On October 31, 2003, Bethany Hamilton was surfing off the north shore of Kauai, Hawaii when Hamilton was suddenly attacked by a tiger shark. The shark took two things with him, a chunk of the surfboard, and Hamilton’s left arm.
Since being born on February 8, 1990 in Lihue, Hawaii to Tom and Cheri Hamilton, two surfers, Bethany has been in the water. She learned to surf at the young age of three and started competing at age eight. Surfing quickly became Hamilton’s passion, her way of life.
Having two arms is something pretty crucial to everyday life, but more importantly to Hamilton, it’s crucial to surfing. At just 13, Bethany was faced with the life-altering reality of losing her arm and possibly never being able to surf again.
Despite this hardship, just a month after her attack, Hamilton was back on her board and in the water. Surfing with just one arm is hard, but not impossible. Proven by Hamilton herself, who has gone on to win national titles and made a career for herself through professional surfing.
Surfing is a surface- water sport in which a person uses a board to stand above the water and ride along the waves created by the current. Surfing is an important part of Hawaiian culture as it connects them to the ocean, honors their land, and allows the community to come together.
Photo Credit – California Surf Museum
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