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Bethany Hamilton

by Megan from Granite Bay

"I don't need easy, I just need possible." - Bethany Hamilton
Bethany riding the waves (http://sports.espn.go.com/action/surfing/news/story?id=6253710)
Bethany riding the waves (http://sports.espn.go.com/action/surfing/news/story?id=6253710)

Bethany Hamilton was born on February 8, 1990. Both of her parents, Thomas and Cheryl Hamilton, were both surfers and taught bethany how to swim and surf at a very young age. By the time of age 8, she had  entered in her fist competition and won both short and long board competitions. Bethany continued to surf, but one morning, something happened that changed her life.

On October 31, 2001, Bethany's life changed- forever. On Halloween morning, Bethany and her best friend Alana Blanchard and her father, Holt Blanchard, went out for dawn patrol. This was surf slang for early morning sessions. Bethany was probably expecting just a normal surf session. Bethany was lying on her surfboard off Kauai 's North Shore with her arm hanging in the water. Then, the unthinkable happened. A shark came out of nowhere and bit off Bethany's left arm, right below the shoulder. Bethany had felt a lot of pressure and a few fast tugs. The bite was so clean that Bethany didn't realized what had happened until she saw that the water around her was turning red. "Nobody saw it coming.", said Tom Hamilton, Bethany's father. According to Cyndi Ozaki, a spokesperson for Kauai county,

"The water was crystal clear according to people in the area. and there was no indication that a shark was nearby". The shark took a chunk out of Bethany's surfboard. The bite was about 16 inches across and 8 inches deep.his makes people believe 
the shark was about 14-15 feet long. Bethany's father, coincidentally, was already in the hospital because of a knee surgery. When Bethany was rushed to the hospital she remembers one thing. On the way to the hospital, a paramedic had whispered in her ear, "God will never  leave you nor forsake you." Bethany says that she just laid there and prayed the whole way in. Bethany believes that God was the only reason why she is still here today. Even though Bethany had lost her left arm, she was still determined to be the best surfer she could."I don't need easy, I just need possible", Bethany said as she was training.  With hard work, Bethany was back to competing in less than 3 months. At that competition she placed 5th in Open Women's Division. A year later, she got first. Bethany's story touches a lot of people across the world. Bethany believes that God had planned the shark attack so she could later touch and help people all around the world everyday. 


Bethany helping orphans learn how to surf (nelsonb7.wikispaces.com ())
Bethany helping orphans learn how to surf (nelsonb7.wikispaces.com ())

Bethany is involved with many charities, especially her own. Bethany has created her own charity called "Friends of Bethany". Friends of Bethany is a non-profit organization dedicated to sharing the hope and love of Jesus Christ worldwide and inspiring people through Bethany's story. She is the spokesperson for Beating the Odds Foundation and foundation for a Better Life, Spoke at SurfAid International. She has traveled to Thailand with World Vision to the fishing village of Laem Tuk-Kae whose people were trying to recover and restore their livelihoods. Bethany helped orphaned children overcome their fear of the ocean by teaching them how to surf. Bethany still continues to surf professionally and frequently give back to charities across the world. In 2011, Bethany married Adam Dirks, a Christian youth pastor. The couple got married at a 130 acre estate in front of 300 family members and friends. This news sparked articles that had titles like "Shark can't bite Bethany Hamilton's love...." etc.

 Bethany has received many awards for her bravery, kindness, courage, and determination. She has received Espy "Best Comeback Athlete" Award, Honoree recipient of "At Newharth Free Spirit" Award, Nominated for Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards "Favorite Comeback Athlete" (2014), FOX Teen Choice Awards- Courage Awards (2004), ESPY Award (by ESPN)- Comeback Athlete of the Year (July 2004). Bethany Hamilton is a hero to me and millions around the world because she has proved that you can achieve anything if you work hard at it. 

Page created on 12/11/2014 12:00:00 AM

Last edited 12/11/2014 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.