Jim Banks

Banksy posing for Saltwater down at Gunnamatta Park featured on  the back page of  Surf Magazine – Vol.1 No.2 dated February 1977.Just before the Bronze Aussies and Billabong came a knocking. Photo by Steve Core.

Banksy Southside Open

Early 80’s  star Jim Banks was  Cronulla’s best chance of producing a local finalist during the Southside Open held at Elouera Beach. This shot by Aitionn appeared in Surfing World early 80’s of Jimbo clean carving the 1 metre swells.

 

 

Jim Banks

Portrait of a young looking Jim Banks with single fin catching a few zzz’s. From the pages of Surfing World late 70’s.

Banksy ’80

Jim Banks did’nt gain his reputation by surfing the beachies around Cronulla . Jimbo grew up on a diet of heavy reef power. Shark Island 1980 grey day hell swell photo Stroh.

 

Jim Banks

Jim up north on a photo shoot for Surfing World mid 80’s.

Banksy Surfabout ’81

It was at a Surfabout comp that Banksy made his first big impact on the World Tour and ended up replacing Cheyne Horan on the Bronze Aussie team. In Narrabeen’s perfect lefts Jimbo was right at home and scored one of the best barrels of the comp. This shot of JB was taken at the ’81 event Photo Stroh

Jim Banks ’79

Early morning summer dawn patrol, backside master Jim Banks hits The Point before the crowds. Photo Stroh ’79

Banks Wins Om Bali Pro ’81

Jim Banks enforces his creditials as one of the sports best tube riders with his win in 1981 at the Om Bali Pro held in solid waves at Uluwatu. The story and cover shot appeared on Tracks July 81 issue.

Banksy ’83

Before Occy, Greeny and Dog made their charge at the World Tour, Jim Banks almost single handed had been flying the flag as Cronulla’s main pro rider in the late 70’s and early 80’s. Jim was a regular  Top 16  performer as well as a respected shaper before he got burnt out with the contest grind and hit the travel road pioneering new surf breaks around the world. This photo was taken around ’83 at Pipeline.

Jim Banks ’76

When this pic of Jim Banks was taken at Elouera Beach in’76 Bansky was just beginning to make a name for himself as a local ripper. Photo Tim Vanderlaan.