1. Early Life
Bethany Hamilton's early life was deeply rooted in the surfing culture of Hawaii, where she quickly developed a passion for the sport that would define her career.
1.1. Childhood and Family
Bethany Meilani Hamilton was born on February 8, 1990, in Lihue, Hawaii, to parents Tom and Cheri Hamilton. She is the youngest of three children, with two older brothers, Noah and Timothy. Her mother was a housewife who homeschooled Bethany from sixth grade through high school, while her father worked as a waiter at a local café. Growing up in Hawaii, Hamilton was exposed to surfing from a very young age, a natural part of her family and environment.
1.2. Early Surfing Career
Hamilton began her surfing journey at the age of three and started competing competitively by the age of eight. Her exceptional talent and dedication quickly became apparent, leading her to secure her first sponsorship by the age of ten. She achieved early success, including winning the Rell Sun Menehune competition in 1998 and the Open Women's Division of the National Scholastic Surfing Association (NSSA) in 2002. She was considered a promising professional surfer before the life-changing shark attack.
2. Shark Attack and Recovery
Bethany Hamilton's life was dramatically altered by a shark attack in 2003, but her remarkable journey of recovery and return to the sport she loved became a source of global inspiration.
2.1. The Attack
On the morning of October 31, 2003, at the age of 13, Bethany Hamilton went for a surf along Tunnels Beach in Kauai, Hawaii. She was accompanied by her best friend, Alana Blanchard, and Alana's father and brother, Holt and Byron. Around 7:30 AM, while Hamilton was lying on her surfboard with her left arm dangling in the calm, turtle-filled water, a tiger shark, estimated to be between 14 ft and 15 ft long, attacked her. The shark swiftly bit off her left arm just below the shoulder. Alana's father, Holt Blanchard, fashioned a tourniquet out of a rash guard and wrapped it around the stump of her arm to control the severe bleeding before rushing her to the hospital.
2.2. Hospitalization and Initial Recovery
Upon arrival at Wilcox Medical Center, Hamilton had lost over 60% of her blood and was in hypovolemic shock. Coincidentally, her father was already at the hospital, scheduled for knee surgery that same morning, but Hamilton took his place in the operating room, treated by the same surgeon. She reported not feeling much pain immediately after the attack but experienced a loss of sensation on the way to the hospital. She spent seven days in the hospital recovering from the traumatic incident and extensive blood loss.
2.3. Return to Surfing
Despite the severe trauma, Hamilton was determined to return to surfing. Less than a month after the attack, she was back in the water, returning to surfing on November 26, 2003, just 26 days after the incident. Initially, she used a custom-made surfboard that was longer and slightly thicker than standard boards, featuring a handle for her right arm to aid with paddling. She also learned to use her legs more to compensate for the loss of her left arm. After teaching herself to surf with one arm, she entered her first major competition on January 10, 2004, using standard competitive performance short-boards. The shark-bitten surfboard she was riding during the attack, along with the swimsuit she was wearing (originally a gift from ocean photographer Aaron Chang), are on display at the California Surf Museum in Oceanside, California.

3. Professional Surfing Career
Following the shark attack, Bethany Hamilton continued her professional surfing career, achieving notable results and expressing her views on significant social issues within the sport.
3.1. Major Competition Results
Bethany Hamilton has participated in numerous surfing competitions, achieving significant placings despite the challenges she faced. Her major competition results include:
Year | Event | Place | Country |
---|---|---|---|
1998 | Rell Sunn Menehune | 1st | U.S. |
2002 | Open Women's Division of the NSSA | 1st | U.S. |
2004 | NSSA National Competition | 1st | Australia |
2004 | NSSA Regional Event | 5th | U.S. |
2005 | NSSA National Competition | 1st | U.S. |
2005 | O'Neill Island Girl Junior Pro tournament | 1st | U.S. |
2006 | NSSA National Championship: 18-and-under Finalist | 5th | U.S. |
2006 | Hawaii Team Highlights | 4th 3rd | U.S. |
2007 | NSSA Regionals | 1st | U.S. |
2007 | T & C Pipeline Women's Pro | 1st | U.S. |
2007 | Women's Pipeline Championship | 4th | U.S. |
2008 | US Open of Surfing-Huntington Beach, CA | 5th | U.S. |
2008 | Roxy Pro Surf Festival-Phillip Island | 3rd | Australia |
2008 | ASP's World Qualifying Series | 14th | |
2009 | Rio Surf International in Rio de Janeiro | 3rd | Brazil |
2009 | WSL's World Qualifying Series | 14th | Peru |
2009 | Billabong ASP World Junior Championship | 2nd | Australia |
2009 | World Cup Sunset Beach | 13th | U.S. |
2010 | Rip Curl Pro Portugal | 9th | Portugal |
2011 | Rip Curl Women's Pro Bells Beach | 13th | Australia |
2012 | Telstra Drug Aware Pro | 9th | Australia |
2012 | Rip Curl Cup Padang Padang | Indonesia | |
2012 | Swatch Girl's Pro France | 37th | France |
2013 | Supergirl Pro | 9th | U.S. |
2014 | Hurley Australian Open | 37th | Australia |
2014 | Surf 'n' Sea Pipeline Women's Pro | 1st | U.S. |
2015 | Swatch Women's Pro | 13th | U.S. |
2016 | Fiji Women's Pro | 3rd | Fiji |
2016 | Swatch Women's Pro | 13th | U.S. |
2017 | Wahine Pipe Pro | 17th | U.S. |
2017 | Outerknown Fiji Women's Pro | 9th | Fiji |
2018 | Surf Ranch Pro-Lemoore, CA | 13th | U.S. |
2018 | Beachwaver Maui Pro | 13th | U.S. |
2020 | Sydney Surf Pro | 17th | Australia |
2021 | Nissan Super Girl Surf Pro | 33rd | U.S. |
2021 | HIC Pipe Pro | 13th | U.S. |
2022 | Billabong Pro Pipeline | 9th | U.S. |
2022 | Priority Destinations Pro | 4th | U.S. |
3.2. Stance on Transgender Athlete Policy
In January 2023, Bethany Hamilton announced her decision to boycott all World Surf League (WSL) events. This stance came in response to the WSL's policy change allowing transgender women to compete in the female category, provided they maintain a testosterone level below 5 nmol/L for 12 months prior to competition. Hamilton publicly questioned whether hormone levels alone constitute a fair and accurate assessment of biological sex for competitive purposes, asserting that transgender athletes should have a separate division created for them. She argued that transgender women possess a biological advantage over cisgender women, citing observations in other sports like running and swimming where male-bodied dominance has been observed. Hamilton also expressed her belief that many female surfers on tour share her concerns but are hesitant to speak out due to fear of ostracization. Her position generated varied reactions, drawing support from some and criticism from others within the surfing community and beyond.
4. Media Appearances and Public Speaking
Following the shark attack, Bethany Hamilton became a prominent figure in media, using her platform to share her story and inspire audiences worldwide.
4.1. Television and Magazine Appearances
Hamilton's compelling story of survival and resilience quickly garnered significant media attention. Her manager, Roy "Dutch" Hofstetter, played a key role in managing her rise in the media, transforming her image from a shark attack victim into an inspirational role model. She has appeared as a guest on numerous high-profile television shows, including The Amazing Race (where she and her husband, Adam Dirks, competed in the 25th season, finishing in third place), The Biggest Loser, 20/20, Good Morning America, Inside Edition, The Oprah Winfrey Show, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, The Today Show, and The Tonight Show. She was also featured in the show Dude Perfect.
In addition to television, Hamilton has been featured in various magazines, such as People, Time, and American Girl. Notably, she was the cover story for the first issue of NiNe magazine. In 2024, Hamilton participated in season twelve of The Masked Singer as "Macaron," making her the first amputee to compete on the show, with her costume's left arm being stationary to reflect her real-life condition. She was eliminated in the "Group C Premiere."
4.2. Public Speaking and Motivational Work
Bethany Hamilton has become a sought-after public speaker, motivating audiences worldwide with her message of tenacity, courage, and faith. She shares her personal experiences of overcoming immense adversity, particularly the shark attack and her recovery, to inspire others. Her public speaking engagements often emphasize the role of her Christian faith in her resilience. Hamilton delivers motivational lectures around the world, imparting courage and hope to people facing their own challenges. She also offers mentorship classes focusing on faith, healing, personal health, and relationships, extending her motivational work beyond formal speaking events.
5. Books
Bethany Hamilton has authored several books, including autobiographies and inspirational works, sharing her life story and faith. Additionally, books written by her family members provide further perspectives on her journey.
5.1. Autobiographies and Inspirational Books
Hamilton's most prominent book is her 2004 autobiography, Soul Surfer: A True Story of Faith, Family, and Fighting to Get Back on the Board, co-authored with Rick Bundschuh and Sheryl Berk. This book details the period leading up to the shark attack, her recovery process, how she managed media attention, and her ultimate return to competitive surfing.
Her other inspirational works, primarily Christian devotional books, include:
- Devotions for the Soul Surfer (2006, reprinted 2011), a Christian devotional for young girls.
- Rise Above: A 90-day Devotional (2007), another Christian devotional for young girls, addressing "hot and cool topics" they face.
- Ask Bethany: FAQs: Surfing, Faith, and Friends (2007), where she answers questions about faith and its role in her life.
- Body and Soul: A Girl's Guide to a Fit, Fun, and Fabulous Life (2014), co-authored with Dustin Dillberg, offering guidelines for a healthy lifestyle, including workouts, recipes, and stress coping tips.
- Ask Bethany: Bethany Answers Over 200 Questions from Girls Like You (2014, reprinted 2016), further answering fan questions about her life and faith.
- Be Unstoppable: The Art of Never Giving Up (2018), encouraging readers to be bold, enjoy life, and trust God, featuring photos, inspirational quotes, and life lessons.
5.2. Children's Books
Hamilton has also ventured into children's literature, adapting her story to convey messages of courage and positivity to younger readers. These include:
- Unstoppable Me (2018), co-authored with Adam Dirks and illustrated by Gill Guile, a children's book following Makana the lion, who loves surfing but loses confidence after a wipeout, only to rediscover her passion with friends' help.
- Surfing Past Fear (2022), co-authored with BRAVE BOOKS and illustrated by Martin Moròn, where fellow beachgoers help Olivia overcome her fears after a arm fracture.
5.3. Books by Others
Her story has also been chronicled by her family members, offering additional perspectives. Her mother, Cheri Hamilton, co-authored Raising a Soul Surfer: One Family's Epic Tale (2011) with Rick Bundschuh. This book provides an account of Bethany's shark attack and recovery from the viewpoint of her parents.
6. Film and Documentary Adaptations
Bethany Hamilton's life story has been extensively adapted into films and documentaries, showcasing her journey and impact.
6.1. Soul Surfer Film
The 2011 feature film Soul Surfer is based on Hamilton's 2004 autobiography of the same name and additional interviews. The film details the period leading up to the shark attack, her subsequent recovery, and her determined return to professional surfing. Directed by Sean McNamara, the cast includes AnnaSophia Robb as Bethany Hamilton, with Dennis Quaid and Helen Hunt portraying her parents, Tom and Cheri Hamilton. Other notable cast members include Craig T. Nelson, Carrie Underwood, and Kevin Sorbo. Notably, Hamilton herself performed all the one-armed surfing stunts in the film, adding a layer of authenticity to the portrayal.
6.2. Bethany Hamilton: Unstoppable Documentary
The 2018 documentary Bethany Hamilton: Unstoppable explores Hamilton's life, tracing her journey from a determined young surfer to a married woman and mother, while continuing to pursue her professional surfing career. The film delves into how marriage and motherhood have influenced her athletic pursuits, showcasing her continuous efforts to redefine what it means to be a fearless athlete. The documentary brings new meaning to the phrase "Surf Like a Girl," demonstrating her unwavering spirit in chasing both her family life and the biggest waves. The documentary was accompanied by a photo book and a children's book.
6.3. Other Film and Television Appearances
Beyond her biographical film and documentary, Bethany Hamilton has made several other appearances in film and television:
- In 2007, a short subject documentary film titled Heart of a Soul Surfer was released. Described as a "faith-based documentary," it explores her devout Christianity and the courage and faith in Jesus Christ that guided her in the aftermath of the shark attack, as well as her quest for spiritual meaning.
- In 2009, she was a contestant on Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader?, winning 25.00 K USD.
- In 2010, she appeared on an episode of ABC's Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.
- In March 2011, Hamilton was featured in a video for the Christian organization "I Am Second", where she shared her struggles after the shark attack and how she relied on God to help her through.
- In October 2011, she appeared on the TLC series 19 Kids and Counting, in an episode titled "Duggars Under the Sea," when the Duggar family visited her in Atlanta, Georgia.
- She played herself in the 2014 film Dolphin Tale 2, which centers on the story of the baby dolphin Hope.
- In 2021, Hamilton was featured in a short film by Rip Curl titled Master and Apprentice alongside young female surfer Erin Brooks.
7. Personal Life
Bethany Hamilton's personal life is characterized by her marriage and family, alongside her deeply rooted Christian faith which has played a significant role throughout her journey.
7.1. Marriage and Family
In early 2012, Bethany Hamilton met Adam Dirks, a youth minister, through mutual friends. The couple became engaged in 2013 and married on August 18, 2013, at an estate on Kauai's north shore, near where Hamilton grew up. The wedding was attended by approximately 300 family members and friends. Their marriage and family life are featured prominently throughout her documentary, Bethany Hamilton: Unstoppable. The couple has four children: three sons and one daughter.
7.2. Christian Faith and Beliefs
Christian faith has been a cornerstone of Bethany Hamilton's life, particularly influencing her during and after the shark attack and recovery process. She frequently speaks about how her trust in God provided her with strength and resilience to overcome the trauma and challenges she faced. Hamilton's deep faith in Jesus Christ is a recurring theme in her autobiographies, inspirational books, and public speaking engagements, where she openly shares her spiritual journey. She also offers mentorship classes that focus on faith, healing, and personal well-being, further integrating her beliefs into her outreach efforts.
8. Outreach Programs
Bethany Hamilton is actively involved in various charitable and volunteer activities, primarily through her own foundation, which aims to inspire and support others facing adversity.
8.1. Friends of Bethany Foundation
Hamilton established the [http://www.friendsofbethany.com 'Friends of Bethany' foundation], a non-profit organization dedicated to encouraging and offering hope to amputees and youth, particularly by sharing how to overcome difficulties through Jesus Christ. The foundation leverages Hamilton's platform as a professional athlete to promote a fit and healthy lifestyle, aligning with her book Body and Soul, published in 2014, which advocates for overall well-being. The foundation's work extends beyond physical recovery, emphasizing spiritual and emotional healing.
8.2. Key Programs and Initiatives
The Friends of Bethany Foundation runs several distinct programs, each tailored to specific needs and objectives:
- Beautifully Flawed: This program is a retreat designed for young women aged 14 to 25 who have experienced traumatic limb loss. It hosts six events annually, featuring guest speakers, practical health and wellness tips specifically adapted for individuals with limb loss, postural training, and surf lessons. The retreats aim to foster self-acceptance and confidence.
- Shine Forth: An annual free community event, Shine Forth is an evening filled with inspiring stories of overcoming adversity. It serves as a gathering where individuals can share their comeback stories and find motivation. Bethany Hamilton often participates, including book signings at this event.
- Anchored in Love: This is a one-day conference held annually in San Diego, California, specifically for girls and young women aged 12 and up. The program is designed to help participants discover their true beauty, purpose, and self-worth, featuring several guest speakers who share uplifting messages.
- The Forge: A men's retreat, The Forge focuses on faith, fitness, and healthy living for young male amputees. This program is personally run by Bethany, her husband Adam Dirks, and their friend and mentor Mike Coots, providing a supportive environment for recovery and growth.
9. Impact and Assessment
Bethany Hamilton's life story and public persona have had a significant impact on society, leading to widespread positive recognition while also encountering some criticisms.
9.1. Positive Impact and Recognition
Hamilton has received immense positive recognition for her extraordinary courage, resilience, and inspiring life story. Her ability to return to professional surfing after such a devastating shark attack has made her a global symbol of perseverance and triumph over adversity. She has been widely praised for her unwavering faith, which she openly shares as a source of her strength. In 2004, Hamilton was honored with the ESPY Award for Best Comeback Athlete, acknowledging her remarkable return to competition. That same year, she also received the Courage Teen Choice Award, further cementing her status as an inspirational figure. Her story is frequently cited as an example of overcoming seemingly insurmountable obstacles, particularly appealing to young people and those facing physical challenges.
9.2. Criticisms and Controversies
While widely lauded, Bethany Hamilton has also faced criticisms, particularly concerning her public statements on social issues. The most notable controversy arose from her stance on the World Surf League's (WSL) policy regarding the inclusion of transgender women in female surfing competitions. Her public boycott of WSL events and her assertion that transgender women possess a biological advantage, calling for a separate division, drew mixed reactions. Supporters lauded her for speaking out on what they perceived as a fairness issue in women's sports, while critics argued that her position was exclusionary and did not align with principles of inclusivity. This particular stance sparked considerable debate and highlighted the complexities of balancing athletic fairness with gender identity in competitive sports.