Bustin' Down the Door

articulate, personable, calculating and stylish. Rabbit defines an era of innovation and individuality.' -Kelly Slater From street urchin to world surfing champion to boardroom heavyweight, this edition of the bestselling cult classic captures all the intrigue and adventure of Wayne 'Rabbit' Bartholomew's remarkable personal journey. World Champion in 1978, World Masters Champion in 1999, and CEO/President of the Association of Surfing Professionals for ten years, Rabbit's charisma, flamboyance and warrior spirit have helped define surfing over three decades. In 2009, he was honoured for his contribution to surfing, being appointed a Member of the Order of Australia. BUStIN' DOWN tHE DOOR is a story of unfaltering self-belief, of immense hardship and struggle, and of hilariously wild times, as Rabbit sets off from Australia's Gold Coast, surfboard under his arm, to conquer the surfing world. From spartan days of living on rice and oats while tackling the huge waves of Hawaii, to a glorious rollercoaster ride of parties, fast cars and perfect waves, Rabbit recalls outrageous adventures shared with surfing's most famous figures - including Nat Young, Michael Peterson, Mark Richards, tom Carroll and Kelly Slater.

Rabbit's best-selling biography was first published in 1996 and updated in 2002, chronicling his inspiring journey from Coolangatta street urchin to world champion. Growing up tough on the beaches and the pinball halls of the southern Gold coast of the '60s, Rabbit dreamed of a professional surfing tour before such a thing existed. Trading perfect barrels at Kirra with Michael Peterson and Peter Townend helped prepared him for a Hawaiian baptism of fire and a hair-raising ride on the fledgling pro tour once he'd help will it into existence. Rabbit's career defines the modern pro era, starting with almost nothing, surviving on his wits and rising to the top of the surfing world.
"A distinctly Hunter S. Thomspon quality, with Bartholomew pin balling his way from one wild brawl to another drunken binge, always teetering on the edge of total disaster ... He emerges as someone you'd definitely enjoy having lunch with because he is a born story teller who's been out there and amongst it with the best of them." Peter Fitzsimmons, the Sydney Morning Herald.
"This is a tremendous book: warm, honest inspirational and fun." Mike Coleman, Sunday Telegraph.
"No triumph-over-adversity cliches or mind-numbing statistical blasts here. A sports read offering a legitimate story untouched by agents or PR flunkies ... a fine book." Steve Rielly, The Age.