RABBIT Ends Pro Years

Wayne "Rabbit" Bartholomew, 54, is drawing a close to his 36 Years career in Pro Surfing.



( Courtesy of Surfer's Village )


“After deep consideration, I have decided not to seek a fifth term as ASP President,” Bartholomew said. “I depart from ASP with nothing but positive feelings. After 36 years in the engine room of the sport, the timing of this decision is of the utmost importance to me. I feel the time is right. I leave at the height of my effectiveness perhaps I could say the height of my popularity in the surfing world.”

The original “Coolangatta Kid” punctuated a stunning 12 years as a touring professional surfer with a World Title in 1978 and 8 consecutive years in the top 5. Bartholomew’s 36 years in the sport also saw him collect World Titles in the ASP Masters (1999) and ASP Grand Masters (2003) divisions, serve 11 years as surfer representative on the ASP Board, eight years as the regional representative, four years as CEO/President and finally his decade-long stint as President of ASP International.

For more, go to: ASP: Rabbit

BIOGRAPHY with Tim Baker:



DVD's:

2008 ASP Masters in Brazil

[ Excerpt of an ASP press release: "Brazil to Host Historic Assemblage of Talent for 2008 ASP World Masters," EXPN.go.com, May 7, 2008 ]


For the first time in five years, the ASP World Masters Championships will assemble some of the most legendary names in professional surfing to Rio de Janeiro's Barra de Tijuca from June 30 through July 6, 2008 to crown the 2008 ASP World Masters and ASP World Grand Masters Champions.

The Rio Masters will feature two divisions in the ASP Masters (surfers aged over 35) and the ASP Grand Masters (surfers aged over 47). The top 14 in each division are invited directly off of ASP career ratings (points being accrued by winning ASP World Titles, Top 5 World rankings, Top 10 World rankings and time spent on the ASP World Tour)...

Confirmed athletes to this season's Rio Masters include former ASP World Champions Mark Occhilupo (AUS), Shaun Tomson (ZAF), Peter Townend (AUS), Rabbit Bartholomew (AUS), Tom Curren (USA), Damien Hardmen (AUS), Martin Potter (ZAF) and Derek Ho (HAW) as well as former ASP World Masters Champions Gary Elkerton (AUS), Michael Ho (HAW), Cheyne Horan (AUS) and Terry Richardson (AUS). Other confirmed athletes include Brad Gerlach (USA), Rob Bain (AUS), Dave Macaulay (AUS), Hans Hedemann (HAW), Buzzy Kerbox (HAW), Simon Anderson (AUS) and Ian Cairns (AUS)...

"Wonderful to have the Masters back on again," [Shaun] Tomson said. "I'll be there with bells on and definitely looking forward to seeing the guys again and having a great event in Rio."

The 2008 Rio Masters will be the first of a three-year license for Brazil, and this year's event will stand alone in terms of Masters events, crowning both the ASP World Masters Champion and ASP World Grand Masters Champion...



( Barra de Tijuca image courtesy of Oglobo.globo.com )


ASP World Masters Championships Past Champions: Aged 35 and over:

2003: Gary Elkerton (AUS)
2001: Gary Elkerton (AUS)
2000: Gary Elkerton (AUS)
1999: Cheyne Horan (AUS)
1998: Joey Buran (USA)
1997: Terry Richardson (AUS)

ASP World Grand Masters Championships Past Champions: Aged 47 and over:

2003: Rabbit Bartholomew (AUS)
2001: Mark Richards (AUS)
2000: Michael Ho (HAW)
1999: Rabbit Bartholomew (AUS)
1998: Buzzy Kerbox (HAW)

For more information, log onto www.aspworldtour.com