COOLANGATTA, Australia, Jan. 29 (UPI) -- Surfing legend Wayne "Rabbit" Bartholomew has announced he will step down as president of the Association of Surfing Professionals this spring.
The Australian said in a written statement that after 10 years on the job, he was at the "height of his effectiveness" and was satisfied with his decision not to seek a fifth term as the tour's president and would leave office in March.
"I have a deep affinity with professional surfing and my personal journey has run a parallel course with the evolution of the sport," Bartholomew said. "This leaves me with a feeling of deep satisfaction and I am confident about the future of the sport of professional surfing."
Bartholomew was a standout in the early days of pro surfing. He won the world title in 1978 and was in the top 5 world rankings for eight consecutive years. His role in the creation of the pro tour was featured in the 2008 documentary "Bustin' Down the Door."
Brodie Carr, CEO of the ASP, said the tour would look at possible successors as well as any potential changes in the president's job description.
