Bethany Hamilton facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Bethany Hamilton
Hamilton surfing in 2016
Born	Bethany Meilani Hamilton (1990-02-08) February 8, 1990 (age 36) Lihue, Hawaii, U.S.
Spouse(s)	Adam Dirks ​ (m. 2013)​
Children	4
Bethany Hamilton Personal information Height 5 ft 11 in (180 cm) Weight 157 lb (71 kg) Surfing career Best year 2016 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. She is famous for surviving a shark attack in 2003, when she was 13 years old, which resulted in the loss of her left arm. Despite this challenge, Bethany bravely returned to professional surfing. She shared her incredible story 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 a movie called Soul Surfer in 2011. Bethany often says that her Christian faith gave her strength during difficult times.

In 2018, a documentary called Bethany Hamilton: Unstoppable was released. It showed how her life changed after getting married and becoming a mother, and how she continued her surfing career.

Bethany Hamilton: A Story of Courage and Surfing

Growing Up in Hawaii

Bethany Hamilton was born on February 8, 1990, in Lihue, Hawaii. Her parents are Tom and Cheri Hamilton, and she has two older brothers, Noah and Timothy. Bethany started surfing at just three years old. By the age of eight, she was already competing in surfing contests. She even got her first sponsor when she was 10. Bethany was homeschooled by her mother from sixth grade through high school. Her father worked as a waiter.

The Shark Attack and Her Amazing Comeback

On October 31, 2003, when Bethany was 13, she went surfing at Tunnels Beach in [[Kauaʻi]]. She was with her best friend, Alana Blanchard, and Alana's dad and brother. While Bethany was lying on her surfboard, a large tiger shark attacked her. It bit off her left arm just below the shoulder.

Alana's family quickly helped Bethany get back to shore. Alana's father used a rash guard to make a tourniquet for her arm. Bethany was rushed to Wilcox Medical Center. She had lost a lot of blood and was in a very serious condition. Her father was already at the hospital for his own knee surgery, but Bethany needed the operating room more. She took his place with the same doctor.

Later, fishermen found and killed a large tiger shark near the attack site. Police confirmed it was the same shark that attacked Bethany.

Even after such a traumatic event, Bethany was determined to surf again. Just one month later, she was back in the water.

At first, Bethany used a special surfboard that was longer and thicker. It had a handle for her right arm, which made it easier to paddle. She also learned to kick more to help her move through the water. Bethany quickly taught herself to surf with one arm. She returned to surfing on November 26, 2003, only 26 days after the attack. Her first big competition after the attack was on January 10, 2004. Today, Bethany uses regular competitive surfboards. The surfboard she was riding during the attack, along with her swimsuit, is on display at the California Surf Museum in Oceanside, California.

Hamilton surfing in March 2007

Inspiring Others Through Media

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

Bethany often speaks at public events. She encourages people around the world to live with courage, determination, and faith.

In 2004, Bethany received the ESPY Award for Best Comeback Athlete. She also won the Courage Teen Choice Award. That same year, her book, Soul Surfer: A True Story of Faith, Family, and Fighting to Get Back on the Board, was published. Her story was also told in the 2007 documentary film Heart of a Soul Surfer. This film focused on her strong Christian faith and how it helped her after the shark attack.

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

In 2011, Bethany shared her story in a video for the Christian organization I Am Second. She talked about how she trusted in God after the shark attack. The movie Soul Surfer, based on her book, was released that same year. Actress AnnaSophia Robb played Bethany, but Bethany herself performed all the one-armed surfing stunts in the film.

Bethany also appeared on the TLC series 19 Kids and Counting in an episode called "Duggars Under the Sea." She met the Duggar family when they visited her in Atlanta, Georgia.

She played herself in the 2014 film Dolphin Tale 2, which was about a baby dolphin named Hope. Bethany and her husband, Adam Dirks, competed as a team on the 25th season of The Amazing Race in 2014, finishing in third place.

The documentary Bethany Hamilton: Unstoppable was released in 2018. It showed her journey from being a young surfer to a mother. The film highlighted how Bethany continues to be a fearless athlete, even with a family.

In 2024, Bethany competed on The Masked Singer as "Macaron." She was the first amputee to compete on the show.

Her Life Off the Waves

In early 2012, Bethany met Adam Dirks, a youth minister, through friends. They got engaged in 2013 and married on August 18, 2013. Their wedding took place on [[Kauaʻi]]'s north shore, near where Bethany grew up. They now have four children: three sons and a daughter. Their family life is shown in her documentary, Bethany Hamilton: Unstoppable. Besides being a professional surfer, Bethany also offers mentorship classes. These classes focus on faith, healing, health, and relationships. Bethany is a Christian.

Books by Bethany Hamilton

Bethany Hamilton has published several books. Her mother also wrote a book about Bethany's story.

Helping Others: Bethany's Outreach Programs

Bethany is involved in many charity efforts. She has her own foundation called Friends of Bethany. This foundation helps young people and those who have lost limbs. It encourages them to overcome challenges by offering hope and support. Bethany also uses her platform as a professional athlete to promote a healthy lifestyle. She wrote the book Body and Soul in 2014 to share these ideas. In 2019, a documentary about her, Bethany Hamilton: Unstoppable, was released, along with a photo book and a children's book.

The Friends of Bethany Foundation has several programs:

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

Bethany's Surfing Achievements

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

Placings in surf competitions
Year	Event	Place	Country
1998	Rell Sunn Menehune	1st
2002	Open Women's Division of theNSSA
2004	NSSA National Competition
2005
2006	NSSA National Championship: 18-and-under Finalist	5th
2006	Hawaii Team Highlights	4th 3rd
2007	NSSA Regionals	1st
2007	T & C Pipeline Women's Pro
2008	US Open of Surfing—Huntington Beach, California	5th
2008	Roxy Pro Surf Festival—Phillip Island	3rd
2008	ASP's World Qualifying Series	14th	N/A
2009	Rio Surf International in Rio de Janeiro	3rd
2009	WSL's World Qualifying Series	14th
2009	Billabong ASP World Junior Championship	2nd
2009	World Cup Sunset Beach	13th
2010	Rip Curl Pro Portugal	9th
2011	Rip Curl Women's Pro Bells Beach	13th
2012	Telstra Drug Aware Pro	9th
2012	Rip Curl Cup Padang Padang	N/A
2012	Swatch Girl's Pro France	37th
2013	Supergirl Pro	9th
2014	Hurley Australian Open	37th
2014	Surf 'n' Sea Pipeline Women's Pro	1st
2015	Swatch Women's Pro	13th
2016	Fiji Women's Pro	3rd
2016	Swatch Women's Pro	13th
2017	Wahine Pipe Pro	17th
2017	Outerknown Fiji Women's Pro	9th
2018	Surf Ranch Pro–Lemoore, CA	13th
2018	Beachwaver Maui Pro
2020	Sydney Surf Pro	17th
2021	Nissan Super Girl Surf Pro	33rd
2022	HIC Pipe Pro	13th
2022	Billabong Pro Pipeline	9th
2022	Priority Destinations Pro	4th

Films and TV Shows

Bethany Hamilton has appeared in several films and television series.

Film Appearances

Television Appearances

See also

In Spanish: Bethany Hamilton para niños