Bethany Meilani Hamilton (born February 8, 1990) is an American professional surfer and writer who survived a 2003 shark attack in which her left arm was bitten off and who ultimately returned to professional surfing. She wrote about her experience in the 2004 autobiography, Soul Surfer: A True Story of Faith, Family, and Fighting to Get Back on the Board, which was adapted into the 2011 feature film, Soul Surfer, in which she attributes her strength to her Christian faith. Hamilton was also the subject of a 2018 documentary, Bethany Hamilton: Unstoppable, which discusses her marriage to Adam Dirks and how marriage and motherhood have affected her professional surfing career.
Early life
Hamilton was born on February 8, 1990, to Tom and Cheri Hamilton in Lihue, Hawaii.[2] She has two older brothers, Noah and Timothy. After learning how to surf at the age of three, Hamilton began surfing competitively at the age of eight and gained her first sponsorship by age ten.[3] Hamilton was home-schooled from sixth grade through high school by her mother, a housewife, while her father was a waiter at a town café.
Shark attack and recovery
On October 31, 2003, 13-year-old Hamilton went for a morning surf along Tunnels Beach, Kauai, with her best friend, Alana Blanchard, as well as Alana's father and brother. While Hamilton was lying on her surfboard stomach-down and talking with Alana, a 14-foot-long (4.3 m) tiger shark attacked her.[4] It swiftly bit off her left arm, she was dangling it in the water, just below the shoulder. The Blanchards helped paddle Hamilton back to shore, then Alana's father fashioned a tourniquet out of a rash guard and wrapped it around the stump of her arm. Hamilton was rushed to Wilcox Memorial Hospital. By the time she arrived there, she had lost over 60% of her blood and was in hypovolemic shock. Hamilton's father, who was scheduled to have knee surgery that same morning, was already there, but she took his place in the operating room with the same doctor.
Hamilton surfing in March 2007
When the news of the shark attack broke, a family of fishermen led by Ralph Young presented to investigators photos of a 14-foot-long (4.3 m) tiger shark they had caught and killed about one mile from the attack site. It had surfboard debris in its mouth. When measurements of its mouth were compared with those of Hamilton's broken board, it matched. In late 2004, the police officially confirmed that it was the same one that had attacked her.[citation needed]
Despite the trauma of the incident, Hamilton was determined to return to surfing and did so a month later.[5][6]
Initially, Hamilton adopted a custom-made board that was longer and slightly thicker than standard and had a handle for her right arm, making it easier to paddle, and she learned to kick more to make up for the loss of her left arm. After Hamilton taught herself to surf with one arm, she returned to surfing on November 26, 2003, just 26 days after the attack, and entered her first major competition on January 10, 2004.[2] She now uses standard competitive performance short-boards.[7] The shark-bitten surfboard that she was riding during the attack, as well as the swimsuit she was wearing, a gift from ocean photographer Aaron Chang, are on display at the California Surf Museum in Oceanside, California.[8][9]
Hamilton has participated in multiple public speaking events and is "motivating audiences worldwide to live their life with more tenacity, courage, and faith".[2]
In 2004, MTV Books published Hamilton's book, Soul Surfer: A True Story of Faith, Family, and Fighting to Get Back on the Board, which describes her ordeal. Hamilton's story is also told in the 2007 short subjectdocumentary filmHeart of a Soul Surfer. Described as a "faith-based documentary", the film addresses her devout Christianity and the courage and faith in Jesus Christ in the aftermath of the shark attack and follows her quest for spiritual meaning.[13][14]
In 2011, Hamilton appeared in a video for the Christian organization I Am Second, telling of her struggle after the shark attack and how she trusted in God to get her through it.[15] In 2011, a feature film Soul Surfer, based on her 2004 book, was released in theaters. Hamilton was portrayed by actress AnnaSophia Robb. She performed all the one-armed surfing stunts in it.[16]
Hamilton also appeared on the TLC series 19 Kids and Counting the same year, in the episode titled "Duggars Under the Sea", when the Duggar family visited her in Atlanta, Georgia.[17]
Hamilton plays herself in the film Dolphin Tale 2, which revolves around the baby dolphin Hope's story.[18] She and her husband, Adam Dirks, competed as a team on the 25th season of The Amazing Race, finishing in third place. It premiered in 2014 on CBS.[19]
Bethany Hamilton: Unstoppable is set to tell the story of Hamilton's transition from childhood to motherhood. "From chasing her toddler to chasing the biggest waves. Bethany is continuously rewriting the rules on being a fearless athlete and brings a new meaning to the phrase, 'Surf Like a Girl'".[20]
Hamilton was featured in a short film by RipCurl titled Master and Apprentice alongside young female surfer Erin Brooks.[21]
Personal life
In early 2012, Hamilton met youth minister[22] Adam Dirks through mutual friends.[23] They became engaged in 2013.[24][25] The couple got married on August 18, 2013, at an estate on Kauai's north shore, near where Hamilton grew up.[26][27] They have three sons and one daughter.[28][29][30][31] Their marriage is featured throughout her documentary, Bethany Hamilton: Unstoppable. Along with being a professional surfer, she now offers mentorship classes on faith, healing, personal health, and relationships.[32] Hamilton is a Christian.[5]
Books
Hamilton has published nine books with her mom publishing one about her story.
Book title
Authors
Year published
Plot
Soul Surfer: A True Story of Faith, Family, and Fighting to Get Back on the Board
Bethany Hamilton, Rick Bundschuh, and Sheryl Berk
2004
Autobiography detailing the time leading up to the shark attack, how she recovered, dealt with media attention, and how she ultimately got back on the board and returned to competition
Devotions for the Soul Surfer
Bethany Hamilton
2006, reprinted in 2011
Christian devotional book for young girls
Rise Above: A 90-day Devotional
Bethany Hamilton
2007
Christian devotional for young girls discussing both "hot and cool topics that every young girl faces" [2]
Ask Bethany: FAQs: Surfing, Faith, and Friends
Bethany Hamilton
2007
Bethany answers questions discussing faith and how it has helped her throughout her life
Raising a Soul Surfer: One Family's Epic Tale
Cheri Hamilton, Rick Bundschuh
2011
This book was written by Hamilton's Mom and provides the story of Bethany's shark attack through the perspective of her parents.
Body and Soul: A Girl's Guide to a Fit, Fun, and Fabulous Life
Bethany Hamilton, Dustin Dillberg
2014
Provides readers with guidelines to become their healthiest self and practice a fit lifestyle. Includes workouts, healthy recipes, and tips for coping with stress[2]
Ask Bethany: Bethany Answers Over 200 Questions from Girls Like You
Bethany Hamilton, Doris Rikkers
2014, reprinted 2016
Bethany answers fan questions about "a wide variety of topics about her life and faith" [2]
Be Unstoppable: The Art of Never Giving Up
Bethany Hamilton
2018
In this book Bethany "inspires readers to be bold, enjoy life, and take risk of trusting God each day. Includes photos, inspiration quotes, and life lessons from Hamilton [2]
Unstoppable Me
Bethany Hamilton, Adam Dirks, illustrated by Gill Guile
2018
Children's book based on Bethany's story. It follows Makana the lion who enjoys surfing but loses her nerve after wiping out on the water. With the help of her friends she rediscovers her love for surfing.[33]
Surfing Past Fear
Bethany Hamilton, BRAVE BOOKS, illustrated by Martin Moròn
2022
Following an arm fracture, fellow beachgoers help Olivia overcome her concerns.[34]
Outreach programs
Hamilton is involved in numerous charitable efforts, including her own foundation, Friends of Bethany,[35] which reaches out to amputees and youth, encouraging them to overcome difficulties by offering hope through Jesus Christ. Using her platform as a professional athlete to promote living a fit and healthy lifestyle, Hamilton authored the book Body and Soul in 2014. In 2019, a surf documentary was made about her, Bethany Hamilton: Unstoppable,[36] which was accompanied by a photo book and a children's book.[37]
Within the Friends of Bethany Foundation, there are four different programs:
Beautifully Flawed: retreat designed for young women ages 14–25 who have experienced traumatic limb loss. Six events hosted annually through this program which include: guests speakers, practical health and wellness tips which specifically account for limb loss, postural training, and surf lessons.[38]
Shine Forth: Night filled with stories and inspiration to overcome, free community event to gather together and share comeback stories. Bethany also does a book signing at this event, which is hosted annually.[38]
Anchored in Love: Conference for girls and young women ages 12 and up, one day event designed to help girls and young women discover their true beauty, purpose, and worth. Event is held annually in San Diego and features several guest speakers.[38]
The Forge: Men's retreat where young male amputees come and focus on faith, fitness, and healthy living. This program is run by Bethany, her husband, and friend/mentor Mike Coots.[38]
In January 2023, Hamilton announced that she would boycott all World Surf League events following their decision to allow transgender women to compete in the female category provided they maintain a testosterone level below 5nmol/L for 12 months prior. Hamilton questioned whether hormone levels were a fair and accurate assessment of sex, stating that transgender athletes should have a separate division created for them.[39][40] She said that transgender women have a biological advantage that females surfers do not, stating, "We are seeing glimpses of male-bodied dominance in women's sports like running, swimming and others."[41] Hamilton said that she believes that many of the women currently on tour agree with her but are too afraid of being ostracized to speak out.[39] Hamilton's stance received support from some but was criticized by others as transphobic.[42]
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