Bethany Hamilton: A Shark Attack Survivor

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“The United States averages just 16 shark attacks each year and slightly less than one shark-attack fatality every two years. Meanwhile, in the Coastal U.S. states alone, lightning kills more than 41 people each year” (Handwerk). Not man people can say that they have been attacked by a shark, or even know someone who has. The story is not the same for Bethany Hamilton. She is a shark attack survivor. When the odds of her surfing again were against her, she proved them wrong.
Bethany Meilani Hamilton was born on February 8, 1990. She lives in Kauai, Hawaii with her parents Thomas and Cherilyn, her two brothers Noah and Timothy, and her dog Ginger. Bethany went to a public school until the fourth grade when her mother pulled her out to home school her. Being homeschooled allowed Bethany time to surf as a career, and it let her travel. She had the same work as an average high school student, but home school allowed her to do her assignments on her time. Bethany’s love for surfing began when she was young. She was taught to surf by her parents at the innocent age of four. Her love for the water sport quickly grew into a passion, and eventually a career. A huge part of Bethany is her faith. Bethany and her family go to North Shore Community Church. Bethany took the huge step of accepting Jesus Christ into her heart to be her personal savior at the age of five. Bethany says, “Doing things with my Christian friends is an important part of my life, because it really is encouraging to have others who, like me, want to be close to God” (Soul Surfer).At age eight, Bethany was entered into her first state wide surfing competition, at that competition, she won both the short and long board divisions. Bethany’s love and amazement for the spo...

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...for other kids who are struggling. She has established a charity for shark attack victims and also turned professional. Bethany is a prime example of how one bad situation does not have to ruin one’s self. Bethany continues to say, “My favorite Bible verse is, ‘Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you. ‘Declares the Lord, ‘Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. (About Me)”

Works Cited

Hamilton, Bethany.”About Me.” www.bethanyhamilton.com ,2010.web.29, Jan,2014.
Hamilton, Bethany. Soul Surfer. New York: Pocket Books, 2004. Print.
“Hanging Tough”. People 60.20 (20033): 64. MAS Ultra-School Edition. web. 29 Jan. 2014.
Handwerk, Brian.”Shark Facts: Attack Stats, Record Swims, More.” nationalgeographic.com.2005.web.13, Feb, 2014.
“The Holy Bible”, New International Version. Grand Rapids: Zondervan House, 1984. Print.

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