Bethany Hamilton

Bethany Hamilton (born February 8, 1990) is a surfer from Hawaii. Beginning her career as a surfer with her first competition at age 11, she was an accomplished surfer and well-respected in the surfing world by age 13. She received attention from the mass media after her left arm was bitten off by a shark. This incident occurred on October 31, 2003. She has appeared on 20/20, Good Morning America, and Inside Edition. MTV Books will publish Hamilton's book, Soul Surfer, which describes how she recovered from the loss of her left arm to return to surfing.

Quotes

• "I can't change it, That was God's plan for my life and I'm going to go with it."--Bethany Hamilton
  • "[She's] the most sought after teenager in the world. She's even surpassed Jessica Lynch."--Matt Lauer, NBC
  • "What I'm trying to do is make this 15 minutes of fame into Brand Bethany Hamilton"--Roy Hofstetter, Hamilton's manager.
  • "We're not into this for the money, but the opportunities are there and people want to know the story."--Tom Hamilton, Hamilton's father.

There are unfortunate events which occur in our lives, which consequently limited our dreams and shape our tomorrows. I think you would agree with that statement, But apparently not all of us think that way. I provide evidence to this by enlightening you with Bethany Hamilton’s story.

Bethany Hamilton was born February 8th 1990 (which makes her only 14 today) on the North Shore Kauai, Hawaii. Her family is a laid back, blue-collar family, both her parents are keen surfers, and moved from America to Hawaii to fulfill their surfing fantasies. Bethany could surf before she could even walk. Her family likes to joke about Bethany having salt-water in her veins. Bethany learnt how to surf very quickly, and by the age of 4 years old she was participating in the push division of a Quicksilver surfing contest. Her Dad would push her, and her mum would catch, and Bethany won first place. Bethany began making her surfing into a career at the age of 11, she was a talented surfer and well respected in the competitive surfing world today. At the age of 7, Bethany won the 7-9 short board and long board competition in challenging conditions. She also won at the 2001 Haleiwa Menehune Championships 25th annual contest, And in Feb. 2002 Volcom Puffer Fish contest she placed 1st in the 14-under girls, 1st in the 17 under girls and 2nd in the 12-under boys. She is also very proud to be a Rip Curl Girl team rider.

Just like most surfers, Bethany planned on becoming a professional surfer, this was Bethany’s dream, and she was determined to achieve her aspiration no matter what obstacles came her way. The obstacle that eventually did come her way, was the last obstacle that anybody predicted.

On October 31st, 2003, at about 7.30am Bethany suffered an enormous loss. It was a sunny and perfect day for surf. Bethany, her best mate, Alahna Blanchard, her father and her brother all paddled out from the sandy shore into the perfect swell, and clean blue waves of Tunnels Beach, Hawaii.

As Bethany lay relaxed and keen on her surfboard her left arm dangling beside her in the warm, rippling water waiting for the next set of waves to roll into the beach, her life changed forever. Out of no-where a 14-foot tiger shark swam up beside her and attacked her surfboard taking a 17inch wide bite of it and her left arm, pulling Bethany back and forth, the shark ripped off her arm just below her shoulder and disappeared.

Bleeding profusely, Bethany was able to compose herself and used her right arm to paddle into the shore, where her friend’s father tied a leg rope around what was left of her arm, and Bethany was rushed to hospital. Bethany lost 70% of her blood that morning.

Lying in the hospital bed with only one arm, her parents and friends wanted to help her cope, but they soon realized that Bethany was not suffering. Not once did Bethany say “Why me”?

Many thought her career would be over, but not Bethany Hamilton. Although this little girl’s life could have been destroyed and her dreams of being a professional surfer locked away forever, Bethany seized the moment and turned a negative into a positive.

The attack left her with only one arm but never destroyed this little girl’s courage, bravery and determination. It seems that the shark attack only made her stronger.

Loosing her arm to a shark at the age of 13 was a huge story already, but the first thing Bethany wanted to know after her surgery was ‘When can I surf again’? This proved that Bethany’s story was a much bigger story, one filled with hope, determination, courage and an untouched spirit.

Many watched in disbelief as Bethany went forward with her dream. Just 10 weeks after the accident Bethany jumped back onto her board and went surfing again. She’s using a custom made longer and slightly thicker board making it easier to paddle. Bethany said she has to kick a lot harder to make up for the loss of her left arm, but she still lives and loves surfing as much as ever. Not only did Bethany teach herself to surf with only one arm, she is also surfing competitively in competitions again. “When I got up on my first wave, I rode it all the way into the shore, and after that, I just had like, tears of happiness, I was so stoked to be back out there. – Bethany Hamilton. That same year she placed 5th in The National Surfing Championships and secured a spot for herself on the US surfing Team. She also won an award for the Best comeback athlete and a special courage award at the 2004 teen choice awards.

The list of things that Bethany will have to do differently is long, but the list of things that Bethany has ruled out for herself is very short. Bethany’s spirit is not affected at all by this experience. She opens drink bottles by wedging them between her thighs and twisting the caps open with her right hand. She cuts oranges but sitting on the floor and grasping the fruit between the soles of her feet. She even wrapped the Christmas presents she gave to her family.

It seems almost like Bethany Hamilton has forgotten that she lost her arm at all. She still dreams of being a professional surfer and has competed and continues to compete against surfers in their physical peaks. Bethany used her experience to become an inspiration and to help others overcome obstacles no-matter how great.

Bethany also claims that she lost her arm because it was a blessing in disguise, and she is so happy to be recognized and to have the chance to be a inspiration to others.

Bethany Hamilton is a huge inspiration to so many people, in all situations because the main message she conveys is that people shouldn’t give up no matter what happens, out of every negative there is always room for a positive and that life is to short to waste moping around. Bethany Hamilton has become one of the most recognized surfers in the world, which really means something because it shows that Surfing is not just a competitive, physical hobby. It’s all about the love of the sport, and the spirit that burns inside each and every one of us. “People can do whatever they want if they just set their heart to it, and just never give up, and just go out there and do it”- Bethany Hamilton

BY CHARLOTTE EDWARDS