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BETHANY HAMILTON     Shark Attack

Born: 8 February 1990
Died: Still Alive
Location: Hawaii, USA

On 31st October 2003 Bethany Hamilton had a life changing accident. She was surfing off Kauai’s north shore in Hawaii when she was attacked by a 14 foot tiger shark and her arm was bitten off. Pushing pain and panic aside, she immediately began to paddle with one arm, focusing on a single thought: “Get to the beach...”

The first thing Bethany wanted to know after surgery was “When can I surf again?” Her unfaltering spirit and determination were to be part of a greater story – a tale of courage and faith that she would come to share with the world. She has travelled to visit other “survivors” and encourage them in their battle to hold on to their dreams. This has included visiting US troops in hospital, disaster zones and working to encourage disabled children to aim high.

Bethany’s dream was of becoming a professional surfer. She had entered her first competition at the age of 11. By 13 she was an accomplished surfer and well respected in the surfing world. Then came the accident. However, within 5 weeks she was back to the sport she loved, determined not to let this “accident” ruin her future.

She went on to win 5th place at the National Surfing Championships. Since the accident she has made numerous finals and won three contests. In August 2005 she took first place in the Open Women’s Division at the first contest on the Hawaii NSSA circuit. She dominated the National Scholastic Surfing Association Championships, taking first place in the Explorer Women’s Division. In August 2006 she won 3rd place in the Girl’s Division of the Billabong Junior Pro competition in Hawaii. Just a couple of days before she had won 2nd place in the Open Women Division and 3rd place in the Explorer Women’s Division at the NSSA event at La Haina, Hawaii. In 2008, she began competing full-time on the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) World Qualifying Series (WQS). In her first competition against many of the world's best women surfers, she finished 3rd.

In 2004 Bethany told her story in her book “Soul Surfer: A True Story of Faith, Family and Fighting to get back on the board”. During the autumn of 2006 Hollywood is turning the book into a movie that has been described as “Blue Crush” meets “Rocky” meets “Chariots of Fire!”  Bethany has appeared on numerous TV shows, in loads of magazines including The Reader’s Digest & JAM Magazine in the UK. Bethany is sponsored by Rip Curl, the surf wear company. She has also marketed her own perfume called “Stoked” and an eponymous line of accessories sold at teen favourites “Claire’s”. She has also produced a documentary DVD “Heart of a Soul Surfer” which deals with topics ranging from self-consciousness and courage to faith in God by a series of interviews, surf clips and Christian music tracks. It was released in 2007. In 2011, AnnaSophia Robb will portray her in the upcoming film "Soul Surfer". Dennis Quaid, Helen Hunt, & Carrie Underwood are set to co-star in the film.

IN HER OWN WORDS:

“People I don’t even know come up to me. I guess they see me as a symbol of courage and inspiration. One thing hasn’t changed – and that’s how I feel when I’m riding a wave. It’s like, here I am. I’m still here. It’s still me and my board – in God’s ocean!”

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