Former professional surf photographer Christian Phleger lost everything in the 2023 Lahaina wildfires—except for one custom-shaped Bonzer surfboard.

In the months that followed, this board became his lifeline, carrying him through waves of loss and grief.

With all his camera gear, negatives, films, and archives destroyed, Christian faced a defining choice: what to do next. He turned to the ocean once more—this time as a surfboard shaper—recreating the board that had given him solace and rebuilding his connection to the sea.

Purple Bonzer is the result of decades of surfing experience, an artist’s eye for detail, and a mission to craft boards that help people feel at one with the ocean—experiencing both its thrill and its healing power.