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Bethany Hamilton

by Brooke from Roanoke

Bethany today ((https://www.google.com/search?q=bethany+hamilton&es_sm=93&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=3eIiVIbRJd))
Bethany today ((https://www.google.com/search?q=bethany+hamilton&es_sm=93&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=3eIiVIbRJd))

Bethany Meilani Hamilton became a source of inspiration for many people through her story of faith, determination, and hope. Bethany was born into a family of surfers on February 8th, 1990, on the island of Kauai, Hawaii. When Bethany was eight she entered her first surf competition, the Rell Sun Menehune on Oahu, where she won both the short and long board division. This was just the start of her love for surf competition. At the age of thirteen, on October 31, 2003, Bethany was attacked by a 14-foot tiger shark while surfing off Kauai's North Shore. The attack left Bethany with a severed left arm. After losing over 60% of her blood, and making it through several surgeries without infection, Bethany was on her way to recovery with an unbelievably positive attitude. Lifeguards and doctors believe her strong water sense and faith in God helped get her through the traumatic ordeal. Miraculously, just one month after the attack, Bethany returned to the water to continue pursuing her goal to become a professional surfer.

Bethany Surfing after her Shark attack ( (https://www.google.com/search?q=bethany+hamilton&es_sm=93&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=3eIiVIbRJd))
Bethany Surfing after her Shark attack ( (https://www.google.com/search?q=bethany+hamilton&es_sm=93&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=3eIiVIbRJd))

In January of 2004, Bethany made her return to surf competition; placing 5th in the Open Women's division of that contest. With no intention of stopping, Bethany continued to enter and excel in competition. Just over a year after the attack she took 1st place in the Explorer Women's division of the 2005 NSSA National Championships - winning her first National Title. In 2007, Bethany realized her dream and turned pro. Bethany has since participated in numerous ASP and World Tour Events with a major highlight being a second place finish in the ASP 2009 World Junior Championships.

Since losing her arm, Bethany's story has been told in hundreds of media outlets and she has been recognized with numerous awards, public appearances, and various speaking engagements & Appearances. In October 2004, Bethany shared her life story in her autobiography entitled Soul Surfer. Seven years later, the book was made into a major motion picture bearing the same title which released in 2011. Other books Bethany has written include "Soul Surfer Devotions," "Rise Above," a "Soul Surfer" Bible, "Ask Bethany," and "Clash," "Burned," "Storm," and "Crunch." Besides being an author and shearing her story with the world by speaking at many well-known events and colleges Bethany is a professional surfer and to this day still is surfing. Surfing is Bethany's passion.

Bethany teaching a man with no legs how to surf ( (https://www.google.com/search?q=bethany+hamilton&es_sm=93&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=3eIiVIbRJdi)
Bethany teaching a man with no legs how to surf ( (https://www.google.com/search?q=bethany+hamilton&es_sm=93&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=3eIiVIbRJdi)

Bethany was the inspiration behind Becky Baumgartner's 2007 documentary entitled Heart of a Soul Surfer. From a young age, Bethany's parents instilled their faith in Jesus Christ; and at age 5, she made the decision to have a personal relationship with Him. Bethany's foundation of faith has been her backbone; her source of truth, hope, and strength. Out of the water, Bethany has grown from a young teenage girl with aspirations of becoming a professional surfer into a twenty-four-year old professional surfer with aspirations of becoming a beacon of inspiration and hope. Through the platform of professional sport, Bethany has been able to touch a large number of people with her message, charitable efforts, and overall spirit. Bethany is involved in numerous charitable efforts, including her own foundation, Friends of Bethany, which supports shark attack survivors, amputees, and serves to inspire others through her life story. She strives to be an example and an advocate for healthy living. Sharing her expertise as an athlete, in her 2014 book "Body and Soul," she helps young girls develop a healthy lifestyle, understand their changing bodies, gain confidence, and establish a pattern of healthy living starting at a young age. Both her book and lifestyle emphasize the importance balance of physical and spiritual health. Married at the age of 23 to Christian youth minister, Adam Dirks, Bethany has a story that is continually growing as she strives to be the best at whatever God calls her to do. The future is truly wide open for this young surfer.

Bethany Hamilton was a huge impact on the society as well as the world. She always looks at everything in a positive way no matter the circumstances. Sometimes life puts you through the toughest situations and expects you to get through them but with God you can get through anything. Bethany has inspired so many people in a positive way. She strives to do her best and never lets anything get in her way. If you can look at life through Bethany Hamilton's eyes you can be as much as an impact on your community and possibly even the world just like Bethany did herself.

Page created on 9/29/2014 12:00:00 AM

Last edited 9/29/2014 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.

Extra Info

Many people characterize a hero as brave, courageous, someone who saves the day. But in truth, heroes are everywhere. They could be friends, family, that guy across the street, because anyone can be a hero. In my case, that hero would be Ms. Bethany Hamilton. She was born on the island of Kauai and raised on a surfboard, floating on the ocean water. She was a Christian child, an avid surfer and was majorly influenced by her family and close friends. One of her dreams was to become a professional surfer, and with her unmistakable talent, it was practically her destiny. Her life, in a sense, was perfect until one day in October of 2003 when she hit the waves. A shark ripped off a chunk of her board along with her left arm, almost killing her. Luckily, her friend was able to get her to safety and stop some of her bleeding before she got to the hospital. When she awoke to see she had no arm, she felt as if she were living a nightmare. At only 13 years old, her dreams seemed as though they had been torn right from her grasp and shattered on the floor. But she would soon overcome the challenges of daily life without an arm, even exceed expectations. Now, she is surfing in competitions again and is one of the best in the world. (John). A hero, in my eyes, is someone who does the admirable thing in a challenging situation. The one that never gives up when all hope seems lost. They may not necessarily be the one who saves the day, but they are the one to look up to. Bravery, dedication and generosity are only a few characteristics that describe Bethany and are reasons why I believe she is a hero. Not long after the accident, Hamilton showed her bravery by jumping back into the shark-inhabited waters. The thought of another attack was daunting and getting rid of the fear would prove to be a challenge. Hamilton would show that her fear could not keep her off the waves. "When she was later asked if she had any fear of the ocean, Hamilton said 'I don't feel differently about the water, but I think of sharks more often.' These thoughts didn't keep her off the waves." ("Bethany Hamilton"). After the accident her fears of sharks greatly increased but she never let go of her dream. Even though some anxiety still lurks inside her, she toughs it out and continues to do what she loves. The bravery in her heart consumed her fear as she continued to pursue her goal, and she would not let measly sharks stand in the way of that. Hamilton still battles her fears as many of them do not go away. "There have been moments when Bethany and her mother are haunted by that October 2003 morning. But 'I hardly ever get worried,' she says, and she has ways of calming herself down." (Rochlin). Countless times fears find their way back into our eyes, and we learn to confront them, just as Bethany and her mother have. She copes with the fact that there are still sharks out there through both her faith and music, never letting them hold her back. They do not let the unfortunate incident control their lives, because the alternative of living in fear is a life no one would ever want to live. Hamilton leaves her fears behind her once she gets into the water. Her love and dedication towards surfing help her to become the brave figure that she is. Being dedicated means a person will not stop at anything to continue what they do. It requires determination, willingness and the pure passion for the thing they do. This was Hamilton's perspective: "As the wound healed her focus returned to the water. Not only would she continue to ride waves, but she also decided she would retrain herself." (Rochlin). Just like a little kid loves candy, Bethany Hamilton loves the ocean. She was not just dedicated to the sport of surfing, but she loved it to the point where she could not live without it.