Bethany
Hamilton has become a source 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 love for surf competition within her spirit.
At the age
of thirteen, on October 31, 2003, Bethany was attacked by a 14-foot tiger shark
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 month 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 year 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 second
place finish in the ASP 2009 World Junior Championships. (See Career Highlights
and Surf Related News for more results)
In October
2004, Bethany shared her life story in her autobiography entitled Soul Surfer.
Seven years later, the book was made into a major motion picture bearing the
same title which released theatrically in April, and for home entertainment in
August, 2011. Other books Bethany has written include “Devotions for the Soul
Surfer,” “Rise Above,” A “Soul Surfer” Bible, “Ask Bethany,” and “Clash,”
“Burned,” “Storm,” and “Crunch.” (See Books for publishing information)
Further, Bethany was the inspiration behind Becky Baumgartner’s 2007
documentary entitled Heart of a Soul Surfer.
Reading exercise
1.
Who is Bethany
Hamilton?
2.
Why is Bethany a
role model?
3.
How was
Bethany’s story told to the world?
