Bethany Hamilton

Bethany Meilani Hamilton (born February 8, 1990) is an American professional surfer and writer. She is known for surviving a 2003 shark attack in which her left arm was bitten off. She returned to professional surfing. 

She wrote about her experience in the 2004 autobiography Soul Surfer: A True Story of Faith, Family, and Fighting to Get Back on the Board. In April 2011, the feature movie Soul Surfer was released.

 Early life 
Hamilton was born on February 8, 1990, to Tom and Cheri Hamilton in Lihue, Hawaii. She has two older brothers, Noah and Timothy. After learning how to surf at the age of three, Hamilton began surfing competitively at the age of eight and gained her first sponsorship by age 10. Hamilton was home-schooled from sixth grade through high school by her mother, a housewife, while her father was a waiter at a town café.

 Personal life 
In early 2012, Hamilton met youth minister Adam Dirks through mutual friends. They became engaged in 2013. The couple married on August 18, 2013, at an estate on Kauai's north shore, near where Hamilton grew up. They have four children (three sons and a daughter). Their marriage is featured throughout her documentary, Bethany Hamilton: Unstoppable. Along with being a professional surfer, Hamilton now offers mentorship classes on faith, healing, personal health, and relationships.

Books
Hamilton has published nine books, and her mom has also published one about her story. 
 Book title Authors Year published Plot   ,  and  2004    2006, reprinted in 2011   2007    2007    /  2011   Bethany Hamilton, Dustin Dillberg 2014    Bethany Hamilton, Doris Rikkers 2014, reprinted 2016    2018    2018     2022  

 Outreach programs 
Hamilton is involved in numerous charitable efforts, including her own foundation, Friends of Bethany, which reaches out to amputees and youth, encouraging them to overcome difficulties by offering hope through Jesus Christ. Using her platform as a professional athlete to promote living a fit and healthy lifestyle, Hamilton authored the book Body and Soul in 2014. In 2019, a surf documentary was made about her, Bethany Hamilton: Unstoppable, which was accompanied by a photo book and a children's book.

Within the Friends of Bethany Foundation, there are four different programs:

 Beautifully Flawed: retreat designed for young women ages 14–25 who have experienced traumatic limb loss. Six events hosted annually through this program which include: guests speakers, practical health and wellness tips which specifically account for limb loss, postural training, and surf lessons.
 Shine Forth: Night filled with stories and inspiration to overcome, free community event to gather together and share comeback stories. Bethany also does a book signing at this event, which is hosted annually.
 Anchored in Love: Conference for girls and young women ages 12 and up, one day event designed to help girls and young women discover their true beauty, purpose, and worth. Event is held annually in San Diego and features several guest speakers.
 The Forge: Men's retreat where young male amputees come and focus on faith, fitness, and healthy living. This program is run by Bethany, her husband, and friend/mentor Mike Coots.

Surfing career
 Placings in surf competitions Year Event  Place Country 1998   rowspan="4"   2002  NSSA   2004   2005    2006    2006   4th3rd  2007   rowspan="2"  2007   2008 US Open of Surfing—Huntington Beach, California   2008 Roxy Pro Surf Festival—Phillip Island   2008    2009  Rio Surf International in Rio de Janeiro     2009    2009    2009    2010    2011    2012   2012    2012    2013    2014    2014     2015   2016     2016    2017   2017    2018 Surf Ranch Pro–Lemoore, CA rowspan="2"   2018  2020    2021     2021   2022   2022  

References

Other websites





Category:1990 births
Category:Living people
Category:American autobiographers
Category:American surfers
Category:Sportspeople from Hawaii
Category:Writers from Hawaii