Japanese-Australian Surf Brand 'Banks Journal' Closes Its Doors For Good - Stab Mag

Live Now: How Surfers Get Paid, Season 2 Episode 7 — Laird vs. The World

979 Views

Japanese-Australian Surf Brand ‘Banks Journal’ Closes Its Doors For Good

On Friday the 13th, no less.

news // Oct 14, 2023
Words by Holden Trnka
Reading Time: 2 minutes

The winds of change continue to howl.

While the WSL searches for a new CEO, Authentic Brands Group decides what to do with their newly purchased surf conglomerate, and the end of many a professional surf contract looms.

This Friday, the 13th of October, marked more change — with Banks Journal announcing that they were officially closing their doors.

Per Rama McGabe via the Banks Journal Instagram:

“I’m writing to everyone who has lovingly supported Banks Journal since we embarked on this journey back in 2014. We started this project to merge style and function with a sustainable approach to design and development. We were fortunate to have a unique perspective on coastal living, inspired by our Japanese and Australian heritage.

We’ve come a long way from our original office in Bondi Beach, Australia, and we wouldn’t have had this opportunity without each and every one of you. From the incredibly talented individuals we’ve had the pleasure of working alongside, to the retailers who always believed in us no matter what, our factories that went above and beyond to provide us with beautifully made products. Last but not least, to all the people who have one of our products hanging in their closet, you’re the friends, family, and supporters who have turned the dream of creating Banks Journal into a reality.

On Friday, October 13th, we will close our doors for the last time and bid farewell to all of you. Our hope is that you will continue to support our incredible retail partners until the last Banks Journal products have left their shelves, and that you will find an everyday journey with our brand in your life.”

The brand, started in 2014 by Rama McGabe, Masa Shibahara, Motoo Noda, and Tim Cochran won our 2021 Best Boardshorts — and we’re terribly sad to see them go.

Deeper dive coming soon.

Comments

Comments are a Stab Premium feature. Gotta join to talk shop.

Already a member? Sign In

Want to join? Sign Up

Advertisement

Most Recent

Ex-Commish Kieren Perrow Explains Why The Box Hasn’t Run In 5 Years

A 2025 Margaret River Pro Preview.

May 15, 2025

Great White Shark Jay Davies Sniffs Out Margaret River Pro Winners

"Jack Robbo for the three-peat."

May 15, 2025

Who Lies Beneath Logan’s Last Guillotine?

A quasi-empirical breakdown of who needs what to dodge the mid-season axe.

May 14, 2025

Afends vs. Ennui: An East Coast Case Study

Taj Richmond, Jhamil Coorey and co. road-trip the Australian East Coast.

May 14, 2025

Ferrari Boyz: Kaito Ohashi

Stab High Japan's hometown contender weighs in on his "indestructible" Toyota Hilux GR Sport.

May 12, 2025

One Of Europe’s Greatest Surf Photographers, Timo Jarvinen, Passes At 60

RIP to a straight shooter with the black lens.

May 12, 2025

What’s In An Asym?

EAST winner Ryan Lovelace explains, William Aliotti exhibits at Kandui Resort.

May 12, 2025

Filipe’s 9.07 And Julian Wilson’s Double Bird: A Forensic Autopsy

Mick Fanning, Taj Burrow, Leo Fioravanti, Snake Paterson, Doug Silva, and Julian Wilson share their…

May 11, 2025

Julian + Filipe Just Delivered The Most Electrifying Final We’ve Seen All Year

Toledo and BLSJ are your Bonsoy Gold Coast Pro champions.

May 10, 2025

2015 Energy, 2025 Execution: JW and Jordy Run Riot On The Gold Coast

The wildcard racked up 18-points + steamrolled an Olympic gold medallist along the way.

May 9, 2025

Everything You Need To Know About Stab High Japan 2025 Presented By Monster Energy

Who, when, where, and how to watch.

May 9, 2025

Morgz Ousts Ewing, Steph Cools Simmers, Toledo Pours Kerosene on His Pile of Green Leaves

Wildcards rampage on day two of the Bonsoy Gold Coast Pro.

May 8, 2025

Is This The End Of The ‘Bu As We Know It?

Charting the devastating aftermath of L.A.’s Palisades Fire.

May 8, 2025

Stab High Rookie Fires A Few Tail High Warning Shots

Watch Dane Henry's West Australian Snapt5 B-sides.

May 8, 2025

Re-Watch: Stab High Wildcard Ryan Huckabee’s Bootleg SEOTY

HUCK, and an insight into Ryan Huckabee's work-life balance.

May 7, 2025

Stab Interview: Nicolas Cage

On tombstoning in Malibu, Kelly Slater, shoving things in people’s mouths, and the release of…

May 6, 2025

“The End of an Era”

Rest in Power, Clyde Aikau.

May 5, 2025

Can You Surf Without A Traction Pad? 

Only 9% of surfers do, so let’s reveal who makes the best in the game. 

May 5, 2025
Advertisement