Bethany Hamilton

Bethany Hamilton (breakfastwithbethany.wordpress.com ())

Bethany Hamilton is a surviving victim from a shark attack that took her left arm, but not her faith and dedication. Bethany was born and raised in Kauai, Hawaii. She was born into the surfing life because her parents and siblings were very active in the water. Bethany was 5 years old when she got on a surfboard, she quickly progressed with her surfing skills. She had entered many contests and won first place (Honolulu Advertiser). Bethany was determined to achieve the goals she had set for herself. Missing an arm is a disadvantage but it did not stop Hamilton at all. She has worked very hard and she finally achieved becoming a world champion surfer like she had dreamed of. Despite Bethany Hamilton's disability, she kept the determination and courage to keep living her dream.

On a beautiful, sunny day in late October of 2003, Bethany and some friends had decided to hit the waves at the Tunnels. What seemed like a perfect day to surf turned into a nightmare within seconds. Hamilton was floating on her surfboard with her left arm in the water dangling, waiting for the waves to surface. Without any warning, a 14 foot tiger shark took a bite of her left arm and her surfboard. During this attack, the shark took her whole left arm off just below her shoulder. Her friends quickly paddled her to shore, all worried if she would die because of so much blood loss. Hamilton lost more than 60% of her blood, encountered several surgeries, but survived it all. She put all her faith into God and let him take the wheel of her recovery.

Hamilton was back on the board only a short 26 days after her attack. She told ABC News that she got back on the board for herself and not for the Press. Hamilton's biggest worry was losing her sponsors, Rip Curl. The biggest factor in helping Bethany get back into the water was that she never physically saw the shark. Learning to surf without an arm was a challenge for Hamilton but her determination and courage was so great that she refused to give up. Her family was there to support her along the way. Bethany put all her faith into God, to push her into the right direction and have Him help her along the way.

There wasn't a day that went by, that Bethany was not in the water trying to improve her surfing with only one arm. She won many championships with her disability. Bethany is greatly know for winning a world champion title. Hamilton couldn't have made it this far without family support, determination, hard work, and faith. Surfing is a part of her life and always will be, disregarding her disability.