As a shark attack survivor, Bethany Hamilton
Bethany Hamilton
Bethany Meilani Hamilton-Dirks is an American professional surfer who survived a 2003 shark attack in which her left arm was bitten off but who ultimately returned to professional surfing. She wrote about her experience in the 2004 autobiography Soul Surfer: A True Story of Faith…
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What is Bethany Hamilton famous for?
American professional surfer, author, and motivational speaker Bethany Hamilton lost her arm to a shark while surfing when she was 13 years old. She served as an inspiration to people when she returned to surfing shortly after the attack. Bethany Meilani Hamilton was born on February 8, 1990, in Lihue, Kauai, Hawaii.
How many awards has Bethany Hamilton won?
Hamilton has received more than 20 awards, including the Nickelodeon Kids Choice Award as “Favorite Comeback Athlete,” the Courage Award by FOX Teen Choice, Honolulu Citizens Award, a courage award from the United States Sports Academy, USA Today's Free Spirit Award and an ESPY Award for “Comeback Athlete of the Year.” ...
What goals did Bethany Hamilton have?
Once she accomplished her life goal of becoming a professional surfer, Hamilton wanted to help others achieve their dream. Because she loved giving back to people, Hamilton started inspiring others and even made her own foundation dedicated to helping shark attack survivors and amputees like her.
Was Bethany Hamilton's arm found?
Butchering it offshore away from prying eyes, they found no evidence of Bethany's arm, her watch, or the 18-inch semi-circle of surfboard that the shark had taken with it.
What has Bethany Hamilton done to help others?
Bethany is also a spokesperson for Beating The Odds Foundation) and Foundation for a Better Life. Bethany has been involved with the Women's Sports Foundation, Fair Fund's Jewel Girls program, Walking on Water, Life Without Limbs, Holidays With Purpose and Christian Surfers.
Who is the girl that got her arm bit off by a shark?
Bethany HamiltonBethany Hamilton Nearly Died When She Lost Her Arm During a Shark Attack. Bethany Hamilton is a successful pro athlete who began surfing at a young age. As she got older, the Lihue, Hawaii native became one of the best surfers in the world. At the age of 13, Hamilton experienced a shark attack while she was surfing.
What is Bethany Hamilton's dream?
So, what is my big dream for 2020? Well, it is to compete full time on the World Surfing League's Qualifying Series with hopes to qualify for the 2021 Championship Tour! And, broken elbow and all, that is still the plan!
How big was the shark that bit Bethany Hamilton?
14-footHamilton was a top young amateur when she was attacked by a 14-foot tiger shark in Kauai, Hawaii, at age 13 in 2003. Her friend's father used a T-shirt and a urethane surfboard leash to stop the bleeding, possibly saving her life.
What is Bethany Hamilton's favorite Bible verse?
Friends, God is the ultimate overcomer! And if you are in His family, then who are you? You and me both, we are created to be overcomers.
Has Bethany Hamilton won any surfing competitions?
Shark attack survivor Bethany Hamilton wins professional surf contest at Pipeline. Bethany Hamilton, the 24-year-old Kauai surfer who lost her arm after a shark attack when she was 13, has defied all odds and won a professional surf contest at one of the world's most renowned waves: Pipeline, on the North Shore of Oahu ...
Who is Bethany Hamilton's best friend?
Alana Blanchardsoul surfer is based on a real movie,Alana Blanchard is Bethany Hamilton's best friend and fellow surfer in the Soul Surfer movie. Her character is based on the real-life professional surfer Alana Blanchard. She is played by Lorraine Nicholson in the film.
How old was Bethany Hamilton when she lost her arm?
13At the age of 13, Hamilton experienced a shark attack while she was surfing. The traumatizing accident saw her lose her arm.
Who is Bethany Hamilton?
Dedicated to helping people live an epic life! Known most notably for one of the biggest comeback stories of our era, Bethany Hamilton has since become synonymous with inspiration. Bethany is a sought-after public speaker. She is motivating audiences worldwide to live their life with more tenacity, courage and faith.
What is Bethany Hamilton's story?
Her story of determination, faith, and hope has resounded in encouragement worldwide. At the age of 13 as a rising surf star, Bethany lost her left arm to a 14-foot tiger shark, which seemed to end her dream career. However, one month after the attack, Bethany returned to surfing and within two years had won her first national surfing title. Bethany’s foundation of faith has been her backbone; her source of truth, hope, and strength. At 17 years old, she realized her dream of surfing professionally and she is still an active surf competitor to this day. Bethany has been able to touch a large number of people with her faith message, charitable efforts, and overall spirit. Her greatest joy is being a wife and mother, and she continues to touch and inspire lives globally as a professional surfer, author and motivational speaker. She currently has her own blog and online course on helping others become unstoppable.
What happened to Bethany from NSSA?
A rising surf competitor, Bethany places second at the NSSA National Championships in July. On October 31, she is bitten by a shark and her left arm is traumatically amputated to her shoulder. Only 26 days after losing her arm, Bethany returns to surfing with only one arm, receiving international media recognition.
What is Bethany's WSL?
She currently competes in choice World Surf League (WSL) tour events, upon invite, and in other special events. In 2016 alone, Bethany’s capacity to inspire reached new heights as she beat a six-time world champion and the top-ranked surfer in the world at a major WSL competition.
How many memberships does Bethany give away?
In the midst of a global pandemic, Bethany gave away over 2,500 memberships to the Unstoppable Life online course. Unstoppable the film releases in Australia and New Zealand, and Europe. She announces her third pregnancy!
What season of Amazing Race did Bethany and Adam compete in?
She and Adam compete on CBS’s “The Amazing Race,” season 25. (Age 24) 10-year anniversary of the shark attack.
What is Bethany's greatest joy?
Bethany has been able to touch a large number of people with her faith message, charitable efforts, and overall spirit. Her greatest joy is being a wife and mother, and she continues to touch and inspire lives globally as a professional surfer, author and motivational speaker.
Where is Bethany Hamilton from?
Childhood & Early Life. Bethany Hamilton was born on 8 February, 1990, on the island of Kauai, Hawaii, to Tom and Cheri Hamilton. She has two older brothers, Noah and Timmy. Her whole family loved surfing and her parents began teaching her how to surf even before she turned five.
Who is the actress who plays Bethany in Soul Surfer?
The film had Anna Sophia Robb portraying the character of Bethany with Helen Hunt and Dennis Quaid playing her parents.
Where was Alana's arm bitten?
She was taken aback by the attack and was shocked to see that the shark had bitten off her left arm just below the shoulder. Alana and her father rushed to her help and soon she was transported to Wilcox Memorial Hospital.
Who Is Bethany Hamilton?
Her promising career was seemingly derailed at age 13 when a shark bit off her left arm, but she resumed surfing shortly afterward and won a national title in 2005. A successful author and public speaker, Hamilton has shared her experiences in documentary films and appeared on several popular reality TV programs.
Why did Hamilton launch her Unstoppable Year?
Hamilton subsequently launched her Unstoppable Year online course to help people overcome obstacles and achieve fulfillment.
How old was Hamilton when she started surfing?
Raised in a surfing family, along with older brothers Noah and Tim, Hamilton learned to handle the waves at an early age. She began competitive surfing at age 8, and by age 9 she had earned her first sponsorship. A member of the Hanalei Surf Co. team, the home-schooled Hamilton proved capable of beating more experienced surfers in competition.
What shark attacked Hamilton?
As the story drew national attention, it was determined that Hamilton had been attacked by a 14-foot tiger shark. Seemingly level-headed about the incident and the radical change to her body, she vowed to return to surfing as soon as possible.
What happened to Hamilton's left arm?
Initially feeling no pain, she noticed the water around her had turned red, and her shocked friends realized that her left arm had been severed nearly to the shoulder.
When did Hamilton resume surfing?
Hamilton resumed surfing just one month after the attack , her determination helping to keep the story alive in the news cycle. Her 2004 autobiography, Soul Surfer: A True Story of Faith, Family, and Fighting to Get Back on the Board, became a best seller, and she was honored for her courage by MTV, ESPN and the United States Sports Academy.
Who is the surfer who lost her arm?
Bethany Hamilton. Bethany Hamilton overcame the loss of her left arm in a shark attack to become a champion surfer and inspirational public figure.
Who is Bethany Hamilton?
Bethany Hamilton speaking to women for Surf Aid International. She and her family, in addition, support Compassion International and Spectrum Ministries, among others. Her family and friends are starting a charitable foundation called the Friends of Bethany Hamilton Foundation to support shark attack survivors, traumatic amputees, ...
What did Bethany speak about?
Bethany spoke on the importance of health care and hygiene. Something that is taken for granted and lacking in these remote villages.
How old was Bethany Hamilton when she survived the horror movie?
Charity Work, Events and Causes. On Halloween of 2003, Bethany Hamilton survived a nightmare that Hollywood horror movies are made of. The then 13-year-old competitive surfer went out early that morning to catch a few waves along with her best friend, Alana and Alana’s father and brother, off the coast of Kauai’s North Shore in Hawaii.
What shark bit Bethany?
While lying flat on her surfboard, her arm dangling in the water, Bethany was attacked by a 14-foot tiger shark. The bite severed her left arm and was inches away from being fatal. Bethany’s friends used a surfboard’s leash as a tourniquet – a move that saved her life – and paddled her back to shore.
Did Bethany go back to surfing?
Less than one month later, Bethany was back out surfing. That same year she placed fifth in the National Surfing Championships and secured a spot for herself on the U.S. National Surfing Team. She also won an ESPY award from ESPN for Best Comeback athlete, and a special courage award at the 2004 Teen Choice Awards.
Who is Bethany from Beating the Odds?
Bethany is also a spokesperson for Beating The Odds Foundation) and Foundation for a Better Life. Bethany has been involved with the Women's Sports Foundation, Fair Fund’s Jewel Girls program, Walking on Water, Life Without Limbs, Holidays With Purpose and Christian Surfers.
Is Bethany still surfing?
Now, Bethany is surfing on the Association of Surfing Professionals’ World Qualifying Series . She came in 3rd at the 2008 Roxy Pro Women’s Surf Festival and was recently the runner up at the 2009 World Junior Pro Championship! When Bethany is out of the water, she is still making waves.
What happened to Bethany Hamilton after her shark attack?
The Remarkable Story Of Bethany Hamilton After Her Shark Attack. Bethany Meilani Hamilton-Dirks rose to fame when she survived a horrific shark attack which ended up costing her her arm. Despite this event, she managed to turn her trauma into an incredible story of triumph. This is her story.
Who played Bethany Hamilton in Soul Surfer?
In 2011, Hamilton shared her story in a video for the Christian organization, I Am Second. She spoke of her struggle after the shark attack, as well as how her faith in God got her through that time of her life. That same year, her 2004 book was turned into a feature film titled, Soul Surfer, and was released in theaters. Bethany was portrayed by actress AnnaSophia Robb, yet, Hamilton performed all the one-armed surfing stunts in the film herself.
What happened to Bethany in the movie?
Bethany had no time to escape by the time the tiger shark attacked her, and suddenly her left arm had been severed just below her shoulder. She was assisted by the Blanchards to help her get back to shore, and Alana’s father then created a tourniquet out of a surfboard leach to wrap around what was left of her arm. She was immediately rushed to Wilcox Memorial Hospital, by which time she had already lost 60% of her blood and had gone into hypovolemic shock.
How old was Bethany when she started surfing?
Young Surfer. Bethany began surfing at a young age, and by 1998, she was already competing professionally. At the tender age of eight-years-old , Bethany came first place in the Rell Sun Menehune surfing competition. From this time on, she continued to achieve great success from her surfing abilities and came in first place ni several competitions.
What shows has Bethany been on?
Her television guest appearances have been on some of America’s highest watched shows including The Biggest Loser, 20/20, Good Morning America, Inside Edition, The Oprah Winfrey Show, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, The Today Show, and The Tonight Show. While these appearances were sure to make Bethany a recognizable face, she also featured in magazines such as People, Time, and American Girl, and was the cover story in the premier issue of niNe magazine. Bethany had gone from surfer to celebrity.
How long did Bethany stay in the hospital?
The surgery was successful, and Bethany had to stay in the hospital for a week to recover before eventually being released. After her release, Bethany garnered a lot of media attention for her miraculous recovery, and the world wanted to know what happened to the surfer and what was to come.
Where is Bethany Hamilton's surfboard?
So much so, that after the attack the surfboard that Hamilton was riding when the shark attacked her is now on display at the California Surf Museum in Oceanside, California. Alongside her old board, the bathing suit she was wearing, a gift she got from photographer Aaron Chang, is also on display for visitors to see.
What did Bethany Hamilton do before shark attack?
Bethany Hamilton found a passion for surfing at a young age and was on the path to global success, before a shark attack when she was just 13 changed everything in an instant.
Who did Hamilton talk to about surfing?
During her recovery, Hamilton had the opportunity to speak to Mike Coots, a fellow surfer who had lost his leg to a shark, and he spoke to her about how he had learned to surf again. Hamilton said that hearing from Coots was like a 'lightbulb' going off and allowed her to think that she would be able to surf again too.
How old was Hamilton when she got her first sponsorship?
She gained her first sponsorship deal at the age of nine and as she continued to put in the hours, her goals were edging closer by the day.
Why does Hamilton not seek limelight?
Naturally, Hamilton does not seek the limelight but because of what happened to her, she has chosen to always put herself out there to try and help others.
What does "possible" mean for Hamilton?
'Possible' for Hamilton meant changing her whole approach to surfing, everything from adding a handle to her board to her positioning and paddling. She approached every challenge head on and would not take no for an answer.
What happened to Hamilton's left arm?
Hamilton's left arm was severed just below the shoulder and although she does not like to speak about the day itself, she is open about the days after and the approach that she took to her recovery.
Is Hamilton a lone ranger?
Many individual athletes, whether they have been through the adversity Hamilton has or not, are often lone rangers and quite singular in their pursuit of excellence. However, Hamilton is someone who seeks others' assistance and always advises others to follow this approach.
