South African skateboarding is getting another moment in the international spotlight as Brandon Valjalo joins an elite global roster for Cannonball, a major new skate film bringing together Red Bull Skateboarding and legendary skate publication Thrasher Magazine.
Set to premiere on 2 December 2026, the 35-minute production represents the first time in seven years that Red Bull Skateboarding has brought its full global team together for an official skate video. Filmed over two years across five continents, Cannonball is shaping up to be one of the year’s biggest releases for the global skateboarding community.
For South Africa, however, there is another reason to pay attention: Brandon Valjalo will be representing Mzansi alongside some of the most recognised names in the sport.
Brandon Valjalo Represents South Africa on the Global Stage
Valjalo’s inclusion in Cannonball is an important moment for South African skateboarding, placing local talent within a project featuring established international professionals and some of the most exciting emerging riders.
His appearance connects the South African skateboarding scene to a wider global conversation, demonstrating how local athletes can earn opportunities to share the same platform as internationally recognised names.
Although Valjalo is part of the featured cast rather than the film’s full-part lineup, his presence is significant. In skateboarding, even a handful of standout tricks can make an impression, particularly when they appear alongside footage from riders who continue to influence the direction of the sport.
The project also highlights the international reach of modern skateboarding, where talent, creativity and individual style can transcend geographical boundaries.
A Global Skate Crew Comes Together
Cannonball brings together an impressive collection of international skateboarding talent.
The main cast features full-length video parts from Jamie Foy, Yuto Horigome, Chloe Covell and Zion Wright, alongside major contributions from Gavin Bottger, Cordano Russell, Ryan Sheckler, Rome Collyer and CJ Collins.
The wider featured roster includes TJ Rogers, Torey Pudwill, Zoe Zeng, Felipe Gustavo, Gustavo Ribeiro, Angelo Caro, Brandon Valjalo, Madars Apse and Juni Kang.
With athletes representing countries across different continents, the film captures the diversity of modern skateboarding while bringing together different generations and approaches to street skating.
The collaboration also carries weight because of the two brands behind it. Red Bull Skateboarding brings its international athlete network and production capabilities, while Thrasher Magazine remains one of skateboarding’s most influential cultural platforms.
This is more than a collection of individual tricks. It is a snapshot of where global skateboarding stands in 2026.
From Olympic Gold to Street-Level Progression
One of the film’s biggest attractions is the opportunity to see established competition athletes and street skating icons in a different environment.
Yuto Horigome, a two-time Olympic gold medallist, returns with a major full-length street part. Away from the competition circuit, the Japanese superstar gets an opportunity to showcase the technical precision and creativity that have made him one of skateboarding’s most respected figures.
Australian teenager Chloe Covell is another major highlight. At just 16, she continues to challenge expectations around women’s street skateboarding.
Her Cannonball contribution includes a landmark achievement at San Francisco‘s legendary Wallenberg set, where she becomes the first woman to ollie the iconic obstacle before taking things further with a kickflip.
Jamie Foy also arrives with considerable attention surrounding his contribution. Already a two-time Thrasher Skater of the Year, Foy’s part features the footage behind his headline-making heelflip over a drawbridge in Boca Raton.
Meanwhile, Ryan Sheckler brings another career milestone to the project, earning his first-ever Thrasher cover following a standout trick filmed in Hamburg.
These individual achievements give Cannonball several compelling storylines beyond the scale of its international cast.
Why the Skate Video Still Matters
In an era dominated by short-form social media clips, the traditional full-length skate video continues to hold a special place in skateboarding culture.
A video part represents more than a collection of tricks. It reflects the time spent finding spots, dealing with failed attempts, navigating difficult terrain and working towards a moment that might last only a few seconds on screen.
That is what makes a project like Cannonball particularly interesting.
Rather than focusing on one athlete or a single competition, Red Bull has brought its entire global roster into one production. The approach recalls an era when skateboarding brands would take their teams on extended filming missions to create full-length productions.
Across two years and five continents, the riders have contributed footage that celebrates the personalities, progression and creativity behind the sport.
The film will also arrive during Thrasher’s annual Skater of the Year season, when major video parts and standout performances become central talking points within the skateboarding community.
When and Where to Watch Cannonball
The release will be celebrated through 15 premieres worldwide, including two major global premieres featuring the full cast in Tokyo, Japan, and Los Angeles, California.
Skateboarding fans will be able to watch the full 35-minute production from 2 December 2026, when Cannonball officially drops on Thrasher’s YouTube channel and Red Bull TV.
For South African fans, Brandon Valjalo‘s involvement provides an additional reason to tune in.
Ultimately, Cannonball is a celebration of skateboarding’s global identity, bringing together established icons, rising talent and different skate cultures under one banner.
And while the international roster is stacked with heavy hitters, seeing a South African skateboarder included in a production of this scale is a reminder that Mzansi belongs in the global skateboarding conversation.
The countdown to 2 December is on.
