bonzers.....the quad fad is over

[Beerfan]

Enforced dryness lasted longer than expected. But, finally, had a few surfs last few day, on the Campbell Bros 7'2" bonzer five fin egg "return to the water board".
Only midlengths I've ever mucked around on have been classic cheapo "funboards": mate's wives eight footers (with pretty flowers on em) and five times a year on summer weekends work friends' boards. Hated em all. Over rockered, soft railed, relatively heavy slugs. Poop.
But bugger me the bonzer is friggin awesome. Supposed to be something to strengthen the pipe cleaner arms and be a bit gentle on the back but this thing just has something about it.
Too true that when you get em on rain with just a bit of curve in the wave face it's WOOOSHKA. Lots of web talk about them having a "fifth gear", I reckon (ha, expert after three surfs on it!) they are like a single with a turbo fitted. It's not always there but hit the right revs and it just accelerates with turbo boost and a bit of the charisma is revealed.
One turn today, meant to be a gentle thing to guard my back, became a searing wraparound backhand cuttie (well, at least felt like it, and that's all that counts eh), just cause the board said so.
Sorry Steve this one won't be for sale, even when the back allows return to shortboards. Beautiful foil, great weight and magic rocker working with that mental bottom and trippy fins.
Sorry, bit excited, happy to be back in the water.

Would love one of their bonzer eggs. Jealous!

[Davros]

Yep had a 6'8 for about 3 years now, ride it mainly in Autumn and am always happy as larry after riding it, I dig the slide into the wave once the boards been caught by the power of the wave, have never been caught in the lip on take off ever on this board, have moved the 6.5 fin up an 1/8 from the recommended 5 3/4 from the tail as for me it felt a little stiff on back hand but thats proably because I'm not getting my back foot far enough back and/or I've come off riding stand shortie from summer.

Rhino Glassing at Mona vale are now making them under licence, I'm looking a 6'7 Russ Short model now.

Russ Short in Mexico

http://bonzer5.com/film/super-8/

[JaM71]

Saw a beautiful octafish today, hurriedly left the store before any damage was done.
Been thinking about that board ever since, any of you gentlemen still on your bonzers and have any new observations to add?

Anyone ridden a Campbell bros octafish on the east coast?

[JET01]

Yep had a 6'8 for about 3 years now, ride it mainly in Autumn and am always happy as larry after riding it, I dig the slide into the wave once the boards been caught by the power of the wave, have never been caught in the lip on take off ever on this board, have moved the 6.5 fin up an 1/8 from the recommended 5 3/4 from the tail as for me it felt a little stiff on back hand but thats proably because I'm not getting my back foot far enough back and/or I've come off riding stand shortie from summer.

Rhino Glassing at Mona vale are now making them under licence, I'm looking a 6'7 Russ Short model now.

Russ Short in Mexico

http://bonzer5.com/film/super-8/

Love digging up old threads....

Are you still on a bonzer Davros?

I really like the Russ short model too. Would love a rounded pintail.

[Davros]

Nah Jet, I creased the nose and traded it in a moment of pure stupidity. I was just thinking of it today a Curly with pitching off shore blowing 3/4 ft racing almost shore breaks. Actually it was chaos there today, someone in the water commented it was like Snapper, there were drop ins, boards flying everywhere, guys getting covered up, blokes on body boards, grommets on the inside risking a 6'6 in the head, injuries. It was hectic but also fun but bonzer would have made it better.

Mike Psillakis still shaping them here and glassed by Rhino. Wild things surf shop sell them in Sydney.

[JET01]

Cheers man. Might look into it for my next newy.

[Drailed]

Guys, check zak surfboards- got a couple on special for $880!

[JET01]

I just had a look at the website but couldn't see any sales.
If I had the coin, I'd have bought the 6'4 egg on the spot.

I've got a few boards I need to get rid of first before I can get a new bonzer.

[batoes]

Hey Jet - i've got a few bonzers. Really enjoying them.







This is the russ short model in a 5 fin with a pin tail. 6'3, 19 3/4, 2 1/2. I only use it when it's head high and over - and it goes really well. Great winter step-up board. I have a 5'6 mlv - which is my fav board in my quiver. These were made by Malcolm on his last trip out here, but Mike Psillakis does them under license and they are excellent. Get in touch with Juan at Rhinolaminating.

Davros is right - wildthingsgallery have a few of Malcolm's boards left as do the shop next door. Those eggs on zaks look the goods - would love one at 5'10. None are cheap!

Jet if you ever get down South of Wollongong, send me a message and you can take the russ for a spin (swell providing).

[tootr]

a Russ Short is a thing of beauty...

[batoes]

very, very nice - digging that irish green, too.

[diggerdickson]

That is nice

[steve shearer]

Saw a beautiful octafish today, hurriedly left the store before any damage was done.
Been thinking about that board ever since, any of you gentlemen still on your bonzers and have any new observations to add?

Anyone ridden a Campbell bros octafish on the east coast?

Yeah I've got a 5'10" which I ride pretty much every day on the East Coast.
I love it.

[steve shearer]

I've got the blef gullwing in there at the moment that MrMik lent me and it's all I've used in the board since he gave it to me.

I'm meaning to write up a ride report about it.

[Drailed]

You surf a 5'10 octafish Steve, how tall are you?

[Trev]

You surf a 5'10 octafish Steve, how tall are you?

Short.

[JET01]

Hey Jet - i've got a few bonzers. Really enjoying them.







This is the russ short model in a 5 fin with a pin tail. 6'3, 19 3/4, 2 1/2. I only use it when it's head high and over - and it goes really well. Great winter step-up board. I have a 5'6 mlv - which is my fav board in my quiver. These were made by Malcolm on his last trip out here, but Mike Psillakis does them under license and they are excellent. Get in touch with Juan at Rhinolaminating.

Davros is right - wildthingsgallery have a few of Malcolm's boards left as do the shop next door. Those eggs on zaks look the goods - would love one at 5'10. None are cheap!

Jet if you ever get down South of Wollongong, send me a message and you can take the russ for a spin (swell providing).

Thanks for the kind offer.
They are some really good looking boards. The 6'3 is spesh. M

[Cuttlefish]

Did you duel for set waves with Roy?