Bethany Hamilton has become a nguồn of inspiration to millions through her story of faith, determination, and hope. Born into a family of surfers on February 8, 1990, on the island of Kauai, Hawaii, Bethany began surfing at a young age. At the age of eight, Bethany entered her first surf competition, the Rell Sun Menehune event on Oahu, where she won both the short and long board divisions. This sparked a tình yêu for surf competition within her spirit.
At the age of thirteen, on October 31, 2003, Bethany was attacked bởi a 14-foot tiger cá mập 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, Bethany was on her way to recovery with an unbelievably positive attitude. Lifeguards and doctors believe her strong water sense and faith in God helped get her through the traumatic ordeal.
Miraculously, just one tháng after the attack, Bethany returned to the water to continue pursuing her goal to become a professional surfer. In January of 2004, Bethany made her return to surf competition; placing 5th in the Open Women’s division of that contest. With no intention of stopping, Bethany continued to enter and excel in competition. Just over a năm after the attack she took 1st place in the Explorer Women’s division of the 2005 NSSA National Championships – winning her first National Title.
In 2007, Bethany realized her dream and turned pro. Bethany has since participated in numerous ASP and World Tour Events with her major highlight being a một giây place finish in the ASP 2009 World Junior Championships. (See Career Highlights and Surf Related News for thêm results)
Since losing her arm, Bethany’s story has been told in hundreds of media outlets and she has been recognized with numerous awards, public appearances, and various speaking engagements. (See Awards & Appearances)
In October 2004, Bethany shared her life story in her autobiography entitled Soul Surfer. The book is currently being made into a major motion picture bearing the same tiêu đề and is to be released in April 2011. Other sách Bethany has written include “Devotions for the Soul Surfer,” “Rise Above,” A “Soul Surfer” Bible, “Ask Bethany,” and “Clash,” “Burned,” “Storm,” and “Crunch.” (See sách for publishing information) Further, Bethany was the inspiration behind Becky Baumgartner’s 2007 documentary entitled tim, trái tim of a Soul Surfer.
From a young age, Bethany’s parents instilled their faith in Jesus Christ; and at age 5, she made the decision to have a personal relationship with Him. Bethany’s foundation of faith has been her backbone; her nguồn of truth, hope, and strength.
Out of the water, Bethany has grown from a young teenage girl with aspirations of becoming a professional surfer into a twenty-year old professional surfer with aspirations of becoming a beacon of inspiration and hope. Through the platform of professional sport, Bethany has been able to touch a large number of people with her message, charitable efforts, and tổng thể spirit. Bethany just launched her own foundation, Những người bạn of Bethany, which supports cá mập attack survivors, traumatic amputees, and serves to inspire others through her life story, and is involved in numerous other charitable efforts. (See Give Back for thêm charitable partnerships)
Bethany’s story is continually growing as she strives to be the best at whatever God calls her to do. The future is truly wide open for this young soul surfer!
At the age of thirteen, on October 31, 2003, Bethany was attacked bởi a 14-foot tiger cá mập 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, Bethany was on her way to recovery with an unbelievably positive attitude. Lifeguards and doctors believe her strong water sense and faith in God helped get her through the traumatic ordeal.
Miraculously, just one tháng after the attack, Bethany returned to the water to continue pursuing her goal to become a professional surfer. In January of 2004, Bethany made her return to surf competition; placing 5th in the Open Women’s division of that contest. With no intention of stopping, Bethany continued to enter and excel in competition. Just over a năm after the attack she took 1st place in the Explorer Women’s division of the 2005 NSSA National Championships – winning her first National Title.
In 2007, Bethany realized her dream and turned pro. Bethany has since participated in numerous ASP and World Tour Events with her major highlight being a một giây place finish in the ASP 2009 World Junior Championships. (See Career Highlights and Surf Related News for thêm results)
Since losing her arm, Bethany’s story has been told in hundreds of media outlets and she has been recognized with numerous awards, public appearances, and various speaking engagements. (See Awards & Appearances)
In October 2004, Bethany shared her life story in her autobiography entitled Soul Surfer. The book is currently being made into a major motion picture bearing the same tiêu đề and is to be released in April 2011. Other sách Bethany has written include “Devotions for the Soul Surfer,” “Rise Above,” A “Soul Surfer” Bible, “Ask Bethany,” and “Clash,” “Burned,” “Storm,” and “Crunch.” (See sách for publishing information) Further, Bethany was the inspiration behind Becky Baumgartner’s 2007 documentary entitled tim, trái tim of a Soul Surfer.
From a young age, Bethany’s parents instilled their faith in Jesus Christ; and at age 5, she made the decision to have a personal relationship with Him. Bethany’s foundation of faith has been her backbone; her nguồn of truth, hope, and strength.
Out of the water, Bethany has grown from a young teenage girl with aspirations of becoming a professional surfer into a twenty-year old professional surfer with aspirations of becoming a beacon of inspiration and hope. Through the platform of professional sport, Bethany has been able to touch a large number of people with her message, charitable efforts, and tổng thể spirit. Bethany just launched her own foundation, Những người bạn of Bethany, which supports cá mập attack survivors, traumatic amputees, and serves to inspire others through her life story, and is involved in numerous other charitable efforts. (See Give Back for thêm charitable partnerships)
Bethany’s story is continually growing as she strives to be the best at whatever God calls her to do. The future is truly wide open for this young soul surfer!