Jim Banks Profile ’77.

Cronulla photographer Peter Simmons put together a profile on Banksy for Surfing World Vol 25 in 1977. It was Jimbos first real major media expose.

Jim Banks Adv ’84

Jim Banks didnt get a reputation for his go for it charging for nothing. He excelled at Shark Is, The Point and Voodoo on those maxed out days so when it came to attacking Hawaiian Pipeline it was a natural progression. This seq in a Rip Curl adv was from ’84, Jim said he made it. pics by Jim Russi.

Jim Banks Quits Tour ’83.

Feb 1983 Tracks reports that after a good performance at Pipeline where he hooked into this deep pit below, Jims quiting the tour sick of living out of a suitcase and will concentrate just on Surfing. Sequence of Banksy charging hard by Brouilett.

Banksy-Bronzed Aussie.

This mini profile appeared in Tracks in 1990 about the wave that changed Jim Banks life. For the 17 year old amateur surf prodigy it was at the 78 Surfabout at North Narrabeen that one particular tube set Banksy on a different path. During a heat with the unbeatable Mark Richards, Jim caught a cracker of a wave, a long left hand barrel one of the best of the day that had the crowd standing and hooting. By the end of the heat he had done the unthinkable and relegated MR to the beach. That one wave resulted in Jim being picked up and sponsored by the high profile Bronze Aussies Surf Team establishing him from rags to riches as a Pro  Surfer over night.We have that photo of that very tube which we will upload in a later blog.

Banksy @ The Point

Jim Banks was generally regarded as the best Goofyfoot to ride The Point throughout the 80’s decade. He had a classic free flowing casual style and would pick his line and exit some of the gnarliest barrels The Point would throw at him.

Photo: Stroh