Bethany’s Story

Known most notably as one of the biggest comeback stories of our era, Bethany Hamilton has become synonymous with inspiration. Her story of determination, faith, and hope has resounded in encouragement worldwide. At the age of 13 as a rising surf star, Bethany lost her left arm to a 14-foot tiger shark, which seemed to end her dream career. However, one month after the attack, Bethany returned to surfing and within two years had won her first national surfing title. Bethany’s foundation of faith has been her backbone; her source of truth, hope, and strength. At 17 years old, she realized her dream of surfing professionally and she is still an active surf competitor to this day. Bethany has been able to touch a large number of people with her faith message, charitable efforts, and overall spirit. Her greatest joy is being a wife and mother, and Bethany continues to touch and inspire lives globally as a professional surfer, author and motivational speaker. She currently has her own blog and online course, along with a mother daughter mentorship program called the ‘Ohana Experience, all centered on helping young women be unstoppable in life and faith.

Jump to: Timeline • Surfing Career • Movies • Books • Speaking

“Waterwoman of the Year!”

Surf Industry Manufacturers Association (SIMA) 2017

Full Name:
Bethany Meilani Hamilton

Born:
February 8, 1990 on a double rainbow day

Family:
Adam Dirks (married 2013) Tobias (born 2015), Wesley (born 2018), Micah (born 2021)

Fav Animals:
Manatees, Shar pei dogs, Pigs

Daily Treat:
Dark chocolate

2022

After the birth of their 3rd son in 2021, and the world re-opening for travel, Bethany gets back to speaking across the country & surfing around the world. She competes in the Da Hui Backdoor Shootout and the inaugural Women’s Pipeline Pro. She launches the ‘Ohana Mother Daughter Experience!

(Age 32)

2020

In the midst of a global pandemic, Bethany gave away over 2,500 memberships to the Unstoppable Life online course. Unstoppable the film releases in Australia and New Zealand, and Europe. She announces her third pregnancy!

(Age 30)

2019

Bethany’s film Unstoppable releases theatrically and digitally in the USA. Bethany launches the Unstoppable Year online course.

(Age 29)

2018

Bethany gives birth to her second son, Wesley. She releases two new books, premieres her new film, Unstoppable, and wins Best Women’s Video Performance at the 2018 Surfer Poll.

(Age 28)

2017

Inducted into the Surfer’s Hall of Fame in Huntington Beach, Calif. and honored as SIMA’s Water-Woman of the Year.

(Age 27)

2016

Takes a third place finish at the Fiji Women’s Pro. Tow surfs Pe’ahi “Jaws” on Maui and is nominated for Women’s Best Performance in the WSL Big Wave Awards. Withdraws her ESPY nomination for Best Female Athlete with a Disability.

(Age 26)

2015

Bethany gives birth to her first son, Tobias. She speaks at churches and events around the U.S.

(Age 25)

2014

Bethany places first at Surf N Sea Pipeline Pro, speaks at the National Prayer Breakfast, and is awarded the Nickelodeon Kids Choice “Favorite Comeback Athlete” Award. She and Adam compete on CBS’s “The Amazing Race,” season 25.

(Age 24)

2013

10-year anniversary of the shark attack. Bethany is engaged and married to Adam Dirks.

(Age 23)

2011

The movie about Bethany’s story, Soul Surfer, hits theaters on April 8, 2011, starring AnnaSophia Robb, Helen Hunt, and Dennis Quaid. Bethany travels around the U.S., France, UK, and Ireland to promote the release. It’s nominated for several awards!

(Age 21)

2008

Bethany enters her first year of full-time surfing on the Women’s Pro circuit—traveling around the world for competition and training. She places third at the Roxy Pro in Australia. Meetings begin with the Hollywood movie producers for Soul Surfer, the movie. Her non-profit, Friends of Bethany, launches.

(Age 18)

2004

Bethany’s courageous return to surfing led to her receiving the MTV Teen Choice Award for Courage and ESPN’s “Best Comeback Athlete” ESPY award, among many others. Bethany’s autobiography, Soul Surfer, is published and becomes a best-seller. A year later, she wins the National Surf Championships!

(Age 14)

2003

A rising surf competitor, Bethany places second at the NSSA National Championships in July. On October 31, she is bitten by a shark and her left arm is traumatically amputated to her shoulder. Only 26 days after losing her arm, Bethany returns to surfing with only one arm, receiving international media recognition.

(Age 13)

Surfing

Surfing has been a way of life for Bethany since she was able to get on a board. She sees her passion for surfing as a gift from God and as what compelled her to go back to the sport against all odds. Coming back after the shark attack, Bethany found success in surfing competition; now she makes her mark as a professional surfer in the free surfing arena (chasing waves, getting photos/videos published, and “Living The Search”). She currently competes in choice World Surf League (WSL) tour events, upon invite, and in other special events. In 2016 alone, Bethany’s capacity to inspire reached new heights as she beat a six-time world champion and the top-ranked surfer in the world at a major WSL competition. By overcoming some of the hardest challenges and relentlessly pursuing her passion through faith, she has become one of the leading professional surfers of all time. In 2017, she was inducted into the Surfer’s Hall of Fame.

Career Highlights

  • 2022

    Bethany competes in the Da Hui Backdoor Shootout, receiving “Hard Chargers” Award; and surfs the inaugural Billabong Pipeline Pro women’s event, taking 9th place.

  • 2020

    Bethany returns to competitive surfing, announcing goal of trying to qualify for the WSL World Tour.

  • 2016

    3rd Place: FIJI WOMEN’S PRO
    Cloudbreak, Tavarua, Fiji

    (Tow surfed Pe’ahi “Jaws” on Maui and was nominated for Women’s Best Performance in the WSL Big Wave Awards)

  • 2014

    1st Place: SURF N SEA PIPELINE PRO
    North Shore, Oahu-Hawaii

  • 2012

    Quarter-Final Finish: Rip Curl Cup Padang Padang
    Bali, Indonesia

    (Given a Wildcard, she’s the first woman to compete in this specialty barrel-riding event. Won her first heat!)

  • 2009

    Finished 14th on WSL’s World Qualifying series rankings

    3rd Place: Rio Surf International
    Rio de Janiero, Brazil

    2nd Place: Billabong ASP World Junior Championship
    AUS

    First World Tour event
    (got a Wild Card into the Gidget Pro at Sunset Beach, HI.)

    (Tow Surfed at the famous big wave Peahi “Jaws” on Maui, Hawaii, sparking the passion for more big-wave surfing in the future!)

  • 2008

    Finished 14th on the ASP’s World Qualifying/Star Series Rankings
    3rd Place: Roxy Pro Surf Festival
    Phillip Island, AUS

  • 2006

    5th Place: NSSA National Championship:
    18-and-under Finalist

  • 2005

    1st Place: NSSA National Championship:
    18-and-under

    1st Place: O’Neill Island Girl Junior Pro

  • 2004

    5th Place: NSSA Regional Event
    (January: First competition with one arm!)

    Finalist: NSSA National Championship:
    18-and-under (Summer)

  • 2003

    Returned to surfing with only one arm
    (Nov 26, 2003: 26 days after the shark bite)

    2nd Place: NSSA National Championships
    (July)

Films

Bethany Hamilton: Unstoppable

Bethany Hamilton: Unstoppable is Bethany’s complete and untold story that follows her journey from childhood into motherhood—the ups, downs, and her powerful resilience against all odds to become one of the leading professional surfers of all time. In 2016 alone, Bethany’s capacity to inspire reached new heights as she beat a six-time world champion and the top-ranked surfer in the world at a major competition. From chasing her toddler to chasing the biggest waves, Bethany is continuously re-writing the rules on being a fearless athlete, and brings new meaning to the phrase “Surfs Like a Girl.”

Released theatrically and digitally in the USA in 2019, theatrically in Australia March 13, 2020, and in New Zealand March 26, 2020!

#unstoppablethefilm

Where to Watch

Visit Film Website

Soul Surfer Movie

Soul Surfer: (2011) is the inspiring true story of teen surfer Bethany Hamilton, who lost her arm in a shark attack and courageously overcame all odds to become a champion again, inspiring millions worldwide through the love of her family, her sheer determination, and her unwavering faith in Jesus Christ. The film features an all-star cast, including AnnaSophia Robb and Helen Hunt, with Carrie Underwood in her film debut, and Dennis Quaid.

Heart of a Soul Surfer

With filmmaker Becky Baumgartner, Bethany produced a documentary entitled Heart of a Soul Surfer (2007) which revealed her heart and personal perspective of her story. The documentary and Bethany’s book, Soul Surfer, served as the inspiration for the screenplay of what would become the theatrical movie, Soul Surfer

Books

Surfing Past Fear

Bethany partnered with BRAVE Books in 2022 to write “Surfing Past Fear,” a Christian children’s book that teaches kids how to overcome their fears.

In “Surfing Past Fear,” Olivia the otter breaks her arm, and she’s sure it will end her summer of surfing, but with the help of her friends. Olivia learns to face her fears and gets back on the board! Follow Olivia as she learns to resist her fearful thoughts, and then teach your kids to not be fearful through the activities in the back of the book.

In every BRAVE Book, BRAVE partners with people of moral integrity, like Bethany, to teach complex Christian and Conservative values.

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Be Unstoppable: The Art of Never Giving Up

In the picture book, Be Unstoppable: The Art of Never Giving Up (2018), Bethany inspires readers to be bold, enjoy life, and take the risk of trusting God each day. Alongside breathtaking, never-before-seen photos from the making of her new documentary, Bethany Hamilton: Unstoppable, the book has inspiring quotes and lessons from her life. With a full-color poster included, this book will resonate with new and old fans who will appreciate her story of living life with anticipation for the limitless possibilities found in a faith in God that is bigger than the hardships she faced.

“Bethany’s athleticism and story inspire us all to understand how passions can help an individual push through challenges. We are pleased to present her as role model who will inspire readers to be bold, enjoy life and be the best they can be.” —Annette Bourland, Senior Vice President and Group Publisher at Zondervan

Available wherever books are sold!

Unstoppable Me

Bethany’s children’s book, Unstoppable Me (2018), co-written with her husband Adam Dirks, tells the story of Makana the lion, who loves to surf but loses her nerve when she wipes out. When her friend encourages her to go back out again, Makana summons up the courage and discovers the success that comes from believing in yourself and never giving up.

As seen in the credits of feature film Bethany Hamilton: Unstoppable, this playful board book with foiled padded cover will have little ones cheering for Makana and inspire them to stay strong and keep trying, no matter what challenges might come their way. The story is illustrated by Gill Guile.

Available wherever books are sold!

Body & Soul

Using her platform as a professional athlete to promote living a fit and healthy lifestyle, Bethany authored the book Body & Soul (2014). While sharing her amazing expertise as a world-class athlete, Bethany helps readers become their healthiest, most confident and joyful selves. Her easy plan is filled with fun workouts, good-for-you recipes, and tips for staying stress free and soulful, even on the toughest of days.

Available wherever books are sold!

Soul Surfer

Bethany has already lived more than a lifetime’s worth of triumph and tragedy, and she shares every poignant moment in these pages. In Soul Surfer: A true story of faith, family, and fighting to get back on the board (2004), readers learn how she rose once again to the challenges of competition after a life-changing event, how she dealt with the maelstrom of media attention, and how she relied on her faith and innate positive thinking to embrace changes that would undo most people. Written with passion and insight, and filled with thrilling moments of the sport Bethany has come to personify, this is a portrait of American heroism that will captivate readers of all ages.

Soul Surfer Devotions

She’s blonde, brave, and totally determined―she’s a gutsy professional surfer who has inspired millions, and her biggest audience is teenage girls. In this devotional, Bethany speaks straight to her soul sisters about letting God lead in the epic ride of life.

In this devotional (2011), Bethany shares stories of women to admire, prayers to focus on, and wipeouts to avoid. Girls will hear thoughts on friends, family, faith, gossip, and peer pressure―Bethany covers it all.

Rise Above: A 90 Day Devotional

Young girls will get encouraging words from the Bible and from courageous, young surfer Bethany Hamilton to see them through their day in this devotional book. Both hot and cool topics that every young girl faces will be addressed. An extra, tucked-in feature will give the girls the inside scoop on what Bethany’s life is all about. (published 2007, 2014)

Ask Bethany: FAQ

In her chatty and breezy style, Bethany Hamilton shares information on a wide variety of topics about her life and faith. (published 2007, 2014)

Raising a Soul Surfer

The Hamilton family’s adventures started long before Bethany lost her arm and became a pro surfer. Cheri Hamilton, Bethany’s mom, tells their inspiring family story.

Raising a Soul Surfer invites readers to journey with the Hamiltons to the lush islands of Hawaii, to experience a worldwide news event, Bethany’s shark attack, from her parents point of view. Witness the many small steps of faith and how God stepped in and gave them a higher purpose. (published 2011)

Soul Surfer Series

Book 1: Clash

In Clash, a tight-knit group faces a challenge when a new girl with a secret crowds Bethany and her friends. Important heart issues lead to difficult decisions.

Book 2: Burned

In Burned, Bethany has a run-in with an unpleasant kid on a surf trip to Samoa and discovers something in the Samoan culture that brings healing and forgiveness.

Book 3: Storm

In Storm, Bethany helps a young family lost on the Kalalun trail. As Bethany’s youth group struggles to raise funds for a mission trip, her small act of kindness blesses them all.

Book 4: Crunch

In Crunch, Bethany meets a little girl at an orphanage in Mexico who must have her arm removed. Concerned by her condition, Bethany makes a promise to the child that threatens Bethany’s opportunity to surf in a prestigious contest.

Speaking

Dedicated to helping people live an epic life!

Known most notably for one of the biggest comeback stories of our era, Bethany Hamilton has since become synonymous with inspiration. Bethany is a sought-after public speaker. She is motivating audiences worldwide to live their life with more tenacity, courage and faith.

Bethany’s story of overcoming obstacles shines with determination, passion, and hope. Bring Bethany’s message of perseverance and triumph live to your audience!

Please get in touch through our online form to learn more about bringing Bethany to speak to your group.

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