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Bethany Hamilton

by Natalie from Chicago

Bethany Surfing (http://mommylife.net/archives/2011/04/soul_surfer_-_b.html)
Bethany Surfing (http://mommylife.net/archives/2011/04/soul_surfer_-_b.html)

Bethany Hamilton was born in 1990 in Lihue, Kauai, Hawaii. Her parents were surfers so she learned to surf at the age 4. Then 4 years later competed in her first real surf competition: Rell Sunn Menehune Surfing Championship on Oahu, Hawaii. At age 9 she got her first major surf sponsorship with Rip Curl and Tim Carroll Surfboards. When she was 13 she took 2nd at the NSSA National Championships in July! All of sudden her surfing career went into risk.

Bethany with her  surf board  that the shark bit. (http://goldsmithlearning.com)
Bethany with her surf board that the shark bit. (http://goldsmithlearning.com)

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. 26 days later she was back in the water surfing. She received international TV, magazine, and newspaper recognition. Bethany was doing great for surfing with one arm but she struggled with duck-diving. Her dad then created a handle to go on her surfboards to help her with duck-diving.

Bethany Surfing (http:// true-storm.blogspot.com)
Bethany Surfing (http:// true-storm.blogspot.com)

In 2004 at the age 14 she won many awards. She was presented a award from the Surf Industry Manufactures Association, the award was call "Wahine O Ke Kai" which in Hawaiian means "Woman of the Sea". Best selling autobiography Soul Surfer was released in 2004. She also visited wounded US Soldiers in Germany. In 2005 at age 15 she won the US national under 18 surf championship. Some of her 2006- 2009 highlights are. Filming Walking on Water Surf Movie and Bethany's Documentary. In 2007 she became pro. At age 19 took 2nd place in World Junior (under 20) Championship in Sydney, Australia! In 2010 Soul Surfer a movie about Bethany's story started being filmed. In 2011 Soul Surfer hit theaters on April 8, 2011.

Bethany has amazing story. Lucky for her that story didn't end at age 13. Bethany is only 22 and still has a chapter ahead of her. In 2011 she became an Auntie on August 13, 2011. Bethany is my hero!

Page created on 10/25/2012 12:00:00 AM

Last edited 10/25/2012 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.

Related Links

Bethany Hamilton - Bethany's Story and More
Duckdiving 101 - surfinghandbook.com

Bibliography

Hamilton, Bethany. "Bethany Hamilton." [Online] Available http://bethanyhamilton.com.

Fiolek, Ashley. "Bethany Hamilton | MAKERS." [Online] Available http://www.makers.com/bethany-hamilton?ncid=keywrdusmake00000001&s_kwcid=TC-18081-11835057094-bb-134.

Barbara. "Soul Surfer." [Online] Available http://mommylife.net/archives/2011/04/soul_surfer_-_b.html.

Remi. "Bethany Hamilton Info." [Online] Available http://www.goldsmithlearning.com/homeroom_2009/remi/bethany.html.

Youth, Kings. "Bethany Hamilton Info." [Online] Available http://storm-true.blogspot.com/2011/04/bethany-hamilton.html.