Bethany Hamilton would probably tell you to live each day to its’ fullest because you’re life can change in an instant. Almost one year ago, Bethany survived a shark attack while surfing near her home on Kauai. News of the attack spread through the surf community and grabbed the attention of media outlets everywhere. While Bethany was dealing with surgery, healing, and the reality of losing her left arm, well wishes and prayers for a speedy recovery were sent from around the world.
Before that tragic day, Bethany was enjoying a budding surfing career. She started competing when she was seven and by age 13 she was ranked second among amateur girls in Hawaii. Bethany traveled to California in the summer of 2003 where she had her best season yet, finishing runner-up in the prestigious Open Women Final at the NSSA National Scholastic Championships. She then went on to place third in shortboard and second in longboard at the United States Surfing Championships. She was at a point in her amateur career that the surf media was just beginning to notice, and Bethany could see professional surfing was in her near future.
Other shark attack victims have received very little press, if any. Why the international media latched onto her story nobody knows. Maybe it was fate that put Bethany Hamilton in such a sudden spotlight. She has certainly gone above and beyond anyone’s expectations.
Less than a month after the attack Bethany was out surfing. It wasn’t much longer and she was back to surfing competitions. She qualified for this summer’s NSSA Championships where she placed a very impressive 4th in the Open Women Final. Losing an arm has not been a setback for Bethany. She proved resilient and when a young girl shows bravery and determination in the face of tragedy, the world takes notice.
In everyday life Bethany is shy and quiet, I guess you could even say introverted. She still loves to go surfing and she doesn’t want any special favors, yet at the same time she’s more comfortable when the waves aren’t too crowded. She’s been interviewed so many times that she may appear disinterested or standoffish. But seriously, how many times would you want to relive the details of a shark attack? Her older brother Noah shares a little insight. “She’s very reserved, and sometimes she saves everything for an explosive moment. But when she wants to say something it’s very profound.”
Bethany became an overnight sensation. She has since traveled like a movie star, throwing an opening pitch for the Oakland A’s and even appearing on the Oprah Winfrey Show! She’s inspired housewives in Kansas and professional surfers like Rochelle Ballard. “She doesn’t let it go to her head,” says Noah. “While she’d rather be out surfing, she knows she has places to go, appearances to make, and lots of stuff to do. She knows God has a bigger plan for her.”
I can’t help thinking of the saying, “actions speak louder than words.” Because it’s not necessarily a spectacular interview someone read or any epiphanies Bethany has shared with us all, it’s merely her actions that have us so enamored. She’s the little engine that could, and she’s showed all of us that we should never give up on anything, including our wildest dreams.
Recent Comments