Wayne Bartholomew

Wayne 'Rabbit' Bartholomew AM is an Australian surfer who won the World Surfing Championship in 1978, 1999 (ASP world masters) and 2003 (ASP world grand master) .^[1] Bartholomew was also the former President of the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) from 1999-2009 and Chief Executive Officer, 1999-2003.

He was given the nickname 'Rabbit' when he was young because of his speed as a soccer player,^[1][2] and because he was missing all but his two front teeth.^[3]

The award-winning documentary Bustin' Down the Door^[4] depicts Rabbit's early days in Coolangatta, Queensland and his roller coaster ride to the top, overcoming massive obstacles along the way in his bid to bring credibility to the sport^[5] and draws upon his earlier biography, Bustin' Down the Door first published in 1996 and reprinted 2002^[6]

In 2009 Bartholomew was inducted into the Queensland Sport Hall of Fame.^[7]

Awards and honours

• Member (AM) in the General Division of the Order of Australia, 2009
• Inducted into Australian Walk of Fame, 2006
• Inducted into USA Hall of Fame, 2001
• Inducted into Sport Australia Hall of Fame, 1999
• Inducted into Australian Surfing Hall of Fame, 1987^[8]
• Ambassador, International Year of the Ocean, United Nations, 1998.
• 3 time Gold Coast Sportsman of the Year -
• ASP "services to the Sport Award"
• Movie of the Year, USA Surfer Poll Awards, 2008; for Bustin' Down the Door.
• Documentary of the Year, USA Surfer Poll Awards, 2008; for Bustin’ Down the Door.

References

External links

• Wayne Bartholomew on IMDb