Bethany Hamilton Biography

Fast Facts

• Received the Heal the World Award from Children Mending Hearts in 2012
• Started a foundation called Friends of Bethany to support shark attack survivors and amputees
• Won her first National Title when she took first place in the Explorer Women's division of the 2005 NSSA National Championships
• Entered her first surfing competition at the age of 8, where she won the short and long board divisions and discovered a lifelong love of competitive surfing
• Became a professional surfer in 2007, and has participated in many ASP and World Tour Events
• Lost her arm in a shark attack when she was 13, but overcame the injury and returned to competitive surfing, a journey chronicled in "Soul Surfer․"
• Has written several poems and songs in her spare time
• Published an autobiography called "Soul Surfer: A True Story of Faith, Family, and Fighting to Get Back on the Board․"
• Considers a perfect day to be surfing perfect waves with her friends and family in clear, warm weather
• Her hobbies include playing soccer and tennis, hiking, biking, roller-blading, swimming, stretching and working out