RABBIT’S FEAT
ANDY MAC’S SURF SCENE EXCLUSIVE
YOU can’t keep a good man down and especially if it’s a Gold Coast surfing legend like Wayne “Rabbit” Bartholomew.
The Coolangatta 1978 world champion has had his shares of ups and downs but mostly ups when continuing to pave the way for surfing achievements as a global surfing ambassador.
“Bugs” was responsible for turning professional surfing into the Dream Tour with events held in magic locations instead of less than idyllic surfing conditions.
As CEO of the Association of Surfing Professionals (1999 -2014) – now World Surf League – Rabbit had the vision and the passion to take professional surfing to the next level.
When Brazilian IT manager Mano Zuil approached him in the early ’90s about electronic scoring for waves, it was the start of a whole new era. By 2003 the live webcast was introduced with instant scoring and the world’s best were competing in the best surf together with the introduction of the best two waves.
That was a direct legacy of Rabbit’s contribution to world professional surfing.
So it is no surprise that Bugs will be given a lifetime achievement award from the Surf Industry Manufacturers Association when he travels to California next month. The award will be presented by surf industry heavyweight Bob Hurley.
While in California, Rabbit will be a special guest at the San Clemente Surfing Heritage and Culture Centre who will be calling on his services for yet another stirring speech as Bartholomew is never one to be lost for words.
As the number one patron of Gold Coast World Surfing Reserve, he continues to press the message of ocean conservation and a better future for professional surfing.
He is concerned Aussie kids are doing it tough without the sponsorship needed to compete when it is now so costly to travel and pay to enter professional events.
Rabbit surfs regularly with his two sons Jaggar and Keo who are both following in their dad’s footsteps.
At the annual BK Byron Bay Classic, father and sons figured prominently with a first for Jaggar in the under-18s, second for dad in the over-60s and third for Keo in the under-16s.
After Rabbit’s US tour, he will make a professional comeback for the WSL Masters in September at the Azores, Portugal.
The dual world masters champion (1999 and 2003) will have his competition cut out taking on former world champ Tom Carroll.