Taj Burrow at 13
The fellas who invented the Bonzer, brothers Duncan and Malcolm Campbell, have always been ahead of the game. Fully ten years before Big Simon thought to whack three fins on the bottom of a board they designed one that had many of the performance attributes of a thruster.
They had a keen eye for spotting future talent too...
Here's an accessory-laden young grub, sporting full deck Gorilla Grip and a bulbous white Gath helmet, that would go onto to become one of Australia's most successful competition surfers - Taj Burrow of course. In this photo just thirteen years old.
Design pioneers they may have been, and talent spotters extroadinaire, but unfortunately for the Campbell Brothers they weren't able to keep the stable door closed. None of Taj's future success came with their designs under his feet.
(Photo by Clive Slater)
Comments
Campbell brothers wouldnt have even know about Taj back then. Taj's board shaper and mentor Mick Manolas was driving everything that not only what Taj was riding but also Jake Pato, Mitch Thorson and a large part of the WA surfing comunity.
Credit where its due boys!!! MM is a ripper guy and was a filthy board shaper.
Thanks for the heads-up Mossy.
were is mm and nick pope these days ??
Thanks for the mention. Duncan and I would just like to mention how grateful,and how much respect we have for Mitch, and Mick. Mitch exposed the potential of the 5 Fin Bonzer to a whole new crop of people,as well as showing the older guys that we were still relevant. Mick picked it up and got quite a few Bonzers in the water in Western Oz. Mossy is right. Taj on the Bonzer was all Mick's doing. Mitch and Mick played a key role in keeping the evolution of the 'Bonzer Project' moving forward.
Peace,
Malcolm and Duncan Campbell