About ...

Bethany Hamilton is one of the best female surfers in the world. When she was 13, a tiger shark attacked her while she was surfing and bit off her left arm, amputating it to the shoulder. While many believed this would end her surfing career, Bethany returned to surfing just one month later. Two years later, she won her first National title!

Bethany’s inspiring journey to become a professional surfer as an amputee was adapted into the 2011 film "Soul Surfer." She also runs her own foundation, Friends of Bethany, which reaches out to amputees and youth.

Special Facts ...

• Placed first in eight surfing competitions since 1998
• Started learning to surf at age two