Bethany Hamilton went out to surf at Tunnels Beach in Ha’ena, Hawaii with her best friend, Alana Blanchard, and Blanchard’s father and brother. While lying on her board, Hamilton suddenly felt intense pressure on her left arm and was pulled back and forth for a few seconds before the flurry passed. Initially feeling no pain, she noticed the water around her had turned red, and her shocked friends realized that her left arm had been severed nearly to the shoulder.
Blanchard’s father fashioned a quick tourniquet from his surfboard leash and led everyone to shore. Hamilton was rushed to the hospital. Although she lost approximately 60 percent of her blood following the attack and underwent several surgeries, she was stabilized and released after a few days.
As the story drew national attention, it was determined that Hamilton had been attacked by a 14-foot tiger shark. Seemingly level-headed about the incident and the radical change to her body, she vowed to return to surfing as soon as possible.
Hamilton resumed surfing just one month after the attack, her determination helping to keep the story alive in the news cycle. Her 2004 autobiography, Soul Surfer: A True Story of Faith, Family, and Fighting to Get Back on the Board, became a bestseller, and she was honored for her courage by MTV, ESPN and the United States Sports Academy.
Even more important, Hamilton demonstrated that the loss of an arm was no obstacle to fulfilling her surfing goals. She won the Explorer Women’s division at the 2005 NSSA National Championships, and began competing on the pro circuit in 2007.
Bethany Hamilton has since become synonymous with inspiration. Bethany is a sought-after public speaker. She is motivating audiences worldwide to live their life with more tenacity, courage and faith. Bethany’s story of overcoming obstacles shines with determination, passion, and hope.
**Source: https://www.biography.com/people/bethany-hamilton
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