"you know" Banksy was a few years younger than me growing up in Cronulla...I loved his surfing. One of the first guys to really ride the island on his backhand that I could remember. He's still living the dream good on him 'you know".
I start surfing on a 7 feet fun board in 1978 in south Morocco near Taghazout. We were sometimes only 2 guys in the water and sometimes a few hippies surfers coming from California. No magazines no vidéos no charts no surf shops and nobody to teach us. The feeling between surfers was great and very friendly. I am so glad to listen to Jim Banks it makes me remember those days of pure happiness... thank's for this.
Hey, I was always just a Westy from the Ryde area but surfed always, still d the weekends now I'm 62. From when I was young I always noticed Jim, there wasn't enough footage of him but sorry for the cliche but he was always a soul surfer, a gorgeous, effortless style. Seeing footage of him meant I first visited Bali, Java and Nias in 81. The way he described the walk to Ulu's in those days is exactly how it was. got back from Bali, my fifth visit, last Saturday. he is right, these people do vibrate on a beautiful frequency... Great interview, humble cool dude. Thanks to all involved.
Great interview . What a decent humble bloke with a great outlook on life . I can remember seeing him riding solid Shark Island rights on a yellow and red board on his backhand .
Cronulla local Jim is a legend of the sport. His words are wise and demonstrate a life of reflection and thoughts for the well-being of fellow man . Kudos Banksy. Ps. The alley, point and the island are flat today .
Hey Jim...Long time no see...This is good.. Enjoyed it.When we were both working at G&S in Taren Point factory..And that trip to W.A in 1978 for the Aussie Titles with Richard Cram.. Good Times in Cronulla back then.And yep Working at Southern Comfort in 77'-79' was interesting...
good to see your name from the old days in Cronulla , brought back memory's of how good we really had it and all the guys ,wanda boys , alley boys point guys sand shoes crew Popout Gerry Manion ,, pete smith , les martin ,,johny sullivan , frenchy , hahaha angry , Ralf rotten , ronny myster mick and matt caine i left out many , doggy Hilton. or Turk
I'll always remember the Surfer magazine issue on Ulu, with Rabbit and MP and the "busting down the back door" Aussies. 1977. Great inspiration for me here in Norcal.
Thank you Jim! I love your attitude on giving and your explanation of the surfers attitude from as early as I can remember. Surfing the point in the early 70’s on, for me, a big day and looking at Shark Island and thinking “That’s unrideable!” Then Frank Latta paddled over and rode it!
LOVED your sharing, thank you so much! I declared surfing too crowed 1971 😂 And went to Alta, Utah to learn how to ski. You perfectly outlined what I really miss about surfing and how the commercial aspect has ruined it. We were so fortunate to have known what it was like. All the continued best of All you love to you!
Great interview - love Jim's outlook on life and surfing - really enjoyed the chat on the early days in Bali . What a great time to be a surfer in Bali in those days!
Great interview. Awesome outlook on life and accurate synopsis of the evolution of surfing as a sport and lifestyle. Remember seeing the photos of Banksy as a kid in the 70's and 80's and had memories of surfing a couple of sessions with him at Tallows in '84. Such a great outlook on life. Many lessons for the masses here. What a life!
Fantastic interview and thanks for uploading. Pretty sure I remember watching Jim in the movie Storm Riders when I was a grom. Just recently discovered the joys of Twinnies too and it has reinvigorated my love and joy of surfing.
Pretty much how I remember Bali in ‘81 . I love Jim’s philosophy on life and happiness and the older I get the more I aspire to live in the moment and truly value the simple things. Great interview.✌🏾
Hey Jim loved the interview. Love your outlook on life and agree with so many of your comments. For me your outlook on life is "Morning of The Earth" just fantastic. (By the way played Soccer with you at Gymea United, you were right half. Kind of remember your dad too. They were great days)
met Jim a long while back in bali, he is a surfing statesman and this story lets the world know what surfing was like in the seventies ,really a nice guy and a real good shaper
I remember when l first saw you as little snow white haired grommie Killing it in shorebreak at wanda, thinking Wot the heck .. Maybe you looked 12 and l watched you progress to what you became as a surfer , we had a few waves and laughs together about the place . Late 60s to mid 70s everybody generally knew each other in cronulla . I always remembered you as a decent clean guy with a great focus and friendly attitude in amongst druggie mixed crazy culture and at times heavy localism all the way through . All the best bro Pretty accurate interview .
Amazing and inspiring talk! That is the spirit!Great truths and basic human reflexions!!from and incredible Surfer and great human Being!!thank you for sharing it with us, Jim!🌈🍀🌊☀️ greetings from a soul Surfer from North of Spain!
I surfed from 70 to 80 and did Tamarin,J bay and Bali in 75 and listening to this ,I totally agree with everything said in this interview,I have memories of barrels ,people and that laid back thing and feeling of being one with the elements.This man is a leader,more people should follow his credo.Especially like the bit about the warm drinks on the walk into Ulu.Thank you , fantastic story telling.
Chasing freedom we become enslaved. Best quote in the world. Super ledgend. Mr Jim you have know idea how many people look up to you, not only as a great surfer but a hell of a real dude.
Last time I heard Jim talk was in his surf shop in Cronulla in the early 80's As a young guy I would listen in awe when he spoke about Bali or surfing huge waves in far away lands. Great to hear in this video he still has the knack of telling a great story Living the dream in Bali - Great stuff !
i love your interview. Telling how things use to be, before $ got involved. Especially about that we belong to the same tribe, it’s not about competing with each other, but making sure everyone is getting their share of waves. How the wealthy are never content, always wanting a little more. So true. It was the Art of Style, not reaping the wave apart, but blending in with the wave, trying to glide effortlessly across the wave. Just being in the Ocean. Thank you, i really enjoyed your interview.
J-Bird! Right on the money Bro. So nice to hear his stories with great intelligence & without the massive ego tripping, so rare in surfing for some reason. Met him in NZ, totally genuine guy. You thriving in Hawaii, I'm sure!
Ahhh Jim. You're a legend mate! Just hearing you speak about life is awesome, calming and relaxing. I am from Cronulla and remember buying a board from your shop in the mall just before I was going to go to Bali for the first time. You said "Yeah, I was shaping this one for me but I mucked it up!" That was enough for me, I bought it on the spot knowing you shaped it for yourself and it was a great board (I was around 18 at the time). Since then, you have shaped me 3 Indo guns and a fish which I still have and love all of them. Take care and I hope to see you in Bali sometime.
Jim, legendary waves you caught out Voodoo al by yourself. I watched. Was amazed. You also shaped my first single fin. You were shaping at G&S Caringbah. Real bummer that it was stolen 3 month’s after owning it and riding it twice a day at Wanda/ Greenhills. Thats life tho. Peace brother 🙏
Great interview. Really interesting to hear him talk about his distaste for competitive surfing and how it was before he started competing or thinking about who was better, yes, he knew who could do what on a wave but not with like a rating system. Right on and thanks for sharing.
Brilliant. Never waste an opportunity to be generous. It is the one human trait that all cultures recognise and understand. Smiling faces began more , and you connect. Anywhere. That's about as good as it gets. And Bali epitomises all that. Such a strong culture that's survived all many of disturbances. Community - we before me.
Love Jim.. He smilingly called me into a wave at Cronulla point when I was a youngster... Had just watched him fold his big body into a tiny layback tube that seemed impossible.. He's a legend Gent.. ..
need to hear more of this. such a great summary of the path of surfing from the 70s to crummby commercialisation. Do another one with him or someone similiar. I remember Jim from around the Cronulla point scene in the 70s. Great stuff. Thanks
Thanks, I was a little part unfortunately, of such and regret promoting such. Banks and I stayed over nite with great respect, in the limestone landscape, overlooking Uluwatu. Meal was rice with some local veggies. the most humble of all meals, Peter Simons
Spent a month in Bali in 1975, it was Shangri La. We actually rented Honda 125's and perched our boards on the bike seat. Got Ulu many times at 6-8 perfection. Best time of my life. Plus $1 Thai sticks at Made's restaurant
Yes Jim There is no greater wealth than doing what you love.The beliefs we lived around through the 70’s,watching Witzig,etc living within surfing gave us a solid grounding and the ocean polished us off.Great to see you following your dreams.do you see the likes of Rob Coneeley living in and around the ocean still,testament to pure stoke.
Thanks for this. Would love to hear moy stories from Banks. Used to look for him in Surfer and wondered what it really meant that he had, as they said, 'gone feral'. This was good insight. Love the idea of 'being if service ' that he puts forward here. Rings true in words and action. Time well spent on RU-vid... imagine that!
From NY made my first booties from a wetsuit top sleeves I found floating in the bay while claming. Sewed them up and they where like old school basketball socks. Paired them up with a spring suit. Knees exposed in late winter, early spring mid 40s ocean. Can still see my mate laughing his ass off as I'm getting dusted pounding over head surf. 70s all the way. Good times, TY Jim. I feel better having listened to this.✌️
Radddddddddddddddd Jim Banks rules. Badass I met at a guy in San Diego that said Indo locals tripped out on Banks, but whatever... His surfing and outlook on life are completely phenomenal. INSPO. Bronzed Aussie turned Soul Pilot. Thank you
Great interview Mr Jimmy Banks! You allowed your passion to cultivate and create an awesome, meaningful life. Well played! You’d never remember me, but you and Peter Townsend paddled out at Imperial Beach, Ca one day and we had a pretty good surf together. Mid eighties with only a few of us out. Keep up the stoke!
Thanks Jim, your interview helped me put pieces of how things happened in the past into place. Your right about surf culture in the 70's, sadly it's mostly gone now. Too many people at the breaks of my youth kinda took a lot fun away. We had it so good and didn't fully understand it at the time.
The idea of what is enough as shared here is rad. My old partner, was involved in not one but two of the largest busts ever. We vas hippie surfers were involved in the trade. After my bros 1st bust , he was on the run , playing music with Bob Marley people. When he finally went to jail, he got short time in Long Beach,,,5 star When he got out we did some loads and , we lost touch. After going to work 5 years or so, I got home and opened the paper, and his picture and a story, how , he was the brains of pot and coke sales , but got away again , back in hiding. When I investigated , police and federal records, he and his group had done well over 500 million in coke and pot. At that point, and having found Jesus , and worked a regular job. All I could ask , is how much is enough !! Although most people look down on surfers, I'm blessed to have lived vastly different .life , than 99% ____________What I treasure is giving and loving others....Truly how much is enough , as you consider others in dire need ?
"We did the finish coat in the kitchen... Whole house stinking of polyester resin and catalyst" classic ! Your parents were really open minded & cool 👍 Great interview.
And this is exactly why you want to consider this guy’s boards: he’s dedicated his life to making boards that are most suitable for riding waves - not necessarily in the most technical way, but something more spiritual. I dig that.
Nice interview! I'm a bit surprised he didn't mention Mark Richards when speaking of the rise of the twin fins. In Cali all of us traded our single fins to be able to make turns on the face like MR.
More wisdom than taught in 95% of the schools in America, which now, sadly, specialize in propaganda and indoctrination. And surfing in the 60's and 70'....a very special time. We were labeled bums and degenerates as we sat in the lineup, waited for waves and smiled, trading the hustle and madness of the world for joy in the beautuful ocean. Ah contests. The only clear cut winners in any kind of event is where the most points are scored or the finish line is crossed first. Anything else is purely subjective to one's personal opinion. Thank you for that honest, heartfelt interview Jim Banks. God bless you mate.
Love your interview and stories your laid back and zen Buddhist soul way wish many more were like you esp how you describe the huge corporte machine that eats you up and spits you out. Hope this has ripples in the so called surf legends growing phenomena ohm🙏🏻🌈🏄🏾♀️
Wow what a great interview. Jim Banks is very down to earth and humble. All the kids should watch this to hear about the non competitive roots of surfing from a very talented surfer. Imagine surfing with a group that would want to make sure everybody was getting their fair share of waves!
I remember surfing the south side of the Huntington Pier and Jim Banks was out. I979-80?? It was a peaky glassy evening winter session and Mr. Banks was tearing it up.
I remember seeing you twice, once as you've described, doing full on backhand reo's at the end section of shark island, the lip just going up and over you and you getting swallowed up, mad!.The other time you were out voodoo and as we were paddling out you were crashing though the falling roof of over head lefts.Just power surfing.Good memories.oak park, windy point,the point ,green hills.Such a god area to learn surfing in.And yes mates that have gone.
Ah. Jim Steve boler mate.. One of the best interviews I,ve ever seen mate. I, m like you mate except I live in Java. Bob got Court and so did all, his brother. I was supposed you never mentioned, surfing the reefs across from voodoo... Anyway, stay well brother. Keep doing it.
I had the surf magazine with Jim at shark island(I think it was in the 80’s). It was so heavy looking, lip looked 2 feet thick….Jim sitting there with only one fin holding him up on the face. I would just look at that photo sequence of him surfing shark island over and over…it was so heavy! Jim is a true legend!
I remember a well known pic like that, upper third of the wave, but at the Point I think. Have to laugh at his comment about the dread of being dragged across the island and white rock - always thought bailing and rolling into a ball and hoping the wetsuit would bear the brunt was the best course rather than charge it head first!
70s .I was fortunate, never surfed indo, but I got to live California soul . Commercial fish farm town and surf . .before it was completely overrun nice vid all the best . .
Loved this interview..Battle of the Bands!!!Hah!!! EXACTLY!!!!! Generosity is a well known inoculation for stress and greed. Get yours at the local buddhist temple today,
I lived in Bali for a while back had to return to the uk due to funds. Worlds apart. Bali is phenomenal. Me and my mrs who’s from Java are looki g to settle there for good asap
Lovely guy... I first went to Bali in '78 and it was heaven... Suka Hati was the bungalows where we stayed in Legian for the next four years each year... the track to Ulu, open soccer fields at the end of the track at legian, even did the canoe trip to Lembongan to surf shipwrecks and there was NO-ONE there... no losmens no nothing... no one even knew of Cangguu or Medowie....cant go there anymore coz the whole place is a pit and its lost that magic you spoke of... i totally agree that people have lost it as they compete and search for glory and possessions so here is a link for you to enjoy.... its a disease and nearly everyone has caught it...... ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-l5Cqp3pnE98.html
