How the iconic Belco bowl got its web
The annual pilgrimage to the bowl to paint the iconic web is a decade long tradition. Over its 25 year history the bowl has taken on many iterations but the cobweb inspired by the late Todd Webster is now synonymous with the Belco Bowl Jam, Australia's largest and longest running skate event. It’s an image that is broadcast around the world every February. Meet the team behind the spiritual painting ceremony.
Belco Bowl Jam is run by skaters for skaters and the task of getting the bowl looking her best has been no different. It’s been a labor of love and one the current foreman Cons describes as ‘spiritual’ as the build up to the jam approaches. It’s a team event and one many people have contributed time, paint, passion and hard work.
We spoke with Canberra skate historian and photographer David Pang on the progression of the bowl design. The first time the bowl was painted full was a flame motif that was commissioned by the government. Before that the bowl maintained its original concrete finish with the edition of blue painted tiles around the edge. In its 10th year Nike came on board as a sponsor and the bowl turned all blue. This became quite a challenge for the skater struggling to gauge the depth and invert. So this set in motion the pursuit of a design that could highlight the bowl transition. At the time the Creature team were touring and as a nod to them a pentagram was added into a black design. The loss of Canberra skating legend Todd Webster saw a tribute painted on the bowl and it was shortly after that that the cobweb was born.
Photos By David Pang
The web has also evolved through the years in 2016 Luke Brown and the team transformed the web design into what we see today.
“Luke also arranged the deal for paint and supplies to be funded from local gov, which still holds. Luke put hard yards into it for several years”
The design has been a calling card and a sign of respect to visiting skate teams and paid tribute to legends lost. This year the bowl goes white with the 25th Anniversary logo painted by Eddie Mo on the bottom. The 2026 white out will no doubt be the perfect stage for Belco Bowl Jam’s latest chapter. Canberra Skateboarding, David Pang and Luke Brown have all collected an amazing archive of that history check out their pages for more.
