MKIII Twin Keel Fish

24th May 2009

Hi Jim,

Just a quick note to say that the Lime spider goes unreal. I've had some great sessions at Margies and Grunters and it’s exactly what I was after on those solid days when the 6’ 3” fish is a bit under gunned. It’s really responsive but not twichy with a great glide. Thanks again for another ‘Banks’ masterpiece.
I've just finished a new body of work for our Project “West Kimberley” exhibition. I thought you may be interested in having a look as your a bit of a woody. Go to www.jahroc.com.au and click 0n Project West Kimberley then scroll down to the furniture.

Cheers gaz

6'6" MKIII

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6 OCtober 2008

Hi Jim

Just thought i would drop you a quick email to say that the board goes great....in fact amazing.....Took it for a surf at impossibles and i could not believe how good it was. Paddled into the waves incredibly easy and then just flew like a rocket ship! It made it around sections with ease that i would never make it around before on a normal board and it was also extremely manoeuvrable. I knew instantly after the first wave that this was going to be a gem of a board.

Don’t think i will be going back to my other boards anytime soon. Was starting to loose interest in surfing now the has totally reinvigorated the stoke. Can’t wait for my next surf on it.

Thanks loads!

Regards

Alessio, 6'4" MKIII

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14 August 08

Dear Jim,

Thanks for your advice early this year about getting a MK111. I got a 6'2" from Trevor in Cornwall. I've had it for a couple of months now and it is by far the best board i have ever had. My surfing has improved faster than at any time in the last 10 years and moves that eluded me were possible from the first session - almost effortlessly - the board really wants to surf and i just encourage it - really amazing. My wave count is much higher than ever. It is perfect for Cornwall - I've had dozens of boards in the past looking for the 'perfect' one but I am now very doubtful i will ever need anything different.

Much appreciation

andy, 6'2" MKIII

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26 July 08

hey jim,just had yet another brilliant sesh on da mk3,its a gas flying down the line the moving over the fins and tail and jamming a change of direction,cuts like a surgeons knife into the wave so clean and sharp keeps blowing me away so stoked man deadset,so much fun, havent had a bad surf rippin........take these of the market dont want to much competition gettin so many waves,kidding.what is your board of choice at the moment,how often do you ride the mk3 just wondering thanx mate ,feigo

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28 June 08

hi jim,what can i say.had a ball today,very first wave was a backhand screamer even had me hooting ,what a great surprise.no need to get used to it at all.long arcing smooth backhand cutbacks the board has no drag at all fins feel great similar to the speeedfins ive been on for years even better maybe.does not ride anything like the old twins, thank the lord,i was a bit worried.the glide you mention is insane just so smooth. can't wait tilll tomorrow. thanks heaps mate what a rush cheers ian

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20 June 08

Hi Jim
Just letting you know the MKIII i got from you a couple of months back goes fantastic. Just got back from Indo and the Maldives and surfed the MKIII nearly every session. Its so much fun to ride in just about all conditions from 1ft to 6ft so far. It goes so fast through,around and over sections and sits nice in the tube too.
I'm moving back over to Bali in July and was wondering if you had any Indo Rocket stock boards in stock a K85 model. I was needing it in Perth before July 12 if possible otherwise i will order a custom one from you.
Thanks so much for the MKIII its really made me look twice at board design and has surely added some spice to my surfing.

Thanks

Darrin

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9 june 08

Hi Jim,
Im in sumatra at the moment and due to a bus limiting me to choose one board from jakarta, i chose my mkii fish. Im stuck with only one board for 6 weeks untill returning to jakarta for a visa restamp.

Well everyone was telling me i chose the wrong board at first but its been going unreal in all sorts of waves, semi big walls or medium sized hollow long tubes. just loving it. Its been good to really suss out the board too. just thought id share the stoke and say thanks for the design, my best board ever.

Anyway hope you are well take care,

matt.

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15 April 08

Hey just thought I’d comment on the mk2 I bought here in the UK a while back. I’ve been riding twin keel fishes for a while now but could never find a board that was quite right and just kept getting hints of the designs potential crossed with corky rails or bad rocker. I saw the mk2 by chance in the shop and bought it immediately as it looked exactly what I’d been after. In 20 years of surfing it is without doubt the best single board for a range of conditions I’ve ever had...by a margin. The only thing I’d ride instead now would be a mark 3*or perhaps a groveller for when its below 2ft...thats it.
Took it to raglan NZ last month........sick!
Regards
Jim
Porthleven
Cornwall

*when will the mk 3 get to the uk?Jim,

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I have been riding the MKII for the past few weeks now and it goes fantastically!! I am amazed by its speed and how it makes sections I have usually had to push other boards really hard to get around. My friends can’t believe I purchased a twin and it is all the talk. My fears of it being uncontrollably loose are long forgotten. It holds lines, has great speed that it maintains through turns.

It took me a long time to make the decision for this board. All I can say is that both times I have purchased one of your boards I have been super impressed. My surfing is definitely on the improve with new interest. Not sure how to explain them both but them seem to ‘stick’ and handle every move I try. I can’t wait to get this in to larger winter swells. I know it will work on long fast waves like nothing else has for me.

Cheers, Dan

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Jim,

Just want to say thanks for my 6’1” MkII Fish.

Paddles in early, holds it’s line, tested up to a solid 5 foot so far and I feel it would be comfortable in 6 foot plus. Is extremely fast and not twitchy at all, it’s the best board I’ve ridden in 20 years. Surfed most of the Points on the Gold Coast and heavy beach break waves with no issues at all. Long bottom turns, no slide.

A very different fish. My other fish (not a Banks) is twitchy and unreliable at any size.

The glass job is second to none, 6oz with a gloss coat, not too heavy, I have taken out a few learner mal riders who dropped in without a shatter…

Cheers, Mick

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Hi Jim,

……I really, really like the board. I love the speed I can generate on it. It’s so easy and reliable to ride I find myself riding it pretty much all the time with my shorties sitting in the rack all neglected!.... thanks for a top board, the glass job is spot on too as after 4-5 months of pretty solid use it still looks like new.

Had 3 surfs yesterday, which I haven't done for some time, feeling happy & sore today. As I said on the phone the board is amazing! The speed it generates and the high line it can hold when racing point waves really surprised me. I think the board will actually go better in 4-5ft waves than in small junky waves, it's definitely not a grovel board & wood fins are just plain cool...

Cheers, Chad

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Glide Fish

15th may 2009

Mr Banks,

I have been surfing for 20yrs and last year I got a 6’8’’ Glide Fish, and it is without doubt the best surfboard I have ever had. It has rekindled my love of surfing and got me right back into it.
I have just returned from a 3 month to NZ, Sri Lanka and the Maldives and it was the only board I needed for the varied waves I encountered. It went in small slop and 8ft barrelling reefs.
I bought it from Down the Line in Cornwall, England (I live in the UK) and your boards have a huge following over here.

I would like to be on the waiting list for slightly smaller board in 2010 – possibly a 6’6’’ mkIII or similar?

Thanks very much,

Barney

6’8’’ Glide Fish

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Hey Jim,
Forgot to write you regarding the fish – it looks sick, rips and has been ridden by more than 15 people who claim the same. It’s been a real nice smooth ride and has been able to handle all of Sydney’s swells to date.

Thanks once again!

All the best, Phillip

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Hi Jim

Just got back from Indo. Took the new 6’2” fish with me and I’m so glad I did.

First surf 6 foot Ullu’s and I decided to give it a go. It took a couple to get used to but it was unbelievable. So fast and in control in the pocket and turned with ease and style on the shoulder. Great Fun.

The next week we surfed Impossibles from 4 to 8 foot and the fish loved the big walls and racy sections. Easy take offs got me going early and the speed the board generate got me around so many sections I would not usually make. It loved going from top to bottom with big stylish turns. I got so many waves all the crew were asking me about the board.

Anyway back in Oz cant wait to get it out again (It’s my favourite board now).

Thanks so much.

Regards, Nick

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Hyper

1 May 08

G'day Jim
I just wanted to let you know I got the board and it is unreal. I took it down to South East Cape on the south coast of Tassy last week and scored 4-6ft pumping lefts and it went really well, I love it. It felt especially good on back hand bottom turns.

cheers and thanks again
Jonny

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Hi Jim, hope that G-land delivered the goods for your trip. I just wanted to give you some feedback on the 6'3" rounded pin hyper that you shaped me before I left Byron.… I hit Winkipop with a mate yesterday, clean, down the line 3 to 4ft. First wave I just scooted down the line, finding my feet and it felt great. Second wave was a howler, it came off the bottom beautifully and turned of the top easily. But the thing the amazed me about this board straight away was the speed I could generate, it's a really fast board, really responsive without being overly sensitive. Paddling was a breeze and caught waves easily and drawn out cutties felt smooth. It seemed perfectly suited to winki's fast walls. In hollow beachies it will come into its own. Its one of those rare boards that felt really good from the first wave, but it still feels like I can really push my surfing on it.

Thanks Jim your a master craftsman, I’m fully stoked with this board.

Classic colour too - its been dubbed the peppermint crisp!

Happy surfing! Mark

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Hey mate!
Just cleaned out Reg of all his boards. If i cant have a quiver now, when am i going to have one? I was a bit unsure of the 6'3, it felt a little thin, but it had a fraction more width so it balanced out. I got the shock of my boarding life thus far. The thing cranked, drove hard and turned on a dime, the best 6'3 I’ve ever ridden. 3 foot average blown surf today but the board made me stay out in it until I developed rashes. A big surprise, I looked at it floating and the tail sat out of the water, with the back fin half exposed reminding me of a hotted up car. I felt like I could compete on it. I haven’t felt like that for a long time. The rails held a strong line but the rocker seem to let it respond so smoothly and accurately.

Very, very happy with this baby.

I’ll let you know how the others go when there is swell. Anytime you are down come and have a surf we can play some guitar too.

Cheers!

Glen

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jim

how are ya man..
board has been surfin good..
still havent got any good waves yet.. but had some bumpy fat overhead sets and this thing just took off down the line.. powered round the foamy sections like knife cutting butter baby..
heaps stoked.. you may be onto something.. still need to let it loose in good waves and see what happens.. hopefully gettin down the coast soon..

stay cool!

marco

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Dear Jim
I just had the best surf on my 6'3 at a I've right hand point break. On one wave to out run this section I was flying! I mean absolutely flying. The fastest I have ever been on this board or maybe any board now that I think about it. Two guys were going under this wave as I jetted past them. They latter said how they couldn't believe how fast I was actually moving. I made every drop on this board half of which were beyond vert take offs and lip launching air drops. The reo's I'm doing are awesome as well right in the critical part of the wave. It's like this board makes me surf better. I love this board 6'3 18 1/4 = 2 3/8 squash tail.
Kind Regards Grub

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Indo Rocket

18 Aug 08

Goes good at inside Lennox. The hollower it gets the better it feels. Very fast. Wont slide out when you dont want it to. Holds on when things get crazy. Makes sections. All good.

The speed it creates doing an arc is awesome. (Which Im sure is no surprise to you having called it the indo rocket)

If I didnt sit at a desk all week and did more exercise I could crank the biggest cutties and turns on it on a consistent basis. As it is I can get a few in before I get all jelly legged. Ill keep working on that.

Thanks for bringing the buzz back!

Matt

6'3" Indo Rocket

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13 Aug 08

Hi Jim,

Just wanted to let you know...the board goes sick!

As soon as the waves get good it makes you just want to go surfing and every time I ride it I am surprised by how fast it is and how much energy it has through turns.

Could go into more detail, but Im at work so....

Ciao,

Matt

6'3" Indo Rocket

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Dear Jim:

Just rode the 6'.6". that you shaped me in crappy 1-2ft blown out stuff at Cronulla (your'e probably thinking 'surf hasn't changed there'), and considering how bad the surf was, your board RIPPED in it. I am stoked with what you done. I haven't had a chance to take out the 6'.8". but if it goes anything like the 6'6" I will be a happy man. This is the first board in a long time that I feel really comfortable on.

Thanks, Murray
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Hi Jim.
It's Clinton. I ordered the 6'5 custom off you a few weeks back. I ended up picking the board up in Byron instead of having it delivered to Sydney.
The board goes insane...barrels galore... Surfed Treachery Beach at Seals Rocks in 6ft A framing tubes on the way back to Sydney and at Butterbox Reef Sydney north shore at 5-7 ft...
I showed a guy in Qld your the 6'5.. he was impressed and should be ringing you for a custom also...
Thanks heaps Jim... Clinton

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Hi Jim
I just wanted to send you a photo of this 6'5 board I just adopted to see if you remember it. Camel said it was one of his best G-land boards and the only one that would let him make that section called Hoop throwers from money trees into speedies west swell style.

I just rode the 6'4 board you made me at windy 4ft Margarets and it went so, so, so good, the paddle ability is so awesome too and the right hander drops are usually kinda tricky with the southerly wind chopping up the face but your board did not even notice! the Drug aware pro starts on the 26th so I think I'll be riding the 6'4. Thanks Jim!

See ya! Becky

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Hit the Road

13 May 08

G'Day Jim
Just a quick email from the NW to let you know I'm real happy with the board. We have had a unreal start to the season with surf nearly every day and a few very solid days. I'm just loving the board in anything solid or sucky it goes unreal and I've taken a few drops on it I would never make on my old board.

So thanks heaps.

Dunk

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Hi Jim

I finally got my new 6'10" wet, the first two waves were a little stiff, but then it all came together, the drive off the bottom is awesome, I was turning tighter and faster, and down the line speed was unreal, it's the best feeling.

My surfing kicked up another level yesterday, the board is so sweet,

Thanks mate! Darren

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Hi there,

I bought a 6' 10" last year, it should come with a handbrake it goes so fast!

Ridden the board in 4ft Lennox to 6-8ft waves at Tamarama (Sydney) & 10ft Bells & Winki. The most amazing surfboard I have ever ridden. Can't wait to save my pennies & grab another board when I can.

Thanks, Chad

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Hey Jim, thanks for the quick reply, I took it out for its 1st outing after I emailed u and it went KILLER, made some big bombs at main break Margaret River and drove it thru a clean shack from deep. So it’s a winner, as all your shooters are and I will definitely be able to put it into some serious situations...

Catch ya down the line, Ian

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Hi Jim,
We have had some good swells over the last month, a few nice 6-8ft days. I have really taken to surfing the bombie lately (about 1km south of Margs Mainbreak).

I lent my friend Camel my 7'0 Banksy board and he claimed that it was hands down the best board he has ever ridden at Margarets and he has certainly ridden more different boards out there than anyone else. He also gets more tubed out there than anyone else so he knows the wave inside out. That is joy because previously we had a theory that boards that go awesome in Indo go bad out at Margarets and vice versa. So your board is beyond because it goes sick at Margs and in Indo.

I am really looking forward to riding the new 6'4. Thanks Jim.

See ya! Becky

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Hi Jim, 7'6" performs like a dream, like stepping into a Lamborghini! Haven't had it anything bigger than head high yet, but amazed how well it surfs down in the smaller stuff. Looks like some solid swell hitting next week and later so if the old arms are up to it will give it a run off the points (........ Burleigh has already claimed a little skin off one rail ..... Fucking rocks)
Wayne

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Hello Jim,
Both Boards went extremely well and I am soooo happy I have them.

When we arrived the swell was solid 12 ft and everywhere except Ulu and
Padangs was deserted.

I first took the HTR out a few days later at Impossibles which was running a
solid 8 feet. I've never surfed such long walls and such power and they
certainly looked impossible to me. I started out looking for a shoulder but
got launched onto the reef every time. Then I paddled inside and decided to
go for some "makeable" small ones - I got a few but never made them very far
and the reef and I were becoming too familiar. So eventually I realised that
I'd have to paddle out and wait for the set waves. I let quite a few of
these go by - they looked really heavy.

And then finally a big one came and I was so obviously on the spot that I
*had* to take it. I made a major effort because I didn't want to hit the
reef (again) but still I found myself hanging in the lip and taking a bigger
drop than I ever imagined I would see in real life. And the board just
slotted right in and I went down, around, up, inside and trimmed as I
"casually" pumped myself along at incredible speed for probably 50 metres
and then I was on the face and doing big driving curves, sending spray over
the back and just flying along. I paddled back what seemed like a kilometre
and received several compliments from the crew. Only got two more waves that session but in every case the HTR was rock steady, hung in perfectly where it needed to, and was really, really fast.

So in summary, everything was great, the trip was fantastic, the boards are
perfect.

Cheers,

Anthony

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Single Fins

3 April 08

Jim, i have to tell ya, that purple/aqua 7'6'' you shaped for me is fecken flying man! It's honestly the fastest board i have ever ridden. Really stoked! Do you freight boards overseas? i will have to get a quiver of them, just in case you depart the mortal coil without notice for awhile. Of course you will be back, but maybe not as a shaper. I can't take the risk, plus it would too long to wait for you to grow up again...

Wayne Murphy

7'6" single fin pintail