Surfer Who Lost an Arm Due to Shark Attack Is Doing the Unthinkable in Life

The dangers in specific sports have the potential to hinder one’s entire life. Moreover, surfing is one of those that poses a relatively higher degree of such risks. Moreover, surfers’ life-altering events most likely jeopardize their careers for the rest of their lives. However, rising above it and accomplishing their dreams regardless seems almost impossible. It was the same case with Bethany Hamilton.

Pro surfer Bethany Hamilton hailing from Hawaii got the better part of her life after a deadly incident at just 13 years old. In 2003, she was attacked by a shark while surfing and lost her arm in the process. Let’s find out how she conquered her dreams, despite her loss. 

Bethany Hamilton: an extraordinary surfer 

According to a 2019 article by CNN, the 32-year-old athlete lost her arm due to a shark attack while surfing in the Kauai county of Hawaii. Reportedly, she was only 13 and lost a huge amount of blood in the incident. Thus, her dream of being a professional surfer was inherently threatened. 

However, Hamilton’s drive to achieve her goals helped her overcome all the obstacles in her way. “Looking in hindsight, I see all the beauty and good that’s come from the loss of my arm that I wouldn’t change life to be how I think it should be, but rather just embracing life as it is,” she revealed. Moreover, her distinctive journey and perspective on life inspired her very own documentary, Bethany Hamilton: Unstoppable.

Read More: Brutal Accident Proved Fatal for Young Bodyboarding Surfer Even Though He “Wasn’t Surfing the Main Peak”

Strikingly, she retreated to surfing in less than a month after her loss. Fast forward to the present, she is a national champ in addition to being a pioneer in the sport. She aced the under-18 National Scholastic Surfing Association National Championship, embarked on her World Tour in 2009, eventually overpowering 6x world champion, Stephanie Gilmore, in 2016. Additionally, she also beat the then top surfer, Tyler Wright, at the Fiji Women’s Pro. However, a common question that arises in everyone’s mind is, how does she accomplish all that? 

Hamilton opened up about her passion

Talking about her inspiration, Hamilton opened up about her trust in God, precisely during her tough times. She said, ‘hey God, I don’t know why I lost my arm but I’m going to trust you and know that good can come from this situation.” Unlike most, she decided to face her fear of sharks even after her dreadful experience.

“I guess my passion for surfing outweighed my fear of sharks, and I was just waiting until the doctor said I had the OK to get in the ocean,” Hamilton disclosed. She emphasized on the significance of the right mentality and approach, while surmounting the challenges. “This is what I dreamed of, and the loss of my arm didn’t stop that dream,” the Hawaiian surfer admitted.

A one-armed pro surfer and mother of two, Hamilton is determined to “live an unstoppable life” while on her exceptional athletic journey. She also feels humbled to be a phenom role model for all those looking up to her. Are you inspired by her incredible mindset? Let us know. 

Watch This Story: Kelly Slater’s IG following Shows He Still Follows Supermodel Ex Girlfriend Gisele Bundchen As Well As Former Hubby Tom Brady