Campbell Brothers Surfboards - The Bonzer Story
For anyone who loves the feeling of riding a wave, there's a story that really matters, and it’s about a design that changed how surfboards were made. This story comes from the Campbell brothers, Malcolm and Duncan, and it centers on their creation, the Bonzer. It’s a design that, in a way, has given so much back to the sport of surfing, something that has truly made their own lives richer. You see, the Bonzer is, quite simply, the very first example of what a modern surfboard could be, setting a standard for many others who came after.
When we think about who might be the best people to get these special Bonzer boards from, it's pretty clear. It's the folks who thought it up first, the inventors themselves. While, you know, other people have come along and tried to make something similar to the original, there’s a real difference when it comes from the source. The Campbell brothers, with their deep connection to the ocean and their inventive spirit, really brought something special into being for surfers everywhere.
Their journey into creating these groundbreaking boards began a good while ago, shaping what we now know about how surfboards can perform. The way they approached making boards was, you know, quite different for their time, focusing on how the board would move through the water with more ease and speed. This focus on performance and a fresh way of thinking about board design is, in some respects, what makes their work so important to the history of surfing.
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Table of Contents
- Who Are the Campbell Brothers, Anyway?
- What Makes the Bonzer Design So Special?
- The Russ Short Model - A Classic Campbell Brothers Surfboard
- Other Noteworthy Campbell Brothers Surfboards
- How Do Campbell Brothers Surfboards Come Together?
- The Evolution of the Bonzer Experience
- The Campbell Brothers Surfboards Legacy
- A Look Back at Campbell Brothers Surfboards
Who Are the Campbell Brothers, Anyway?
The Bonzer surfboard design, which has had such a big impact, is something brought into being by two brothers from California: Duncan and Malcolm Campbell. People often just call them the Campbell brothers, and they are, basically, the minds behind this whole idea. They started working on the first versions of this design quite a while ago, and that early work eventually led to everything we see today with Campbell Brothers Surfboards.
Malcolm and Duncan Campbell came into the world in 1952 and 1955, respectively. Their connection to surfing and their inventive thinking really shaped their path. It was, in a way, their first chance to actually work inside a real surfboard factory that marked the start of their professional journey, leading to what they called "Bonzer vehicles" and, of course, the company we know as Campbell Brothers Surfboards.
Personal Details - The Campbell Brothers
| Name | Malcolm Campbell | Duncan Campbell |
| Birth Year | 1952 | 1955 |
| Role | Co-Creator, Shaper | Co-Creator |
| Known For | The Bonzer Surfboard Design | The Bonzer Surfboard Design |
What Makes the Bonzer Design So Special?
The original three-fin Bonzer, which the Campbell brothers, Malcolm and Duncan, first put together in December of 1970, was, you know, really far ahead of its time. This design was something quite new, offering a different way for a surfboard to move across the water. It was, in some respects, a true step forward in how boards were made and how they performed, giving surfers something more to work with.
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They also came up with double concave contours, a feature that they invented. This was a pretty big deal because it changed how water flowed underneath the board, helping it go faster and turn more smoothly. The whole idea behind the Bonzer was to formulate a board that gave the surfer more control and more speed, and they certainly achieved that with their unique approach to design, which, you know, was quite thoughtful.
The Russ Short Model - A Classic Campbell Brothers Surfboard
The Russ Short model was, for a good while, their most sought-after Bonzer shape during the middle to late 1970s. This particular board is, you know, a perfect example of what a 70s Bonzer looked like. It has some very distinct features: rails that are somewhat boxy and have a firm edge, a wide point set a bit further forward, a nose that looks a little like a bird's beak, a tail that is quite slender, and a deep Bonzer concave shape.
The Russ Short is, basically, one of their preferred boards, a reliable choice. Russ Short himself, along with Duncan, Cliff Collinge, and Malcolm, all rode versions of this board shape during that period. It's used, most of the time, with a three-fin setup, which is how it performs its best, giving a good feel on the wave. This particular Campbell Brothers surfboard really shows off the core ideas of their early work.
Other Noteworthy Campbell Brothers Surfboards
Beyond the Russ Short, the Campbell brothers have brought forth other interesting shapes, each with its own character. There's the Bumblebee, for instance, which is, you know, a copy of one of the shapes that Duncan and Malcolm themselves rode between 1973 and 1978. This board is meant to be ridden shorter than what you might consider an average board. It has a tail that's quite wide and curved, measuring about 9 1/4 inches to 10 1/4 inches from one corner to the other.
Then there's the Octafish. This one is, you know, "not a fish" board, even though it does look a little bit like one. It has its own unique characteristics that set it apart. The Shelter board is another one that works well with different tail shapes, like swallow, squash, or round tails, giving surfers options for how they want their Campbell Brothers surfboard to perform.
They also have the V5, which is, you know, a really good mix of old and new. It takes ideas from one of the earliest board shapes made by Dick Brewer and Steve Morgan back in 1979, bringing together that vintage feel with a modern touch. There's also the Bonzer Biscuit, which you can find through the official Channel Islands Surfboards Europe store, showing how their designs have spread and influenced others.
How Do Campbell Brothers Surfboards Come Together?
When it comes to how these boards are made, the Campbell brothers have also looked at new ways of doing things. Their carbon fiber boards, for example, are known because they are so light, move very quickly, and last a good long time. This use of carbon fiber really helps with how the board feels underfoot and how it performs in the water, which is, you know, a big deal for surfers.
There's also a company called Dark Arts that brings together the strength and easy movement of carbon fiber with the skill of expert shapers. This combination helps create high-performance surfboards that really stand out. It’s a pretty good example of how the core ideas of Campbell Brothers Surfboards can be applied with modern materials to make something truly special.
You can find boards like the 5'10 x 20 3/4 x 2 9/16, which Malcolm Campbell himself shaped, or the 7'0 x 21 1/4 x 2 7/8, showing the range of sizes and designs available. The boards often come with a True Ames center Bonzer fin, which is a key part of the Bonzer system, helping the board work just right. This commitment to specific components, you know, helps keep the original design's spirit alive.
The Evolution of the Bonzer Experience
The Campbell brothers see the Bonzer experience as something that's not just a big change, but more about growing and developing over time. It's about how thoughts, feelings, and awareness can grow and change. This idea of evolution is, you know, central to their philosophy, suggesting that surfing and the boards themselves are always moving forward, always getting better.
They made some green boards that were ridden by Taylor Knox and Donovan Frankenreiter in a film, which shows how their boards have been part of significant moments in surfing culture. This visibility, you know, helps share the Bonzer story with a wider audience. The ongoing conversation about their boards is clear too, with a good number of people showing their appreciation online, like the 8,942 likes and 2 people talking about them mentioned previously.
There's even an interview with Malcolm Campbell from May 28, 2023, as part of TRUE AMES Fin Talk Vol 4, which is something that has been available through Surge for a while. This kind of ongoing discussion and recognition, you know, really speaks to the lasting influence of Campbell Brothers Surfboards and their Bonzer design.
The Campbell Brothers Surfboards Legacy
The Campbell brothers have, basically, wanted to give something back to surfing, a sport that has enriched their lives so much. Their Bonzer design is, in a way, a testament to that desire, showing how innovation can truly benefit a whole community. They were the ones who first came up with this design in the early 1970s, and their work has had a lasting effect on how surfboards are made and ridden.
Their journey, from those first opportunities in a real surfboard factory to becoming the creators of Bonzer vehicles and Campbell Brothers Surfboards, is a story of passion and dedication. It's pretty clear that they've stayed true to their original ideas, even as others have tried to make similar boards. Their focus has always been on creating something that genuinely helps surfers get more out of their time on the waves.
A Look Back at Campbell Brothers Surfboards
This discussion has touched upon the Campbell brothers, Duncan and Malcolm, who brought the Bonzer surfboard design into being. We looked at how this design, first developed in December of 1970, was truly ahead of its time, becoming a foundational example for modern surfboards. We talked about specific boards like the Russ Short model, a very popular choice in the mid to late 70s, known for its distinct shape and how it performs with a three-fin setup.
We also explored other creations from Campbell Brothers Surfboards, such as the Bumblebee, a replica of boards they rode in the 70s, and the Octafish, which has a unique look but isn't a traditional "fish" board. The Shelter board, with its adaptability to different tail shapes, was mentioned too. We considered the materials they use, like carbon fiber, which makes their boards light, fast, and durable, and how collaborations with companies like Dark Arts help create high-performance boards.
The conversation also covered the Campbell brothers' philosophy, viewing the Bonzer experience as an evolution of thought and consciousness, and their desire to contribute positively to surfing. The presence of their boards in films and their engagement with the surfing community, as seen in online interactions and interviews, further highlight their lasting impact on the sport and the world of surfboards.
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