At age 8, Bethany Hamilton won her first surfing competitions and appeared well on her way to engaging in her family’s lifetime love of surfing. At age 13, she lost her left arm after being attacked by a 14-foot tiger shark while surfing. A month later, she was surfing again. Just over a year after the attack, she earned her first national title, placing 1st in the Explorer Women’s division of the 2005 NSSA National Championships.
I first learned of Bethany a few weeks back and noted her story as one to chronicle in the “Greater Desires” series as well as share with my three daughters as an outstanding role model. Seemingly the very next day, my oldest daughter watched the movie “Soul Surfer” at school. The movie is based upon Bethany’s autobiography of the same name. She has since gone on to write other books, be enormously active in faith-based and community outreach and programs while inspiring a legion of followers.
Giving Full Glory to God which Inspires Others
Bethany credits God and her faith as the driving force of her recovery and life. As she says,
“It was Jesus Christ who gave me peace when I was attacked by the shark. They had to get me to the beach, which took 20 minutes of paddling. ‘The peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus’ (Philippians 4:6-8).”
Since then, Bethany’s life shifted from one of an ambitious up and coming professional surfer into that of a professional surfer aspiring to be (and fulfilling the mission of being) “a beacon of inspiration and hope to others”. Her message has given her a platform to inspire, inform and transform lives worldwide.
She recently launched a Kickstarter campaign to raise funds for a new film called “Surf’s Like a Girl” and promising to continue that mission. This documentary will provide a fresh perspective and up-close-and-personal look at her life and career while encouraging young girls to pursue their own passions. There’s a video explaining the project below.
Give it a watch and click through on this link to learn more.