Bethany Meilani Hamilton born February 8, 1990 is an American professional surfer and author. In 2003, she survived a devastating shark attack that resulted in the loss of her left arm. Despite this life-changing event, she made an inspiring return to professional surfing and shared her journey in the 2004 autobiography Soul Surfer.
Bethany Hamilton Biography 2025
A True Story of Faith, Family, and Fighting to Get Back on the Board. The book was later adapted into the 2011 film Soul Surfer. Hamilton credits her resilience to her strong Christian faith. In addition to her surfing career, Hamilton was featured in the 2018 documentary Bethany Hamilton: Unstoppable, where she explores how marriage and motherhood have influenced her career in professional surfing.
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Bethany Hamilton Biography Details
Born
Bethany Meilani Hamilton
February 8, 1990 (age 34)
Lihue, Hawaii, U.S.
Spouse
Adam Dirks
(m. 2013)
Children
4
Residence
Kauai, Hawaii, U.S.
Height
5 ft 11 in (180 cm)
Weight
154 lb (70 kg)
Bethany Hamilton Early Life
Hamilton was born on February 8, 1990, in Lihue, Hawaii, to Tom and Cheri Hamilton. She has two older brothers, Noah and Timothy. Having learned to surf at the age of three, Hamilton started competing at just eight years old and secured her first sponsorship by the age of 10. She was home-schooled from sixth grade through high school by her mother, a stay-at-home mom, while her father worked as a waiter at a local café.
Bethany Hamilton Bio
Birth Name
Bethany Meilani Hamilton
Birth Date
February 8, 1990
Birthplace
Lihue, Hawaii, U.S.
Parents
Tom Hamilton (father), Cheri Hamilton (mother)
Siblings
Two older brothers, Noah and Timothy
Surfing Start
Started surfing at age 3
First Sponsorship
Age 10
Schooling
Home-schooled by her mother
Shark Attack and Recovery
Date of Attack
October 31, 2003
Location
Tunnels Beach, Kauai, Hawaii
Shark Type
14-foot tiger shark
Injury
Left arm bitten off below the shoulder
Immediate Actions
Father and friend helped paddle her back to shore
Hospital
Wilcox Medical Center, Kauai
Blood Loss
Over 60% of her blood lost
Recovery
Surfed again 26 days later, in November 2003
Media Appearances
Year
Media Appearance
2004
ESPY Awards (Best Comeback Athlete)
2004
MTV’s True Life: I’m a Shark Attack Survivor
2004
Soul Surfer autobiography released
2009
Contestant on Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader?
2011
Soul Surfer movie released
2013
Extreme Makeover: Home Edition
2014
The Amazing Race (finished 3rd)
2018
Bethany Hamilton: Unstoppable documentary
Books by Bethany Hamilton
Book Title
Publication Year
Soul Surfer: A True Story of Faith, Family, and Fighting to Get Back on the Board
2004
Devotions for the Soul Surfer
2006 (reprinted 2011)
Rise Above: A 90-day Devotional
2007
Ask Bethany: FAQs: Surfing, Faith, and Friends
2007
Raising a Soul Surfer
2011
Body and Soul: A Girl’s Guide to a Fit, Fun, and Fabulous Life
2014
Be Unstoppable: The Art of Never Giving Up
2018
Unstoppable Me
2018
Surfing Past Fear
2022
Bethany Hamilton Career Achievements
Year
Event
Achievement
1998
Rell Sunn Menehune
1st Place
2002
NSSA Open Women’s Division
1st Place
2004
NSSA National Championship
1st Place
2005
NSSA National Championship
1st Place
2008
ASP World Junior Championships
2nd Place
2016
Fiji Women’s Pro
3rd Place
2017
Outerknown Fiji Women’s Pro
9th Place
2018
Surf Ranch Pro
13th Place
Personal Life
Spouse
Adam Dirks
Marriage Year
2013
Children
4 (3 sons, 1 daughter)
Residence
Kauai, Hawaii
Faith
Christian
Bethany Hamilton Outreach Programs
Program Name
Target Group
Beautifully Flawed
Young women ages 14–25 who have experienced traumatic limb loss
Shine Forth
Community event sharing comeback stories
Anchored in Love
Girls and young women ages 12+ discovering beauty, purpose, and worth
The Forge
Men’s retreat for amputees focusing on faith, fitness, and healthy living
Competitive Surfing Career
Event
Year
Place
NSSA National Championship
2004
1st Place
Roxy Pro Surf Festival
2008
3rd Place
US Open of Surfing
2008
5th Place
Rip Curl Women’s Pro Bells Beach
2011
13th Place
Rip Curl Women’s Pro Portugal
2010
9th Place
Surf ‘n’ Sea Pipeline Women’s Pro
2014
1st Place
Swatch Women’s Pro
2015
13th Place
Fiji Women’s Pro
2016
3rd Place
Films Featuring Bethany Hamilton
Film Title
Year
Role/Appearance
Soul Surfer
2011
Played by AnnaSophia Robb
Dolphin Tale 2
2014
Played herself
Bethany Hamilton: Unstoppable
2018
Featured in documentary
Media Highlights
Year
Show/Event
2004
The Oprah Winfrey Show
2004
The Ellen DeGeneres Show
2011
19 Kids and Counting
2014
The Amazing Race
2025
The Masked Singer
Bethany Hamilton Sponsorships and Brand Endorsements
Brand
Year Sponsored
Rip Curl
Ongoing
Tunnels Beach
2003
Swatch
2015
Charity Work
Foundation Name
Focus
Friends of Bethany
Outreach to amputees and youth
Beautifully Flawed
Amputee-focused surf lessons and wellness retreats
Shine Forth
Motivational events and book signings
Bethany Hamilton Faith
Aspect of Faith
Details
Christian Beliefs
Strong connection to faith, attributes recovery to Jesus Christ
Public Faith Sharing
Frequently shares her faith story in interviews and documentaries
I Am Second Video
Released in 2011, focused on her Christian testimony
Bethany Hamilton Career Challenges
Challenge
Details
Shark Attack
Lost her left arm but continued professional surfing
Media Attention
Faced intense media scrutiny following the shark attack
Public Speaking
Overcame shyness to become a motivational speaker
Controversy Regarding Transgender Athletes
Issue
Details
Boycott WSL
Announced boycott of World Surf League due to transgender policy
Concerns
Believes transgender women have an unfair
Bethany Hamilton Net Worth
Bethany Hamilton has a net worth of somewhere near $2million.
Bethany Hamilton Summary
Bethany Hamilton is a professional surfer who gained global recognition after surviving a shark attack in 2003, which resulted in the loss of her left arm. Despite the traumatic injury, she returned to surfing just weeks later, becoming an inspiration for resilience and faith. Hamilton authored the memoir Soul Surfer, which was adapted into a movie, and has participated in various media appearances. She has also launched outreach programs to support amputees and youth, and continues to compete professionally. In addition to her career, Hamilton is a dedicated Christian, wife, and mother of four.
