Slam Skateboarding – Spring 2026

Summary

Trent Fahey's Spring 2026 issue of Slam Skateboarding — Issue 251 — celebrates 50 Years of Hardcore with a rare double cover featuring Jedd McKenzie frontside airing on a boring machine at Sydney's Metro tunnel site and stalefishing the freshly repainted Hardcore bowl. The AU $19.95 issue runs with a theme of celebrating the filmer and photographer, those who capture the sport without riding the board.

Fahey's introduction recalls his own origin story: a friend's Handycam footage edited to Pixies' "Alec Eiffel" that became his sponsor-me video at 18. This issue profiles Sydney's new generation of filmers introduced by George Kousoulis, and Geoff Campbell discusses his upcoming Australian Nike SB video. The "Crust Report" covers Pizzey Bowl — the iconic, unforgiving concrete bowl built on an old rubbish tip at Miami, Gold Coast, in 1987, chronicled in Slam's very first 1988 issue with an un-named rollerblader flying over the channel. The 50 Years of Hardcore feature draws from a 500-page book celebrating the indoor venue that shaped Australian skateboarding. Eetu Toropainen's interview covers his journey from Finland to Australia. New Balance Numeric 340 gets a technical feature on its encapsulated PU midsole technology.

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Content Guide

▸ Features

p. — · 50 Years of Hardcore
A photo essay from a forthcoming 500-page book. The indoor venue that shaped Australian skateboarding from 1976 to today.

p.20 · Sydney's New Gen of Filmers
George Kousoulis introduces the next wave of skate videographers. The young shooters who will define how Australian skateboarding looks for the next decade.

p. — · Geoff Campbell's Nike SB Video
The cinematographer behind Australia's most anticipated skate video. Campbell on the filming, the editing, and the security-guard confrontations that come with the territory.

▸ Crust Report

p. — · Pizzey Bowl
James Turvey on the Gold Coast's "Suicide Bowl" — built 1987 on an old rubbish tip, featured in Slam's 1988 debut issue. The bowl that has humbled everyone from Steve Caballero to local legends.

▸ Interviews / Profiles

p. — · Eetu Toropainen
The Finnish skater on relocating to Australia. How the landscape, the skate scene and the concrete differ from Scandinavia.

p. — · Eli Waterson: New Gen
The next generation of Australian skate talent profiled. Waterson's approach, influences and what comes next.

▸ Gear

p. — · New Balance Numeric 340
Technical breakdown of the encapsulated PU midsole. A vulcanized shoe with the stability of a cupsole — responsive flick without sacrificing boardfeel.

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Editor's Take

Fahey's 50th-anniversary Hardcore issue does what Slam does best: it treats skateboarding as a culture with history, not just a sport with tricks. The double cover — one shot on a Sydney Metro boring machine, one in the refurbished Hardcore bowl — is a genuine collector's item. The "Crust Report" on Pizzey Bowl is the best read in the issue, tracing the bowl from its 1987 construction through Slam's first issue to today. Geoff Campbell's Nike SB video feature gives the production side its due. The weakness: the "New Gen" features (Eli Waterson, Sydney's filmers) are too brief to leave an impression. The issue also carries heavy brand content — New Balance and Nike get disproportionate editorial space. Best for: Australian skate historians and anyone who has ever dropped into Pizzey Bowl and survived.

Strengths
• Double cover is a genuine collector item
• Pizzey Bowl Crust Report is the best read in the issue
• Hardcore 50th anniversary photo essay has historical weight

Weaknesses
• "New Gen" profiles are too brief
• New Balance and Nike content blurs into advertorial

Verdict: Recommended — A landmark anniversary issue that balances history, culture and the next generation.