Ken Gibbons and Bonzer, Bootlegs and All.
This edition of Australian pro skateboarders and companies I did not know existed is brought to you by Ken Macleod, who posted a picture of a Ken Gibbons pro model. I tried to find something about it/him (Ken) and that led me to the photography of Chris Stroh, whose portfolio is primarily surfing, but also includes some 80’s era skateboarding. That’s Ken in the photo above, in the bowl at a place called “Five Dock,” circa 1986. Unfortunately, Ken was the victim of a hit-and-run and died in 2006. I scraped the web for more bits and pieces on Ken and Bonzer and managed to find a few items.
The blue deck photos from Ken Macleod is thought to be a Japanese bootleg of the Bonzer model. Black deck photo: @tintoptoy
Ken photos courtesy of Chris Stroh. Top left: Flemington ’87. Others: Five Dock around ’86
Here’s another uncredited photo of Kenny I found on the web. Leave a comment if you know the photog or the original source.
Bonzer Skateboards was originally an Australian brand that was first registered in 1986 by John Desmond Field. The trademark is listed as lapsed, but there are what looks to be some generic cruiser/longboards out there now with the Bonzer name on it. Theres’ a very obvious Pushed influence here. I have to admit I thought “Manly” was being used as an adjective but it refers to Manly, New South Wales. Bonzer is also a kind of surfboard type or brand, I’m not sure, I haven’t been able to make sense of it, and I’m obviously a Hodad.
Enjoy some random Bonzer Skateboards action. This first one is from @marci_oravec.
The John Bogaerts model is from @sk8cheddar.
A couple more from , while the others are from @tintoptoy again.
Bonzer mounting hardware as seen on Ebay.
John Fields nickname was Johhny bonzer. He set up the board factory in Brookvale NSW. Most of the art work was done by Ben Brown of The Hellmenn fame. Bonzer had a mobile 10ft ramp which was towed on two trailers. They set up demos in shopping centre car parks all around Sydney. There was also a Danny Van pro model as well as some others I can’t recall. Some good times !
Ken “GIBBO” Gibbons was such a great friend. I met him when he was first on the Gold Coast in the early 90s. I have been trying to track down a bit of memorabilia of Gibbo’s and was hoping to be pointed in the right direction.
Thanks for crediting my pics great article.
I’ve got an original pair of Bonzer sand cast trucks.
Tony Mann had a pro model with Bonzer skates.