips! [Hayden’s Pies]. Favourite Australian beer: Great Northern is…

The office I work in is right next to Newcastle’s Museum Park, or Civic, as it’s known to locals. I take it for granted that I can look out the window and watch some of the raddest ledge skating in the country whenever I want a distraction. More often than not, I can also see Will McDonald with his camera out, capturing the action. I took advantage of my proximity and sat down with Will one lunch break to discuss filming Rowan Davis for Girl’s latest film, Splinter. Will, first off, congratulations on Rowan’s new part and getting the curtains of the video. Prior to filming for Splinter, was Bin Kicker the first thing you’d released? Yeah, that was the first video that I made by myself, it was just…

Traditionally speaking, winter’s colder weather and shorter sunlight hours represent a time of going within, while spring’s returning warmth and longer periods of light represent a time of new beginnings. Perhaps this winter, the shorter days, cold nights, or rain may have set you back from skating as much as you would’ve liked? This issue, as we roll into spring, I’d like to address some topics around detoxing to support you in embracing the fresh energy that spring brings. You could think of detoxing in a similar way to cleaning your bearings or clearing the cobwebs off your skateboard, but for your mind. Detoxing is like a mental maintenance cleanse and reset for you. A First Push If you haven’t skated for a while, it’s normal to feel a little…

FOR THE FIRST HALF OF MARCH 2025, seven members of the Polar Skate Co. team were in Australia, riding their boards, riding in a van, or riding the current of the Murray River. Spending the majority of those two weeks scouring the scorched landscape of the southeastern corner of this great island for anything and everything to skate. We avoided both Melbourne and Sydney for skate spots and accommodation. Aside from a little time on the outer orbit of those sprawling metropolitan areas, we spent the rest of the road trip driving up the coast side of Victoria and New South Wales until we made it to Newcastle, stopping in a new town almost every night. Then, after a weekend reset in Newcastle, we turned our gaze inland and followed…

AGE: 19 LIVES: Sydney SPONSORS: Sunset Skate Shop, Vans [flow] “I’ve known Eden since he was a lil JIT, and witnessing his growth as a person and skating progression over the past two years has been nothing but impressive. Expect to see some more crazy shit from him!” – Kai Shimakage “For someone with so much talent, I don’t think I’ve ever seen a skater with a goofier stack than Eden. If he’s not doing some illegal trick down a huge set of stairs, he’ll be on his phone playing Clash Royale or listening to Nettspend. He’s a total pleasure to watch and I’m lucky to call him one of my closest mates.” – Joe Wilson…

Where are you based these days, and what gave you the idea to knock up a backyard vert ramp? I’m in south-west Brissie. I’ve been in this area for about 20 years now. Prior to building this ramp, I had a pretty wide four-foot mini with a six-foot extension on one side. It was super fun and came in handy during Covid times. We started renos on the house a few years ago, so the ramp had to come apart. After most of the renos were complete, I started to contemplate what sort of ramp I could build in the space, and thought, I might be able to squeeze a little verty in there. What made you go for a classic ’80s-style build? Mate, I’m a huge ’80s vert fan.…