Bethany Hamilton

(http://www.soulsurfer.com/story.html ())

"I think it doesn't matter if you are the best surfer in the world. I'm going to be the best or if I can be. It's not all about competing in being the best. It's more about having fun and just doing what you love"(Bethany Hamilton). Her quote describes the way how she lives her life by, just trying as hard as she can to succeed. Bethany Hamilton was one of the best teen surfers at the age of 13. On October 31, 2003 she was attacked by shark and lost her left arm. Then three weeks later she began surfing again and became even bigger and better as a person and a surfer. She learned how to be happy and live life to the fullest, her determination has lead her to her having guts. Today you can find her helping others in need and known for being one of the most famous people in the nation. Believing in herself and not giving up, she has reached your dreams and help others reach their dreams. Bethany Hamilton shows people by her determination and her having guts that giving up is not an option.

http://www.polyvore.com/shark_that_bit_bethany_ham ()

Having guts is not something people are born with, it's what they do and how they can overcome it. Bethany Hamilton hasn't born with it, she had to develop it over the years after her accident and it showed in a positive way. "Bethany Hamilton was a 13-year-old surfer, and one of the best amateurs in the United States, when she was bitten by a shark while surfing in October of 2003" ("Bethany Hamilton"). At only 13 years old she got attacked by a 15 foot tiger shark and lost her left arm. Other surfers might say it is a disadvantage for her when they were competing. Even though she was one of the best surfers in the nation, she became bigger and better without her arm. Bethany pursuing what she loves has made her one of the most inspirational hero figures:"Today, the 19-year-old surfer is back in the water and back in the news as she awaits the 2010 release of a movie based on her life, entitled Heart of a Soul Surfer"(Speed). After losing 60% of her blood volume, she got back in the water and kept her head held high. Now with a book and a movie telling how she had the guts to get back to what she loves, she is better than ever as a person and a surfer. Bethany Hamilton has shown she had the strength and the perseverance to get back to what she loves and it all paid off at the end.

Accepting Teen Choice award at 14 years old (http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/gallery/2004-0 ())

After doing the same routine throughout your life and then somebody or something made you to change it, it would be hard. Bethany Hamilton had her determination and it had helped her find a new way to everything in her life."Dad created a handle to go on my surfboards to help with duck-diving." ("Bethany Hamilton") . This quote shows that Bethany wasn't the only one who was determined to get herself back in the water and in life, her whole family and her friends were behind her one hundred percent. Her dad was the most determined to help Bethany out. He made specific surfboards and ways to cope with being able to only use one arm. Now she is able to do the moves and the necessities she needs to do well in the world. Bethany's dad was a great help in Bethany's future success, because she became way better than she was before. "In July 2004, Hamilton won the ESPY Award for "Best Comeback Athlete." She was presented with a special courage award at the 2004 Teen Choice Awards. In 2005, Hamilton won the NSSA National Championships and in 2008, she began competing full time in the Association of Surfing Professionals World Qualifying Series (WQS)." (Speed). Once she got back she exceeded beyond expectations for a 13 year old girl, not only as a surfer but as better person. She had won awards as an athlete and being a spectacular human being. For example, she had also written a book and made a movie called "Soul Surfer," to explain her life story. Her determination didn't just stand out to other surfers, it stood out to millions.

Bethany surfing after her accident (https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2009/jun/28/beth ())

Bethany has shown her fans that anything is possible if you have the guts and the determination, it can you let you do anything you put your mind to. "Bethany is being sold as a symbol of the gleaming possibility of America. She is good news in a country desperately seeking a lift, a role model and an influence."(Cowley). She is a huge inspiration to others, because even after she lost her arm she kept going and was an inspiration to them all across the world. She shows that giving up is not the answer, and push through any obstacle that is in your way. As Bethany once said, "I think it doesn't matter if you are the best surfer in the world. I'm going to be the best or if I can be. It's not all about competing in being the best. It's more about having fun and just doing what you love."(Bethany Hamilton). She is saying that as long as you try the best you can in doing what you love the most, nothing is impossible.

Works Cited Page

"Bethany Hamilton." Gale Biography in Context. Detroit: Gale, 2005. Biography in Context.

Cowley, Jason. "Americans love their little surfer girl, but what about the shark?" New Statesman

19 Jan. 2004: 57. Biography in Context. Web. 2 May 2016.

Speed, Marie. "Getting back on the board: nothing could keep young Bethany Hamilton from

pursuing her passion as a surfer--not even the fear of another shark attack." Success Feb. 010: 36+.Biography in Context. Web. 27 Apr. 2016.