Channel Islands - Bonzer 5 Shelter

SCALE 1-5 - Rating lowest (1) to highest (5)

FLEX & FEEL		USER FRIENDLY
DURABILITY		PADDLING
SPEED		CARVING
RAIL TO RAIL		POCKET SURFING

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Noel get’s his hands on two Bonzer 5 Shelter boards from Channel Islands Surfboards. One’s a groveler at 5’7 x 19 1/8 x 2 3/8 and the other a standard short board at 5’9 x 18 7/8 x 2 5/16. 

I really enjoyed the Bonzer says Salas but he did need a little help from Duncan Campbell on how to maximize the boards capabilities. The first week of surfing the boards were tough as Salas quotes as he had to shift his weight for a more back footed approach to the boards design. As time went on in the videoing of the review Noel states that he loves the Bonzer and he is sad for the review to be over.

Here is what the Channel Islands website has to say about the Bonzer 5 Shelter.
“Since 1969 only a few miles and some of California’s best point breaks separated Al Merrick and The Campbell Brothers, Malcolm and Duncan. Unbeknown to most, Al and Malcolm began working together in 1985, when Malcolm came on board and shaped for Al/CI for over 20 years. now 30 years on, a design offering is born out of that experience and mutual respect.

The Shelter model is our contemporary Bonzer 5 shortboard. It’s name was inspired by the 2001 film, Shelter by Chris Malloy and Moonshine Conspiracy. We provided a 6’2″ and a 6’4″ for the film. The boards were ridden by Taylor Knox, Donovan Frankenreiter, and a cast of visiting surfers. The Shelter is primarily a squash tail, and can be custom ordered with a swallow, round pin, or thumb tail. It is a versatile board that works well in all conditions. When deciding on size, go with your favorite dimensions, taking in consideration the conditions and type of waves you anticipate using the board for. Utilizing the Bonzer 5 system, which we have developed and refined over the last 34 years, the Shelter provides quick easy rail to rail transition, and unparalleled drive out of turns. It also maintains speed exceptionally well through cutbacks, and has been known to have an uncanny ability to navigate through the barrel. We have been working for years toward getting the Bonzer fully into the mix at the highest levels; with CI that time has come. Have at it and enjoy the Bonzer Experience.” -Malcolm and Duncan Campbell

The goal of this dynamic collaboration is to bring the Bonzer, one of surfing’s most unique and original designs, to the forefront and to continue CI’s tradition of surfers building quality surfboards.