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Bethany Hamilton

by Abbi from Bradford

People can do whatever they want if they just set their heart to it, and just never give up and go out there and do it.
Bethany (Google images)
Bethany (Google images)

Have you ever quit a sport because of an injury? My hero Bethany Hamilton never did. in October 2003 Bethany was bit by a shark while surfing and never quit the sport of surfing!

This is a picture of Bethany's family. (Bethany's website)
This is a picture of Bethany's family. (Bethany's website)

Bethany was born Febuary 8, 1990 in Kaui, Hawaii, USA. Bethany was home-schooled in middle school and decided to go back to school in high school and enrolled at Port Richmond high school. Bethany's brothers' names are Noah and Timmy. Her parents' names are Tom and Cheri. In 2003 Bethany placed 2nd in Open Womens Division of surfing. In Bethany's young years, Bethany was very passionate about surfing which let her know surfing was her calling in life. Bethany lived in Hawaii which gave her the perfect opportunity to become a surfer girl. She spent over half the day in the water every day.

Bethany with her surf board (Bethany's Website)
Bethany with her surf board (Bethany's Website)

Bethany's influences were her brothers Timmy and Noah because they supported Bethany when she was learning how to surf in her early years. They influenced her because she knows they have faith in her because they helped her through all steps of surfing. Bethany's obstacle was getting bit by a shark in 2003 while surfing which was a problem to continue surfing.The shark bit Bethany's left arm in the middle of the ocean and Bethany managed to swim back to shore after the shark bit her. Bethany knew getting bit was going to be a problem for her to continue surfing but she overcame that challenge and had faith which led Bethany to success in her life with surfing. Since Bethany had faith in her self she could get back in the water and get back to surfing .

Bethany surfing (Google images)
Bethany surfing (Google images)

One of Bethany's actions that stood out to me was that after Bethany got bit, only 3 weeks later Bethany was already back into the water, fearless of getting bit by a shark again. Since Bethany got back into the water so soon Bethany accomplished teaching herself to surf with only one arm and when Bethany was haviing troubles with learnimg how to surf she would take a break. She was having a hard time learning how to balance on her surfboard, so she then got a longer surfboard to help her balance on the waves. The next day Bethany knew she had a new outlook and she tried again the next day.

Bethany learning how to surf with one arm (Bethanys website)
Bethany learning how to surf with one arm (Bethanys website)

To me, three of Bethany's characteristics would be perseverance because she kept trying and trying till she got it right. Next, courage because after Bethany got bit she was back in the water in only 3 weeks with so much courage. The last trait is optimism because she practiced surfing till she could start surfing again. I choose these three traits because I thought they explained Bethany very well. I especially choose courage because I thought if Bethany didn't have courage she wouldn't be this successful in life.

My hero influences me because Bethany doesn't quit, she keeps trying and that influenced me because it proves every person really has the power to do what they put their mind to. Bethany put her mind towards surfing and now look how sucessful Bethany is with only one arm to surf with. Bethany also influences me because she didn't just learn to surf but she taught herself to learn with one arm after 3 weeks from the bite and she still came back to surf with her head up.

Bethany was a very inspirational and influential person to me and she was a greater person the more I read about her. I hope you have enjoyed my story. If I could suggest a hero to you I would definitely choose Bethany Hamilton because she is a great person to be your hero. I hope one day Bethany will be your hero. Thank you for reading my story. I hope you enjoyed it.

Page created on 5/5/2010 12:00:00 AM

Last edited 5/5/2010 12:00:00 AM

The beliefs, viewpoints and opinions expressed in this hero submission on the website are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the beliefs, viewpoints and opinions of The MY HERO Project and its staff.

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