Bethany Hamilton facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Bethany Hamilton
Bethany surfing in 2016
Born	Bethany Meilani Hamilton (1990-02-08) February 8, 1990 (age 35) Lihue, Hawaii, U.S.
Spouse(s)	Adam Dirks ​ (m. 2013)​
Children	4
Bethany Hamilton Personal information Residence Kauai, Hawaii, U.S. Height 5 ft 11 in (180 cm) Weight 154 lb (70 kg) Surfing career Best year 2016 Sponsors Rip Curl Major achievements ESPY Award (2004) NSSA National Helping Kids Champion (2005) 2nd place, ASP World Junior Championships (2008) Surfing specifications Stance Goofy

Bethany Meilani Hamilton (born February 8, 1990) is an American professional surfer and writer. In 2003, she survived a shark attack where her left arm was bitten off. Amazingly, she returned to professional surfing. She wrote about her experiences in her 2004 book, Soul Surfer: A True Story of Faith, Family, and Fighting to Get Back on the Board. This book was later made into the 2011 movie, Soul Surfer. Bethany says her strength comes from her Christian faith.

Bethany is also the focus of a 2018 documentary called Bethany Hamilton: Unstoppable. In this film, she talks about how getting married and becoming a mom has changed her surfing career.

Growing Up and Learning to Surf

Bethany Hamilton was born on February 8, 1990, in Lihue, Hawaii. Her parents are Tom and Cheri Hamilton. She has two older brothers, Noah and Timothy. Bethany started surfing when she was just three years old. By age eight, she began surfing in competitions. She even got her first sponsor when she was 10. Her mom, a housewife, taught Bethany at home from sixth grade through high school. Her dad worked as a waiter.

Shark Attack and Amazing Comeback

On October 31, 2003, 13-year-old Bethany went surfing. She was at Tunnels Beach in Kauai with her best friend, Alana. While Bethany was lying on her surfboard, a large tiger shark attacked her. It quickly bit off her left arm, just below the shoulder. Alana's family helped Bethany get back to shore. Alana's dad used a rash guard to make a tourniquet for her arm. Bethany was rushed to Wilcox Medical Center.

When she arrived, Bethany had lost a lot of blood and was in shock. Her father was already at the hospital for knee surgery. But Bethany needed the operating room, so she took his place with the same doctor.

Bethany surfing in March 2007

News of the shark attack spread quickly. A family of fishermen showed investigators photos of a 14-foot tiger shark they had caught. They found surfboard pieces in its mouth. The shark's mouth matched the bite marks on Bethany's broken board. In 2004, police confirmed it was the shark that attacked her.

Even after such a scary event, Bethany was determined to surf again. She returned to the water just one month later.

At first, Bethany used a special surfboard. It was longer and thicker than normal boards. It also had a handle for her right arm to help her paddle. She learned to kick more to make up for not having her left arm. Bethany taught herself to surf with one arm. She was back on her board on November 26, 2003, only 26 days after the attack. Her first big competition after the attack was on January 10, 2004. Now, she uses regular surfboards for competitions. Her shark-bitten surfboard and swimsuit are on display. You can see them at the California Surf Museum in Oceanside, California.

Bethany in the Media

Since the attack, Bethany has appeared on many TV shows. Her manager, Roy "Dutch" Hofstetter, helped her become an inspiring role model. He later produced the movie Soul Surfer. Bethany has been on shows like The Amazing Race, The Biggest Loser, and The Oprah Winfrey Show. She has also been featured in magazines like People and Time.

Bethany often gives speeches to groups around the world. She encourages people to live with courage and faith.

In 2004, Bethany won an ESPY Award for Best Comeback Athlete. She also received the Courage Teen Choice Award. That same year, her book Soul Surfer was published. It tells her story of recovery. Her journey is also shown in the 2007 documentary Heart of a Soul Surfer. This film highlights her strong Christian faith and how it helped her after the shark attack.

In 2009, Bethany was on the game show Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader? and won $25,000. In 2010, she appeared on ABC's Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.

In 2011, Bethany shared her story in a video for the Christian group I Am Second. She talked about trusting God after the attack. That same year, the movie Soul Surfer came out. Actress AnnaSophia Robb played Bethany. Bethany herself did all the one-armed surfing stunts in the film.

She also appeared on the TLC show 19 Kids and Counting in an episode called "Duggars Under the Sea."

Bethany plays herself in the movie Dolphin Tale 2, which is about a baby dolphin named Hope. She and her husband, Adam Dirks, competed on The Amazing Race in 2014. They finished in third place.

The documentary Bethany Hamilton: Unstoppable tells her story. It shows her journey from being a child to becoming a mother. It highlights how she continues to be a fearless athlete.

In 2024, Bethany competed on The Masked Singer as "Macaron." Her costume was designed so that the left arm stayed still, showing her unique situation.

Bethany's Personal Life

Bethany met youth minister Adam Dirks in early 2012 through friends. They got engaged in 2013. The couple married on August 18, 2013, in Kauai, near where Bethany grew up. They now have four children: three sons and a daughter. Their marriage is shown in her documentary, Bethany Hamilton: Unstoppable. Besides surfing, Bethany also teaches classes. These classes focus on faith, healing, health, and relationships. Bethany is a Christian.

Books by Bethany Hamilton

Bethany Hamilton has written nine books. Her mom also wrote a book about Bethany's story.

Helping Others: Outreach Programs

Bethany is involved in many charity efforts. She has her own foundation called Friends of Bethany. This foundation helps people who have lost limbs and young people. It encourages them to overcome challenges by offering hope through Jesus Christ. Bethany uses her role as a professional athlete to promote a healthy lifestyle. She wrote the book Body and Soul in 2014 to help with this. In 2019, a surf documentary about her, Bethany Hamilton: Unstoppable, was released. It came with a photo book and a children's book.

The Friends of Bethany Foundation has four main programs:

• Beautifully Flawed: This is a retreat for young women aged 14–25 who have lost a limb due to trauma. They host six events each year. These events include guest speakers, health tips for people with limb loss, posture training, and surf lessons.
• Shine Forth: This is a free community event held once a year. It's a night filled with inspiring stories of overcoming challenges. Bethany also signs books at this event.
• Anchored in Love: This is a conference for girls and young women aged 12 and up. It's a one-day event designed to help girls discover their true beauty and purpose. It's held annually in San Diego and features several guest speakers.
• The Forge: This is a retreat for young male amputees. They focus on faith, fitness, and healthy living. Bethany, her husband, and their friend Mike Coots run this program.

Bethany's Surfing Achievements

Bethany Hamilton has competed in many surfing events around the world. Here are some of her notable placings:

Film and TV Appearances

Movies

Television Shows