SLAM - Issue 245 Magazine

COVER: Every skater who visits this spot seems to come back with a story about the hostile vibes and heavy distractions that often rain down from the balconies above. Rome Collyer’s visit was no exception, requiring an ability to block everything out and focus on the task at hand. And that’s before contemplating how big and gnarly the rail is. Rome proves his SOTY status with a backside 180 reverse nosegrind, Redfern, Sydney. PHOTO: SAM COADY

ROME COLLYER – SLAM SKATER OF THE YEAR
With fiery red hair and a red-hot passion for skateboarding, Rome spends most of his time bouncing from one town to the next, crashing on couches and living out of a suitcase while on his mission to create epic video parts. In this issue, we chat about everything from his SOTY surprise to a battle with food poisoning, his recent travels, his VIP experience at the UFC, and the chaos behind his back 180 reverse nosegrind for this issue’s cover.

VPOTY, NGOTY AND HOF
Beyond Rome’s reign, there’s plenty more to celebrate. We also cover Gabriel Summers’ Video Part of the Year award with his mind-melting No White Flag section, Reef Condon’s New Gen of the Year award, and we pay homage to Brett Margaritis as he earns his rightful place in the Slam Hall of Fame.

NIKE SB AUSTRALIA – NORTH ISLAND CRUMBING
Nick Boserio provides a colourful account of the Australian Nike SB team’s tour in NZ, recounting tall tales of lost dogs, German backpackers, pirates, and the transformative power of the van. Brass is joined by Raph Langslow, Hayley Wilson, Ben Lawrie, Tai Wepa, Dante Narita-Johnson, Felicity Turner and Dylan Donnini.

SAMSUNG UNCOVERED
We take a deep dive behind Samsung Uncovered, a competition that gave Australian skaters a shot at major cash and exposure. You’ll meet the winners, including Tai Wepa, who took home $25k. We also check in with the other skaters who cashed in and earned $5k each – Noah Nayef, Ben Lawrie, Lenard Tejada, Rome Collyer and Dylan Donnini – to gain a deeper insight behind the tricks that turned into big bucks.

NEW GEN – DYLAN DONNINI
We sit down with Dylan Donnini, the Sydney powerhouse making waves with his ATV blend of transition and street skating. With a Nike trip to New Zealand just notched in his belt and a new part in the works, Dylan is firing it up!

PULL-OUT POSTER
Vans Skate – Rome Collyer