Bethany Hamilton was born into a family of surfers in Hawaii. By the age of 7, Bethany was surfing without help from her parents. At age 8, her parents entered her into her first surf contest where she won first in both divisions. By 13 she was an incredible surfer and continued winning surf contest after surf contest. But her dream of becoming a pro surfer was interrupted by a serious shark attack in 2003 severing her left arm. However, unlike most people, she maintained an incredibly positive attitude based largely on her faith and was determined to come back to surfing. Despite the difficulty in surfing with only one arm, and requiring serious physical therapy, Bethany defied all odds and returned to her dream of being a pro surfer.
In fact, she was back in the water less than a month after the attack. Rather than accept the additional five minutes the judges were willing to give her in competitions, she denied any special treatment. With the confidence of a warrior, Bethany ignored her fears of sharks, dared the impossible, and in 2005 took FIRST PLACE in the Explorer Women’s division of the NSSA National Championship, winning her first NATIONAL TITLE! She continues to compete in the most challenging wave and competitions as she continues living out her dream of being a pro surfer.
Since then Bethany has been on every major talk show and radio station, you can find her face on the covers of magazines and she recently wrote a book called Soul Surfer. As if that’s not enough, she is also working on a career as a singer and songwriter with her first album, Armless.
Bethany defines fearlessness. Not even losing her arm could prevent her from achieving her dreams and, at 18, she is rocking it as a pro-surfer, author, singer and a living, breathing inspiration. Too often in life do we make excuses for why we can’t do this, achieve that and yet Bethany defies all odds to relentlessly pursue her dreams. Bethany is “That Girl” in every way.
photo by kanaka’s paradise life
27
Jul
Bethany Hamilton: Attacked by Passion
by Kiran Alvi
0 Comments | Posted by thatgirl in Making Waves, That Girl
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.