Bethany Hamilton BY: Helen Hymel

Bethany has given inspiration to millions through her story of faith, determination, and hope. Biography of Bethany Hamilton

She was born on February 8, 1990 on the island of Kauai, Hawaii in a family of surfers.

At the age of eight she entered her first surf competition, the Rell Sun Menehune event on Oahu. Here she won both the short and long board divisions, this is where she feel in love with surfing.

Shark Attack On October 31, 2003, while surfing Bethany was attacked by a 14-foot tiger shark. She lost over 60% of her blood, and went through several surgeries without infection

Bethany was on her way to recovery with an unbelievably positive attitude.

After the Shark Attack Bethany returned to the water to continue pursuing her goal. In January of 2004, Bethany got 5 th place in the open women’s division.

Just over a year after the attack she took 1 st place in the explorer women’s division of the 2005 NSSA national championships- winning her first national title.

In October 2004, Bethany shared her life story in her autobiography entitled Soul Surfer. Seven years latter, the book was made into a major motion picture.