BOARD HISTORY
First custom order by Ralph Riddell, circa 1973 The board was sold.
Post production leg rope plug, right hand side.
Extensive repairs to tail and rear rails, mainly with Q-cells. Some spray has been added.
Collected by Ralph Riddell , circa 2001.
On display at Ralph Riddell Surfboards
34 Flinders Street Wollongong NSW  2500 
Phone  02  4228 - 0988
Dimensions and photographs, 12.03.20002
Thanks, Ralph.

DESIGN HISTORY
Original design 1973 by Duncan and Malcom Campbell  (USA) characterized by forward concave leading to double concave each side of the centre fin with two keel- type fins set on the rails ( radically toed-in and cambered). 

The bottom design has  similarities with the shape of Rogallo hang gliders, first designed in the late 1940's as a method of recovering returning space capsules by NASA.
F. M. Rogallo predicted in 1949 that "Portable delta wings will give bith to a popular sport" 
 - quoted in Desfayes (1974) page 41.
By the early 1970's, hang-gliding was a sport in rapid transition with a large amount of media exposure.

As a sign of the powerful influence of Australia in world surfing at this time, the name Bonzer (also Bonzar, 
Bonza) is an Australian expression for “excellent”.

In late 1973, the Campbell Brothers lisenced the design to Bing Surfboards for commercial development.
The design then became associated with Bing's head shaper, Mike Eaton, who had played a significant role 
in the development of the Twin fin 1 in 1970. See image and notes, below.
The Bing models were noted for the wedged Bonzer decal that was laminated on the side fins.

Australian exponents of the design included ...
Peter Townend (Gordon and Smith Surfboards). See image below.
Ian Cairns (Gordon and Smith Surfboards),  rode  a Bonzer to first place, 1973 Smirnoff Contest, Laniäkea ,
Hawaii and Terry Richardson (Skipp Surfboards). See image below.

Preceeded (contempoary?) by the Tri-fin of 1971, the design had some influence on Simon Anderson's 
Thruster of 1981.

Further adaptation in 1988, the Phazer - a Stinger/Thruster adaptation ( 3 similar fins with 2 small Bonzer
D-Fins) initially credited to Rusty Priessendorfer for Rusty Surfboards (USA).
Later identified as another original design by the Campbell Brothers.
See John Wythe White :Surf Wars :The Bonzar,  June 16, 1999
http://www.honoluluweekly.com/archives/coverstory%201999/6-16-99%20Boards/6-16-99%20Boards.html

REFERENCES
OTHER BONZERS
#198 Weber Bonzer
#221 Cooper Bonzer
MAGAZINES
Articles
1. Jim Neece : "The Bonzer" Surfer magazine Vol  14 # 3 September 1973 page 64
See image below.
2. Mick Mock : "Richo's Choice'' 
 in Deep magazine , No 18 Spring 2000, pages 22 to33 
3. John Wythe White :Surf Wars :The Bonzar,  June 16, 1999
http://www.honoluluweekly.com/archives/coverstory%201999/6-16-99%20Boards/6-16-99%20Boards.html
4. Steve Barilotti : Belief System : The Bonzer Saga
The Surfers Journal 2004? Volume 13 No. 2 pages?
Advertising : 
BOOKS
Warshaw, (2005) page 73.
CONDITION: 6.