In Kauai, Hawaii Bethany was born with a heart of a surfer on February 8, 1990. She started surfing when she was eight and began competing in surfing competitions from there. When she reached the age of 13, she was attacked by a 14-foot tiger shark while swimming in Kauai. After the shocking attack, she had lost her left arm. Life guards and doctors were amazed of her motivation through this traumatic event. It was not just them who were amazed, it was everyone else.
The fright did not scare her away, but the thought of never surfing again was a nightmare. Bethany had such passion for the excitement of the ocean and for the unique sport. She has been an inspiration to others through charity events, gatherings, and even her own charity “Friends of Bethany”. This charity supports survivors of amputees and shark attacks. Her story has been so inspiring that books have been made about her unbelievable recovery from the attack and others that look up to her as a role model.
Bethany’s nickname is “soul surfer” which entitles her passion of surfing. Through her tragedy and perseverance, she shows moral courage by going through life not worrying about her appearance but her goal that she had accomplished.To pursue her dream of becoming a professional surfer. She has competed in surfing competitions and made second place in the ASP World Junior Championships. From there Bethany and her amazing story has published books such as Soul Surfer, Rise Above, Crash, Burned, Storm, and Crunch.
Her inspiring past has opened the eyes of people to never be scared. At age fifteen she took a trip to Thailand to visit orphans that were affected by their country’s tsunami. Bethany took the kids in the water for the first time after the traumatic event. They overcame their fears with the help of a Soul Surfer. “What happened to me has brought good, and I wouldn't take my arm back if given the option”. - Bethany Hamilton
Bethany is grateful for the message she has given the world and if the attack did not happen she would not have been an inspiration. Inspiring others is what she does in her daily life. Giving advice and overcoming fears is her message to her fans and others that look up to Bethany. This surfer has the destiny to do anything she desires.
Timeline:
FEBRUARY 8,1990 1992-1995
__________________________________________________________________________
-was born in Kuwai, Hawaii - Bethany started surfing
1998
__________________________________________________________________________
- Surfed in her frist surfing competition: Rell sun Menehune surfing in Oahu, Hawaii at age nine
2000-2001
_________________________________________________________________________
-Competed in Amateur surfing competitions at age12
2003
_______________________________________________________________________
- Bethany was placed second in the NSSA NationalChampionships
- She was attacked by a shark and left her left arm amputated on October 31
- With only one arm to surf with, she returned on November 6
- With her amazing stories, tv shows interviewed her
- Her father made handles on the surfboard to hekp her with the surfing term "duck diving"
2004
________________________________________________________________________
- The MTV Teen Choice awards gave her an a ward for courage.
- Received an award from ESPN for best comeback athlete
- The surf industry manufacturing association gave her an award which represents her as a"woman of the sea."
- MTV released an autobiography of Bethany named Soul Surfer.
- To show her generosity to others, she visited a wounded soldiers in Germany in 2004.
2005
__________________________________________________________________________
- At age 15, Bethany went on a trip to Thailand and visited orphans and brought them back to their country's ocean after the tsunami occurred.
Won the NSSA National Championships under 18 Surf Championships.
__________________________________________________________________________
2007
________________________________________________________________________
- Bethany visited Puerto Escondido and made and inspirational appearance.
- Won a video award for best documentary.
- Soul Surfer published a series: Crush, Ask Bethany, Rise Above, Burned, and Storm.
2008
_______________________________________________________________________
- Bethany earned 5th place in the US open of surfing in California.
- Finished 14th place in the World Pro Qualifying Series ranks.
2009
_______________________________________________________________________
- At age 9 she won 2nd place at the World Junior Championships in sydney, Australia.
- Won third place at the Rio Surf INternational in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil.
The fright did not scare her away, but the thought of never surfing again was a nightmare. Bethany had such passion for the excitement of the ocean and for the unique sport. She has been an inspiration to others through charity events, gatherings, and even her own charity “Friends of Bethany”. This charity supports survivors of amputees and shark attacks. Her story has been so inspiring that books have been made about her unbelievable recovery from the attack and others that look up to her as a role model.
Bethany’s nickname is “soul surfer” which entitles her passion of surfing. Through her tragedy and perseverance, she shows moral courage by going through life not worrying about her appearance but her goal that she had accomplished.To pursue her dream of becoming a professional surfer. She has competed in surfing competitions and made second place in the ASP World Junior Championships. From there Bethany and her amazing story has published books such as Soul Surfer, Rise Above, Crash, Burned, Storm, and Crunch.
Her inspiring past has opened the eyes of people to never be scared. At age fifteen she took a trip to Thailand to visit orphans that were affected by their country’s tsunami. Bethany took the kids in the water for the first time after the traumatic event. They overcame their fears with the help of a Soul Surfer. “What happened to me has brought good, and I wouldn't take my arm back if given the option”. - Bethany Hamilton
Bethany is grateful for the message she has given the world and if the attack did not happen she would not have been an inspiration. Inspiring others is what she does in her daily life. Giving advice and overcoming fears is her message to her fans and others that look up to Bethany. This surfer has the destiny to do anything she desires.
Timeline:
FEBRUARY 8,1990 1992-1995
__________________________________________________________________________
-was born in Kuwai, Hawaii - Bethany started surfing
1998
__________________________________________________________________________
- Surfed in her frist surfing competition: Rell sun Menehune surfing in Oahu, Hawaii at age nine
2000-2001
_________________________________________________________________________
-Competed in Amateur surfing competitions at age12
2003
_______________________________________________________________________
- Bethany was placed second in the NSSA NationalChampionships
- She was attacked by a shark and left her left arm amputated on October 31
- With only one arm to surf with, she returned on November 6
- With her amazing stories, tv shows interviewed her
- Her father made handles on the surfboard to hekp her with the surfing term "duck diving"
2004
________________________________________________________________________
- The MTV Teen Choice awards gave her an a ward for courage.
- Received an award from ESPN for best comeback athlete
- The surf industry manufacturing association gave her an award which represents her as a"woman of the sea."
- MTV released an autobiography of Bethany named Soul Surfer.
- To show her generosity to others, she visited a wounded soldiers in Germany in 2004.
2005
__________________________________________________________________________
- At age 15, Bethany went on a trip to Thailand and visited orphans and brought them back to their country's ocean after the tsunami occurred.
Won the NSSA National Championships under 18 Surf Championships.
__________________________________________________________________________
2007
________________________________________________________________________
- Bethany visited Puerto Escondido and made and inspirational appearance.
- Won a video award for best documentary.
- Soul Surfer published a series: Crush, Ask Bethany, Rise Above, Burned, and Storm.
2008
_______________________________________________________________________
- Bethany earned 5th place in the US open of surfing in California.
- Finished 14th place in the World Pro Qualifying Series ranks.
2009
_______________________________________________________________________
- At age 9 she won 2nd place at the World Junior Championships in sydney, Australia.
- Won third place at the Rio Surf INternational in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil.