Bethany Hamilton

Bethany Hamilton (the honoluluadvirtiser.com)

A hero is a courageous, fearless, generous, outstanding person that you look up to. My hero is Bethany Hamilton. She is courageous, intelligent, kind, helpful, and fearless. She is a hero because she inspired millions of people to never give up and to keep following their dreams even if something bad happens. When Bethany got bit by a 15 foot tiger shark, she didn’t let that stop her from going back to surfing, she was brave and held on tight to her dream of becoming a professional surfer.

Bethany Hamilton surfing (www.nationalgeographic.com)

Bethany Hamilton's family have always been surfers. Bethany was only four years old when she started surfing. Bethany's mom took her out on a wave and taught her how to surf. The beach where Bethany learned how to surf was Hanalei Pier, which is located in Kauai, Hawaii. Some other spots that Bethany loves to surf at are Pine Trees, Trussels, Bells Tourquay, and Popaya-Santana, which was stated in her book, "Soulsurfer." Bethany has been a phenomenal surfer since she was four. Unfortunately, on October 31st, 2003, Halloween Morning, Bethany and her freind Alana Blanchard were surfing and Bethany went further out and was relaxing on her surfboard, waiting to catch a wave, when all of a sudden she felt hard tugs at her left arm. When she looked down the water was bright red. Bethany screamed to Alana,"I just was attacked by a shark!" Once Bethany had said that, Mr.Blanchard came swimming over as fast as he could because they were 20 minutes away from the shore.

Bethany and her freinds at a competition. (www.lostenterprises.com)

Luckily for Bethany, the doctors were able to save her life. She had lost 40% of the blood in her body. They did not think she would be able to survive but she did. Bethany siad, "It was her love in God and faith that did not let her die." Right after Bethany had her surgery, the first thing she asked was, "When can I start surfing again?" The doctors told her at least 3 weeks, so that her arm could heal. That shows that Bethany was was not only fearless, but her mind and heart were set on surfing so she could practice to become a more modified surfer than she was. One of the things that saved Bethany's life was her faith, love, loyalty, and commitment to God. One of my favorite quotes that is Bethany's most famous quote is, "People can do whatever they want if they just set their heart on it." Bethany has followed that her whole life and succeeded in whatever she has done and that is why she is where she is in her life today.

Bethany surfing. (www.lagunaphoto.com)

Bethany Hamilton has inspired millions of people in many ways. She has been to many talk shows, TRL, magazines, she has even written books about what had happened to her and how she was strong and brave through it all. She inspired people of all types of races, disabilities, religions and just modern day people. Bethany inspired people who have disabilities to never give up and to stay strong and keep trying. Bethany is encouraging people to keep doing what they are good at or to find new hobbies that would be easier for them and to make them feel comfortable and not discouraged by their disablilities. Bethany is the type of girl that you would want to hang out with and she will just make you laugh and have a good time. She is an amazing, graceful, pretty, outsanding, funny, kind, phenomenal girl, and you will probably not find any girl that is like Bethany Hamilton.

Bethany hamilton posing for a film shot. (www.pbifilmfest.org)

Bethany's life ever since the attack has been a challenge for her to get used to. She taught herself how to cut fruits, put her clothes on, and surf again. A lot of who Bethany is comes from her parents. She said,"They are incredible people and parents who have always worked hard to reach their goals and dreams." She also grew up with two older brothers so she was the tomboy type. She was always surfing, snowboarding, and skateboarding with her friends. Bethany has had a lot of practice in surfng and when she isn't surfing she is usually hanging out with her freinds or at home being home-schooled. She was home-schooled because she had to be most of the time surfing and practicing her heart out. She was dedicated to her dream of becoming a professional surfer.