Wayne Bartholomew
Wayne "Rabbit" Bartholomew is an Australian surfer who won the World Surfing Championship in 1978, 1999 and 2003. Bartholomew was also the former President of the Association of Surfing Professionals 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 his prominent 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 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 in 2002.
In 2009 Bartholomew was inducted into the Queensland Sport Hall of Fame.Awards and honours
- Member 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
- 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.
