Bethany Hamilton
Bethany Meilani Hamilton ( born February 8, 1990, Kauai, Hawaii) is an American professional surfer who in the attack of a tiger shark 2003 lost his left arm.
Life
Hamilton learned to surf by her parents, who had moved as enthusiastic surfers even before her birth from the U.S. mainland to Hawaii. At the age of five she won first place in the Quiksilver " push-and- Ride" contest. With the victory, the " Rell Sunn Menehune " they could decide in 1998 their first major competition for themselves. At the " Rell Sunn " kick girls between six and nine years of age in both long and short board classes on the island of Oahu against each other. To get her dream of a career as a professional surfer closer, Hamilton took 1999 to the 23 " Haleiwa Menehune " championships and finished in first place. In February 2000, she won the " Volcom Pufferfish " in the class " of girls under eleven " and " under fifteen years ' competition. Then Rip Curl was on the back in the " National Scholastic Surfing Association " ( NSSA ) organized Hamilton attentive and still is her sponsor.
Hamilton is a devout Christian and wrote in 2004 the book " Soul Surfer " in which she considers the experience of the shark attack from the aspect of their faith.
In 2004, she won the " ESPY Award " for the best athletes comeback of the year and a special prize of the Teen Choice Awards for her courage.
In 2005 she won the first rank " NSSA National Championships ." Since 2008 she surfs as a full time professional on the " ASP World Qualifying Series" ( WQS ). In her first competition she could occupy the third place.
After her convalescence Hamilton was among others at 20 /20, Good Morning America, the Oprah Winfrey Show and The Tonight Show guest.
On August 18, 2013 Bethany Hamilton Adam Dirks married in Hawaii.
Shark attack
On 31 October 2003 Hamilton went early in the morning to go surfing in the " Tunnels Beach " on Kauai. Approximately at 7:30 clock she was attacked on her surfboard lying by an approximately 14 ft (about 4.27 m ) large tiger shark. The shark severed her left arm just below the shoulder from. Your friends, they had in common with those on the water, helped her back to paddle to the beach. They used their leashes to prevent further blood loss as possible, and thus saved their lives. When she was finally taken to the " Wilcox Memorial Hospital ", leaving her father, who was on this morning for a knee surgery in the hospital, her in the operating room his place.
Hamilton, determined to return to surfing, three weeks after the incident began to train again in the open sea. It uses a customized board, which has a handle to facilitate the getting up with one arm. Since 2004, Hamilton again takes part in competitions.
Achievements
* 4 the Brazilian competition, fifth at the World Games in the U.S..
Films
In 2007, the documentary " Heart of a Soul Surfer ," which she describes herself as a " faith -based documentary", portrayed her life story. The film also describes their desire to give the attack a spiritual meaning and purpose.
2011 her life story was filmed under the title Soul Surfer with AnnaSophia Robb, Helen Hunt and Dennis Quaid in the lead roles. Theatrical release in the U.S. was the 8th April 2011.