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 35) Lihue, Hawaii, U.S.
Spouse(s)	Adam Dirks ​ (m. 2013)​
Children	4
Bethany Hamilton Personal information Residence Kauaʻi, 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 author. She is famous for her incredible story of survival and determination. In 2003, when she was just 13, she survived a shark attack where her left arm was bitten off.

Amazingly, she returned to professional surfing and shared her story in her autobiography, Soul Surfer: A True Story of Faith, Family, and Fighting to Get Back on the Board. This book was later made into a popular movie called Soul Surfer. Bethany often says her Christian faith gives her strength. She is also the star of a documentary called Bethany Hamilton: Unstoppable, which shows how she balances her surfing career with being a wife and mother.

Early Life and Surfing Beginnings

Bethany was born in Lihue, Hawaii, to her parents, Tom and Cheri Hamilton. She grew up with two older brothers, Noah and Timothy. She fell in love with the ocean at a young age and learned to surf when she was only three years old.

By the time she was eight, Bethany was already competing in surf competitions. She got her first sponsorship at age 10, which meant a company helped pay for her surfing gear and travel. From sixth grade through high school, Bethany was home-schooled by her mother.

The Shark Attack and Her Amazing Recovery

On October 31, 2003, a day that would change her life forever, 13-year-old Bethany went surfing at Tunnels Beach in Kauaʻi. She was with her best friend, Alana Blanchard. While she was lying on her surfboard, a 14-foot tiger shark attacked, biting off her left arm just below the shoulder.

The Blanchard family acted quickly to help her. Alana's father made a tourniquet from a surf shirt to stop the bleeding. Bethany was rushed to the hospital. She had lost over 60% of her blood and was in a very dangerous condition called hypovolemic shock. Her own father was scheduled for knee surgery that morning, but Bethany took his place in the operating room.

Hamilton surfing in March 2007

Later, a family of fishermen caught a large tiger shark near where the attack happened. The shark's mouth was a perfect match to the bite marks on Bethany's surfboard. Police confirmed it was the same shark that attacked her.

Even after such a scary event, Bethany was determined to surf again. Just one month later, she was back in the water. At first, she used a special, longer board with a handle to help her paddle. She learned to kick more to make up for having only one arm. Today, she uses standard surfboards just like other professional surfers. The surfboard she was riding during the attack is now on display at the California Surf Museum.

Becoming an Inspiration

After the attack, Bethany became a role model for people all over the world. She appeared on many TV shows like Good Morning America, The Oprah Winfrey Show, and The Ellen DeGeneres Show to share her story.

In 2004, she won an ESPY Award for Best Comeback Athlete. That same year, her book Soul Surfer was published. A movie based on her book was released in 2011. In the film, actress AnnaSophia Robb played Bethany, but Bethany herself did all the one-armed surfing stunts.

She also competed on the TV show The Amazing Race with her husband, where they finished in third place. Bethany uses her fame to inspire others through public speaking and her foundation.

Personal Life

In 2012, Bethany met a youth minister named Adam Dirks. They got married in August 2013 in Kauaʻi, near where she grew up. Together, they have four children: three sons and a daughter.

Bethany is a devout Christian and often speaks about how her faith has guided her through life's challenges. She also offers classes to help people with their faith, health, and relationships. .....

Books by Bethany Hamilton

Bethany has written several books to share her story and inspire others. Her mother also wrote a book about the family's experience.

Helping Others

Bethany started a foundation called Friends of Bethany. It helps young people and people who have lost limbs. The foundation offers hope and encouragement to help them overcome challenges.

Her foundation has several programs:

• Beautifully Flawed: Retreats for young women (ages 14–25) who have lost a limb. They learn about health, wellness, and even how to surf.
• Shine Forth: A free community event where people share inspiring comeback stories.
• Anchored in Love: A conference for girls (ages 12 and up) to help them discover their purpose and worth.
• The Forge: A retreat for young men who have lost a limb, focusing on faith, fitness, and healthy living.

Surfing Career Highlights

Bethany has competed in surfing events all over the world and has had many impressive finishes.

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
2009	Rio Surf International in Rio de Janeiro	3rd
2009	Billabong ASP World Junior Championship	2nd
2014	Surf 'n' Sea Pipeline Women's Pro	1st
2016	Fiji Women's Pro	3rd

Stance on World Surf League Rules

In 2023, the World Surf League (WSL) announced a new rule. It allowed transgender women to compete in the women's category if they met certain hormone level requirements. Bethany announced she would not compete in WSL events under this new rule.

She stated that she believes transgender women may have a physical advantage. She suggested that a separate division should be created for transgender athletes. Her opinion received both support and criticism from the public.

Film and Television Appearances

Film

Television

See also

In Spanish: Bethany Hamilton para niños