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
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
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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.
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2020
Bethany returns to competitive surfing, announcing goal of trying to qualify for the WSL World Tour.
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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)
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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!)
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2009
Finished 14th on WSL’s World Qualifying series rankings
3rd Place: Rio Surf International
Rio de Janiero, Brazil2nd Place: Billabong ASP World Junior Championship
AUSFirst 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!)
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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-under1st Place: O’Neill Island Girl Junior Pro
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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
Books
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.