Bethany Hamilton: Attacked by Passion
by Kiran Alvi

Even after a shark removed her left arm with its teeth, Bethany Hamilton, 18, never let her passion for surfing falter. “When I could walk, surfing became my lifestyle,” she said in an interview with IAmThatGirl.com. And her lifestyle hasn’t changed since.

Hamilton began surfing at age 4 in her hometown of North Shore, Kauai. At the age of eight, she entered her first major surfing competition in two categories and took first place in both. Already looking to make a career out of surfing at the age nine, Hamilton began competing more seriously. She won the 1999 Haleiwa Menehune Championships 23rd annual contest among many other awards. She soon picked up a sponsor, Rip Curl, and competed in the National Scholastic Surfing Association (NSSA) circuit. By 13, Hamilton was a successful career woman, swapping the cubicle for the ocean.

Her talent may make the sport look easy, but Hamilton is not impervious to the dangers of surfing. In October 2003, she suffered a shark attack that can be described as life-threatening or, at least, as career-ruining.  The shark ripped off her arm right below her shoulder before disappearing. Hamilton bled profusely and lost 60% of her blood that morning. But she would not let the injury keep her out of the water for long. CNN reported that “Bethany Hamilton returned to competition just 10 weeks after losing her left arm in a shark attack and placed fifth in her age group in the Open Women’s Division of a National Scholastic Surfing Association meet at Banyans.”

Just weeks after the shark attack, there she was, back on the board and winning. When asked about the most challenging part about her recovery, Hamilton said, “Getting the doctor to let me back in the water! He was so worried about details. That shark took more than my arm.  That was the deepest challenge.”

Hamilton downplays her achievements. “No hard part, really. I am lucky to be alive. It’s all easy after that.” It’s hard to fathom losing an arm and calling the recovery easy, but Hamilton explained in her interview that the “attack, comeback, and world adventures are just all a part of the story.” Though she herself does not make a big deal out of the recovery story, Hamilton’s perseverance after the injury has shown the world that nothing can bring her down or deter her from her greatest dreams.

As for her success in surfing, Hamilton attributes it to “family and faith and friends, and a little God given talent.” Her passion and perseverance can’t hurt either. And let’s not forget all the training. Hamilton practices three times a day: dawn, late morning and late afternoon after her studies.

Somehow, she also found time to write a book, Soul Surfer, which highlights her experiences, accomplishments and bravery. She is currently working on a feature length film adaptation of the book which is being produced by Dolphin Entertainment.

Bethany Hamilton is an amazing woman because of both her incredible ability and successful achievements and the humble nature with which she speaks about them. For all other girls out there wanting to pursue their dreams as well, Hamilton told us, “Listen to your inner soul, never give up, and move.  Don’t stand still.” Stay updated on Hamilton and her movie on her website www.bethanyhamilton.com.

bethany hamilton, kauai, NSSA, rip curl, shark attack, surfing