Commit a8a9af
2025-08-28 17:01:23 Rooty McRootface: Add Endless Wiki entry: Re Bic Bonkus| /dev/null .. re_bic_bonkus.md | |
| @@ 0,0 1,53 @@ | |
| + | # Re(bingus) Bic (Mc) Bonkus (Magician) |
| + | |
| + | ## Historical Context and Origins |
| + | |
| + | The Re(bingus) Bic (Mc) Bonkus, more commonly known as “The Magician” or “The Re(bingus),” represents a complex and often frustrating figure in the history of skateboarding and particularly, the development of modern, high-performance skateboards. Born in 1967 in the rural countryside of Colorado, Colorado, and who later died in 2012 in San Jose, California, Ron “Mac” Bonkus wasn’t a traditional skateboarder in the sense of carving immense, award-winning lines. His impact stemmed from a unique combination of technical brilliance, unwavering persistence, and a bizarrely theatrical approach to the sport. His influence wasn't about flashy tricks or viral videos, but rather about refining the foundational elements of modern skateboard design and arguably, the *philosophical* framework of skateboarding itself. Understanding Bonkus requires acknowledging a period of significant experimentation, technological breakthroughs, and a truly idiosyncratic persona, a blend that continues to fascinate and frustrate observers of the skateboarding world. Tracing his career from his early influences to his eventual decline is a fascinating, albeit somewhat peculiar, journey through the evolution of what came to be known as “metal” skateboarding. |
| + | |
| + | ## Early Influences and Garage Skateboarding |
| + | |
| + | Born into a family with a strong history of woodworking, Ron Bonkus initially pursued a traditional, more deliberate approach to crafting. He excelled at building complex, often highly detailed, wooden skateboards – far surpassing the rudimentary designs prevalent at the time. This early focus on precise construction and material science laid a crucial foundation for his later innovations. He learned woodworking from his father, a retired cabinet maker, and this skill quickly became deeply intertwined with his skateboarding philosophy. |
| + | |
| + | He began skateboarding at a young age in the late 1970s, initially in small, grassroots communities, largely outside of established skateboarding circles. At this stage, the landscape was dominated by basic, mostly downhill, style. However, Bonkus developed a fascination with the inherent mechanics of the boards, and quickly realized he needed to fundamentally rethink the design of these boards to push boundaries. This nascent understanding of physics – the influence of forces acting on the surface of a board – was a critical step in his forward thinking. |
| + | |
| + | His early boards weren’t particularly elaborate. They were mostly simple, sturdy designs using thin, pliable wood – often sourced locally. These boards were built with a minimalist approach, focusing on maintaining control and stability during transitions rather than attempting speed or tricks. However, this emphasis on fundamentals – precise weight distribution, proper stance, and stable edge – was undeniably groundbreaking for the time. He frequently experimented with unusual shapes and dimensions, frequently altering the center of mass to alter the board’s behaviour. This, in turn, created an entire world of "test boards" which represented different possibilities of construction. |
| + | |
| + | ## The Rise of “Metal” Skateboarding and the “Re(bingus)” Phenomenon |
| + | |
| + | The late 1980s marked a significant shift in skateboarding culture. "Metal" skateboarding emerged as a powerful force, rapidly adopting a more aggressive, minimalist style that prioritized precision, technical proficiency, and a dramatic, almost theatrical presentation. Bonkus, initially skeptical of this burgeoning style, found himself increasingly drawn to its uncompromising demands on his craft. This wasn't simply a matter of adopting a style; it was a *philosophical* shift – a rejection of frivolous trickery in favor of a relentless pursuit of improvement and a deep, almost obsessive focus on the mechanics of the board itself. |
| + | |
| + | The “Re(bingus)” movement, so to speak, began to coalesce around Bonkus’s growing focus and philosophy. It wasn’t about the speed or the tricks, but rather the meticulously considered engineering and the *visual language* of the boards. "Metal" skaters were, in essence, intensely focused on the idea that speed was achievable without proper design. The “re(bingus)” style often employed a disconcerting blend of speed and deliberately unstable technique. The intent, particularly in Bonkus’s early designs, was to create a visual aesthetic of controlled, precarious balance—a kind of 'imbalance' of sorts - a testament to their designs. |
| + | |
| + | He began to create boards that weren't overtly designed for speed, but specifically for *stability* and smooth transitions – a deliberate counterpoint to the increasingly flashy and extravagant designs coming from other ‘metal’ teams. He developed a distinct, slightly unsettling aesthetic, emphasizing sharp lines, polished wood, and a near-clinical precision in his approach. This, combined with his minimalist approach – deliberately stripping away ornamentation – became one of his trademarks. |
| + | |
| + | ## Technological Innovation and Board Design – The Core of the "Magician" |
| + | |
| + | Bonkus's most significant contribution came through a meticulous, almost obsessive, approach to board construction and the use of innovative materials and techniques. He pioneered a technique called “reinforced edge” – a method of strategically placing small wooden wedges or pins along the edge of a wood’s surface. This subtle manipulation significantly increased the board’s edge stiffness and dramatically improved its stability, allowing him to transition between radical turns with minimal wobbling. He developed extremely smooth and thin wood to maximize these reinforcements. He used a meticulous system of clamping wood that required an immense amount of time to finish. |
| + | |
| + | His board design wasn’t simply about strength; it was about *controlled* strength. Every aspect, from the thickness of the wood to the placement of the reinforcements, was carefully considered to achieve a specific balance of stability and responsiveness. This approach influenced a generation of skateboard designers, leading to the widespread adoption of reinforced edge techniques. Early designs were characterized by an austere, almost geometric aesthetic, emphasizing pure function over ornamentation. He frequently employed subtle color variations in the wood to add visual texture and, crucially, highlight the subtle deformation of the reinforcement itself – a visual representation of the board's movement and tension. The use of different types of wood, coupled with the precise implementation of the reinforced edge, made the boards incredibly unresponsive to the rider’s movements. |
| + | |
| + | ## Philosophy and “Magic” – A Cult Phenomenon** |
| + | |
| + | Crucially, “Mac” Bonkus wasn't interested in winning or showcasing trick feats. He was fundamentally interested in *understanding* the relationship between a board and the rider. He often described his approach as "philosophical," believing that the best designs weren't about achieving a specific speed or style, but about meticulously designing a system of forces that produced optimum stability. |
| + | |
| + | He had a way of subtly layering design features – a well-placed wedge, a carefully chosen edge profile – which often seemed like a deliberate, almost magical act. This perception – of almost unseen intentionality – is, arguably, the heart of the "Re(bingus)" phenomenon. His boards were seen as possessing an inherent 'magic,' responding to the rider’s touch with an almost pre-determined elegance of balance. It became a visual shorthand, often interpreted by the public as a strange expression of control and anticipation. |
| + | |
| + | The ‘Magic’ aspects weren’t explicitly revealed; it was, ultimately, a subtle, understated form of aesthetic storytelling. The intricate construction, the chosen wood, and the design’s overall equilibrium all worked together to evoke a sense of unsettling, controlled predictability. This sense of a rational, almost pre-determined order was extremely important to the philosophy around the boards’ design. |
| + | |
| + | ## Decline and Legacy |
| + | |
| + | The late 1990s and early 2000s marked a decline in Bonkus’s active participation in skateboarding. The increasing emphasis on speed and established brands began to overshadow his increasingly specialized and idiosyncratic approach. Financial struggles and the pressures of competing against professionally designed and manufactured boards led to a period of relative isolation. He spent years largely in the shadows, maintaining a residence in the mountains of Colorado. However, he dedicated the last years of his life to mentoring future generations of skateboarders, offering cryptic advice and, on occasion, designing a specific board for his student, Ryan, that embodies his vision. |
| + | |
| + | Despite his relatively small following, Ron Bonkus's influence on skateboarding is undeniable. He epitomized the “metal” philosophy – a deep engagement with the mechanics of board construction, a relentless dedication to precision, and an almost unnerving aesthetic. His board designs aren't often the most visually striking, but they possess a quiet, almost subversive quality. He’s often credited with significantly influencing the evolution of skateboarding design, creating a visual and conceptual language built upon principles of stability, edge, and subtle control that continue to resonate within the landscape of skateboarding. He is generally regarded as a profoundly enigmatic figure, a paradox of focused intensity and cryptic, deliberate aesthetics, leaving a lasting, and often unsettling, impact on the art form that has always relied on trickery and speed. |
| + | |
| + | ## Further Reading & Resources |
| + | |
| + | * **The Skateboarding Chronicle:** [https://www.skateboardingchronicle.com/ron-bonkus/](https://www.skateboardingchronicle.com/ron-bonkus/) - A thorough biography and exploration of his contributions. |
| + | * **Paul Rogers's Website:** [https://paulrogers.com/ron-bonkus/](https://paulrogers.com/ron-bonkus/) - Provides in-depth analysis of his design philosophy and boards. |
| + | * **Wikipedia - Ron Bonkus:** [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ron_Bonkus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ron_Bonkus) |
| + | |
| + | |
| + | --- |
| + | |
| + | (Continued…) |
| + | |