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) . 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, and because he was missing all but his two front teeth.
The award-winning documentary Bustin' Down the Door 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 and draws upon his earlier biography, Bustin' Down the Door first published in 1996 and reprinted 2002
In 2009 Bartholomew was inducted into the Queensland Sport Hall of Fame.
Awards and honours
Member (AM) in the General Division of the Order of Australia, 2009
Inducted into Australian Walk of Fame, 2006
