She lost her arm in the jaws of a shark but overcame her fear of the ocean: Bethany Hamilton’s story

The Hawaiian Islands have long been considered a paradise for great tiger sharks and hell for swimmers, surfers and vacationing tourists. The threat of these bloodthirsty predators attacking humans usually increases in October. It is at this time of year that tiger sharks rush to the main islands to breed. And then begin to actively hunt, trying to replenish their strength. And here the monsters of the Pacific Ocean do not care at all who the prey is – a large fish or a person….

Shark attack

The morning of October 31, 2003 was a beautiful day. The rising sun was shining softly and brightly, and the ocean off the coast of Kauai was cool. There was a slight ripple and it was very pleasant to lie on a surfboard, carefree enjoying life. Bethany Hamilton, a promising young American athlete who had already won a number of competitions, had her left hand in the blue-blue water and was snoozing sweetly.

Adult Bethany Hamilton on the board

“I was lying sideways on the board. Everything happened in the blink of an eye. I felt something very heavy coming at me and then a few sharp jerks. I realized it was a shark when I saw the water turn red. It was my blood. I tried to hold on to the board and not let myself be dragged under the water. The shark started tearing back and forth like I was a big piece of steak. Then it let go and went under. My left arm was gone up to my shoulder…” – Bethany later described the tragic event in her book Soul Surfer: A True Story of Faith, Family and the Struggle to Get Back on the Board.

At first, none of Bethany’s friends noticed what had happened. It happened quickly, almost lightning fast. It wasn’t until blood gushed from the tiger shark’s bitten hand that people on shore became alarmed and rushed to help.

The 13-year-old surfer was in a semi-conscious state. They had to pull her out of the water very carefully. The father of one of Bethany’s friends rolled the strap from the surfer into a tourniquet and tightened the wound. His actions may have saved the athlete’s life. Although Bethany Hamilton, as it turned out later, lost more than half of her blood.

Life after the shark

We must give credit to the self-possession of the girl, who surprised the experienced doctors of the ambulance with her resistance to pain. Bethany’s strong organism withstood all the trials that fell to her share. Soon the American went on the mend. It would seem that the most terrible thing was left behind and scraps stuck in the memory. However, a new, more complex problem could quite knock Bethany Hamilton out of the rut. It was necessary to get used to an unusual condition for herself and not to fall into depression.

Hawaiian girl who grew up on the ocean, did not accept her plight. Bethany literally saved surfing. Passionate desire to “catch the wave” and dashing on its crest never left Hamilton. And she defied fate. Bethany refused a special prosthesis, imitating the left hand. Her father’s idea was to make an original board with a loop for her right hand.

As an adult, Bethany still loves surfing

“It was my dad who was the most worried. He was incredibly angry about everything that happened. But in the end he got over it and saw that I was still striving for life. And he supported me. He made a special handle for my surfboard to help me dive under the waves,” Bethany said in an interview.

Exactly 26 days later, Bethany Hamilton took to the water with bated breath.

“The first two waves I just fought myself, but I never could get up. I got up on the third wave and rolled to the beach itself. At that moment I had that feeling of joy inside me again,” were the first impressions of the surfer after returning to her favorite sport.

Bethany’s victory

Daily training had worked wonders. Hamilton achieved brilliant results. Bethany won a silver medal at the World Youth Surfing Championships and joined the ranks of the strongest athletes on the planet.

“I think that’s what most surfers would do if they were in my shoes. Despite the attack, the fear of losing the opportunity to surf was stronger than the fear of sharks,” Bethany said.

The name of the girl who overcame incredible odds and managed to accomplish a real feat has become a household name. The story of Bethany Hamilton inspired director Sean McNamara to create the movie “Soul Surfer”, which was released in 2011. The main role was played by AnnaSophia Robb.

Bethany and her husband

The happy life of a wife and mom

In 2013, Bethany married surfer and youth pastor Adam Dirks. They had a lavish wedding at an estate on the coast of Kauai to which 300 people were invited. Bethany gave birth to Adam’s three sons, who already from diapers penetrated the alluring smell of the Pacific Ocean. By the way, the young mom, even being pregnant, did not give up surfing.

The most difficult Bethany considers… motherhood and calls the upbringing of sons Tobias, Wesley and Mike a daily struggle.

“Every single day it’s a mental strain just being a full-time mom, wife and friend. Probably the hardest thing in life is maintaining healthy relationships. I’m really thankful for my husband, my boys and my family!” – Hamilton says.

Bethany with her family

Fate rewarded Bethany for her ordeal by allowing her to catch the happiest wave of her life. Victories in the World Tour, where venerable surfers compete, her beloved husband and adored children, a successful business, combined with active charity work.

Occasionally, she finds time to stop by the California Surfing Museum in Oceanside. It houses part of Bethany Hamilton’s board and swimsuit, found in the jaws of a huge tiger shark killed by fishermen that attacked her that ill-fated day.

“When I lost my arm, I was just grateful to be alive and it pushed me to think more positively. I considered and still consider myself lucky. I can’t change what everyone else thinks. Being a mom and a wife is important to me. Also, surfing is important. There is so much to do in life and you can just focus on one small moment,” is what 33-year-old Bethany says.