Bethany Hamilton

Since 1990 there have been 283 shark attacks worldwide; forty of which were fatal. In the past 15 years, reports of shark attacks have substantially increased with over half them occurring in water no deeper than five feet. These bloody encounters happen to unsuspecting, ordinary people who thought it could never happen to them. Bethany Hamilton, a truly brave young role model, was one of those people. Hamilton was born on Kauai, Hawaii. She lives with her parents and two brothers, Noah and Timmy. Both of her parents are surfers who moved to Hawaii from the continental United States for the incredible surfing opportunities the islands offer. Bethany was taught how to surf by her parents when she was very young. Her abilities progressed so quickly that while she was only eight years old, she won first place in the "Push and Ride" division of a Quicksilver surfing contest.

Bull Shark, same type that attacked young Hamilton

Bethany Hamilton could do it all! She swam, played sports, excelled in school, surfed, and unknownst to even her, she could survive the terror of a shark attack! October 31, 2003, was the morning that would change her life forever. On that Halloween day, Bethany and two of her best friends went out to ride the waves of Tunnels Beach, Kauai. Around 7:30 a.m., she was lying sideways on her surfboard with her left arm dangling in the water. Suddenly, a fourteen foot Tiger Shark savagely attacked her, ripping her left arm off just below the shoulder. If the shark had bitten two inches further, the attack would have been fatal. Seeing that she was in trouble, the father of one of the girls paddled out to Bethany as quickly as he could. When he got to her, he immediately tied the surfboard leash around what was left of her arm. By the end of that morning, Hamilton had lost almost 60 percent of her blood. The tourniquet that her friend’s father had tied had saved Bethany’s life. Even as she suffered through the pain and trauma of the attack and the hospital, Hamilton was determined to return to surfing.(The Young Life of Bethany Hamilton.) Just three weeks after the attack, she got on her board and paddled into a new future. She had experienced what noone could ever imagine. Yet, instead of giving up the things she loved to do, she stepped up and faced her fears by heading back into the ocean.

Since the attack, Bethany has appeared on such television shows as 20/20, GMA, Inside Edition, and the Oprah Winfery Show. She has even been featured in People Magazine and Time Magazine. Even more amazing was that in 2004 MTV and MTV Books published Hamilton's book, (Soul Surfer: A True Story of Faith, Family, and Fighting to Get Back on the Board). The book is descibed as a “faith based” novel and it was soon made into a documentary. The book she wrote tells her whole life story and is a remarkable story of her will to survive and her determination to live the way she wants to. The book shows how a teenage girl can go from ordinary, to famous, to an extraordinary role model and become my hero. Bethany has become a role model for young people everywhere.

Being brave is sometimes hard for all of us. Even the toughest men in the world have trouble being brave and overcoming their fears. But in spite of having only one arm Bethany Hamilton makes up for it with her powerful courage. Think about it: if you went up against your biggest fear, could you be brave enough to overcome it? Could you live the rest of your life with an injury that would never heal? After the attack, everyone thought that Bethany’s surfing career was over, including her parents. They were heartbroken over the sudden end to her career. But those opinions just made Hamilton even more determined and eager to get back on a board. Mcgarr, Elizabeth. "Next Wave.”(NCAA Tournament Preview)(FEATURES)(Bethany Hamilton)(Interview)." Sports Illustrated Kids. 22. 2 (March 2010). The fact that everyone was feeling sorry for her it made her fight hard enough to head back into the water in the same area that almost cost her life less than a month before. Bethany’s courage helps her as she pursues her dream of become the Worlds 3rd best women surfer, even with her special physical challenges.

As she continues surfing with only one arm, she has also gone on to become a motivational speaker for middle and high school students. In her presentations she says to them, “Always follow your dreams,”(Bethany Hamilton). That is exactly what Bethany has been doing ever since her life-changing accident. Bethany will always be successful due to the fact that she doesn’t let fear get in the way of her goals. She is an inspiration by the way she lives her life to the fullest and does not let anything stop her. These character traits make her a true leader and a hero to us all.

Works Consuted

Hamilton, Bethany, and Sheryl Burk. "Shark Attack Survivor: Surfer Bethany Hamilton, 14, was nearly torn to shreds while out on her board. Now this brave girl is back riding the waves.(Your Life/True Trauma)(Profile)(Excerpt)." Teen People. 7. 9 (Nov 1, 2004).

The Last Word. (Bethany Hamilton)(Biography)." New Moon Girls. 16. 1 (Sept-Oct 2008): 49(1). Student Resource Center - Gold. Gale. DEL NORTE HIGH SCHOOL. 18 May. 2010.

Mcgarr, Elizabeth. "Next Wave.(NCAA Tournament Preview)(FEATURES)(Bethany Hamilton )(Interview)." Sports Illustrated Kids. 22. 2 (March 2010).

"Bethany Hamilton.(Notebook; Milestones)(Brief article)." Time. 168. 6 (August 7, 2006): 23. Student Resource Center - Gold. Gale. DEL NORTE HIGH SCHOOL. 18 May. 2010.

Surfing champ unimpressed by sharks.(Bethany Hamilton)(Brief article)." Maclean's. 122. 2 (Jan 26, 2009).