Bethany Hamilton

"Courage doesn't mean you don't get afraid, courage means you don't let fear stop you" (“Quotables: Shark Victim Bethany Hamilton on Courage"). Bethany Hamilton is a true hero to all. She does not let anything or anyone get in her way of success. Bethany is a young American surfer. She was born and raised in Kauai, Hawaii (Brown). She started surfing at the age of three (Brown). She was a determined and a strong-willed girl. She would not let anyone stop the young surfer from achieving her dreams. Bethany liked to compete in surf competitions. She did not have any fears of anything especially the water, not knowing what was lurking under her in that same blue water she grew up in. Bethany Hamilton, a young female surfer, is an inspiration to all because of her courage in the face of danger, her strength in recovery, and her accomplishments in the water and surfing.

Bethany Hamilton looked danger in the eye, had the courage and determination to overcome it. For example, Brown interviewed Bethany for her article the soul surfer said, "My main fear was that I wasn't going to be able to surf any longer. In the end my love for surfing helped me over come my fear of sharks"(Brown). This young girl must have had a lot of courage to get back into that dangerous water after the shark attack. Bethany was determined to get back out there. She was not going to let some silly shark or losing her arm stop her. Bethany had her friends and family to help her through her recovery. They would not let her give up on her dreams. They kept on pushing her to get back into the water and surf. Bethany's coach, Ms. Blanchard, was not going to let her dreams be destroyed by one accident. "We're going to get her back on a short board" (Paul). They did not let her quit. Her mother and father wanted her to strive for her dreams and for success in the field of surfing. Bethany had a fast recovery. It only took Bethany three weeks to recover (Brown). During her time of healing and recovery, Bethany had her friends, family, and the courage to defeat it.

Bethany Hamilton is an inspiration to all because of what she overcame. Brown interviewed Bethany a of couple weeks after she got back into the water. "She was lying on her board, her left arm dangling in the water, when she saw something large and grey beneath her. Then she felt a violent tug as the shark grabbed her- the water turned red" (Brown). After she got attacked, she stayed calm and paddled back to shore to get help. Bethany swam all the way back and got help. It took her three weeks to recover from the attack (Brown). She went through the recovery fast and rapidly (Paul). Bethany had the strength and determination to get through it. Bethany talked to Paul about her love of surfing. “Bethany has loved surfing since she was able to walk and won three surfing competitions when she was eight years old. She was determined despite- losing her left arm- to surf again” (Mallozzi). No shark can keep her out of the water. Bethany had to learn to cope with one arm. She said, "Just because I have one arm, I don't want to be treated any differently from anyone" (Paul). Bethany Hamilton survived a tragic shark attack and got back into the water. She was determined to stay positive in her mind.

After losing her left arm and becoming traumatized by the accident, she got back into the water. Not to make her family happy, but to make herself happy. The strength in recovery was fast and rapid. She had her friends and family there to support her along the way. Bethany Hamilton inspires me and others by showing us that you might have some obstacles in life but you should not let that get in the way. She shows me that nothing should get in the way of your dreams and goals. Bethany strived for her dreams in life. She never let anything get in her way. One cannot let fear get in the way of their dreams.

Work Consulted
“Brown, Patricia Leigh. "Surfer on Her Way Up, Brought Down by a Shark." New York Times 4 Nov. 2003: A1. Gale Student Resources In Context. Web. 6 May. 2011.

"Bethany Hamilton." Action Sports on GrindTV - Moto, Snow, Surf, Skate, Bike, Film, Art, Style. Web. 20 May 2011.

"Bethany Hamilton - "Soul Surfer" Los Angeles Premiere - Arrivals." Celebrity Photos and Gossip at ExpoSay. Web. 20 May 2011

“Mallozzi,” Vincent M. "A love of surfing overpowers the fear of sharks." New York Times 3 Apr. 2011: 11(L). Gale Student Resources In Context. Web. 2 May. 2011

“Paul, Taylor. "Bethany Hamilton 21 years old: Hanalei, Kauai." Surfing July 2011: 62. Gale Student Resources In Context. Web. 12 May 2011.

Soul Surfer: a True Story of Faith, Family, and Fighting to Get Back on the Board." Publishers Weekly 251.45 (2004): 57. Gale Student Resources In Context. Web. 12 May 2011

"The last word." New Moon Girls Sept.-Oct. 2008: 49. Gale Student Resources In Context. Web. 12 May 2011.

“Quotables: Shark Victim Bethany Hamilton on Courage." Monkey Outta Nowhere. Web. 19 May