Categories:
Surfer Bethany Hamilton Pursues her Passion Against All Odds
Kauai, HI, USA
Bethany Hamilton BiographyBethany Hamilton has become a source of inspiration to millions through her story of faith, determination, health, and hope. Born into a family of surfers on February 8, 1990, on the island of Kauai, Hawaii, Bethany began surfing at a young age. At the age of eight, Bethany entered her first surf competition, the Rell Sun Menehune event on Oahu, where she won both the short and long board divisions. This sparked a love for surf competition within her spirit.
At the age of 13, on October 31, 2003, Bethany was attacked by a 14-foot tiger shark while surfing off Kauai's North Shore. The attack left Bethany with a severed left arm. After losing over 60 percent of her blood, and making it through several surgeries without infection, Bethany was on her way to recovery with an unbelievably positive attitude. Lifeguards and doctors believe her strong water sense and faith in God helped get her through the traumatic ordeal.
Miraculously, just one month after the attack, Bethany returned to the water to continue pursuing her goal to become a professional surfer. In January of 2004, Bethany made her return to surf competition; placing 5th in the Open Women's division of that contest. With no intention of stopping, Bethany continued to enter and excel in competition.
Just over a year after the attack she took first place in the Explorer Women's division of the 2005 NSSA National Championships winning her first National Title.
In 2007, Bethany realized her dream and turned pro. Bethany has since participated in numerous ASP and World Tour Events with her major highlight being a second place finish in the ASP 2009 World Junior Championships.
Since losing her arm, Bethany's story has been told in hundreds of media outlets and she has been recognized with numerous awards, public appearances, and various speaking engagements.
In October 2004, Bethany shared her life story in her autobiography entitled Soul Surfer. Seven years later, the book was made into a major motion picture bearing the same title which released theatrically in April, and for home entertainment in August 2011. Other books Bethany has written include Devotions for the Soul Surfer, Rise Above, A Soul Surfer Bible, Ask Bethany, and Clash, Burned, Storm, and Crunch. Further, Bethany was the inspiration behind Becky Baumgartner's 2007 documentary entitled Heart of a Soul Surfer and voiced an animated character based off herself in the film Dolphin Tale 2.
From a young age, Bethany's parents instilled their faith in Jesus Christ; and at age five, she made the decision to have a personal relationship with Him. Bethany's foundation of faith has been her backbone; her source of truth, hope, and strength.
Out of the water, Bethany has grown from a young teenage girl with aspirations of becoming a professional surfer into a 20-year old professional surfer with aspirations of becoming a beacon of inspiration and hope. Through the platform of professional sport, Bethany has been able to touch a large number of people with her message, charitable efforts, and overall spirit. Bethany just launched her own foundation, Friends of Bethany, which supports shark attack survivors, traumatic amputees, and serves to inspire others through her life story, and is involved in numerous other charitable efforts.
Bethany's story is continually growing as she strives to be the best at whatever God calls her to do. The future is truly wide open for this young soul surfer!
Contact a speaker booking agent to check availability on Bethany Hamilton and other top speakers and celebrities.
-
Soul Surfer Devotions
Ask Bethany: FAQs: Surfing, Faith and Friends (Soul Surfer Series)
Rise Above: A 90-Day Devotional (Soul Surfer Series)
Soul Surfer: A True Story of Faith, Family, and Fighting to Get Back on the Board
In Bethany Hamilton’s mind, winning the ESPY award for best female athlete with a disability would have been like “rewinding back to square one”.
One-armed surfer Bethany Hamilton finished a career-best third in the World Surf League's Fiji Women's Pro. The 26-year-old's left arm was bitten off in a shark attack in 2003.
Her story riveted the nation and now Bethany Hamilton is coming to the Jersey Shore to spread a message of hope.
Users also viewed these speakers:This website is a resource for event professionals and strives to provide the most comprehensive catalog of thought leaders and industry experts to consider for speaking engagements. A listing or profile on this website does not imply an agency affiliation or endorsement by the talent.
All American Entertainment (AAE) exclusively represents the interests of talent buyers, and does not claim to be the agency or management for any speaker or artist on this site. AAE is a talent booking agency for paid events only. We do not handle requests for donation of time or media requests for interviews, and cannot provide celebrity contact information.
If you are the talent, and wish to request removal from this catalog or report an issue with your profile, please click here.
Bethany Hamilton has become a source of inspiration to millions through her story of faith, determination, health, and hope. Born into a family of surfers on February 8, 1990, on the island of Kauai, Hawaii, Bethany began surfing at a young age. At the age of eight, Bethany entered her first surf competition, the Rell Sun Menehune event on Oahu, where she won both the short and long board divisions. This sparked a love for surf competition within her spirit.
At the age of 13, on October 31, 2003, Bethany was attacked by a 14-foot tiger shark while surfing off Kauai's North Shore. The attack left Bethany with a severed left arm. After losing over 60 percent of her blood, and making it through several surgeries without infection, Bethany was on her way to recovery with an unbelievably positive attitude. Lifeguards and doctors believe her strong water sense and faith in God helped get her through the traumatic ordeal.
Miraculously, just one month after the attack, Bethany returned to the water to continue pursuing her goal to become a professional surfer. In January of 2004, Bethany made her return to surf competition; placing 5th in the Open Women's division of that contest. With no intention of stopping, Bethany continued to enter and excel in competition.
Just over a year after the attack she took first place in the Explorer Women's division of the 2005 NSSA National Championships winning her first National Title.
In 2007, Bethany realized her dream and turned pro. Bethany has since participated in numerous ASP and World Tour Events with her major highlight being a second place finish in the ASP 2009 World Junior Championships.
Since losing her arm, Bethany's story has been told in hundreds of media outlets and she has been recognized with numerous awards, public appearances, and various speaking engagements.
In October 2004, Bethany shared her life story in her autobiography entitled Soul Surfer. Seven years later, the book was made into a major motion picture bearing the same title which released theatrically in April, and for home entertainment in August 2011. Other books Bethany has written include Devotions for the Soul Surfer, Rise Above, A Soul Surfer Bible, Ask Bethany, and Clash, Burned, Storm, and Crunch. Further, Bethany was the inspiration behind Becky Baumgartner's 2007 documentary entitled Heart of a Soul Surfer and voiced an animated character based off herself in the film Dolphin Tale 2.
From a young age, Bethany's parents instilled their faith in Jesus Christ; and at age five, she made the decision to have a personal relationship with Him. Bethany's foundation of faith has been her backbone; her source of truth, hope, and strength.
Out of the water, Bethany has grown from a young teenage girl with aspirations of becoming a professional surfer into a 20-year old professional surfer with aspirations of becoming a beacon of inspiration and hope. Through the platform of professional sport, Bethany has been able to touch a large number of people with her message, charitable efforts, and overall spirit. Bethany just launched her own foundation, Friends of Bethany, which supports shark attack survivors, traumatic amputees, and serves to inspire others through her life story, and is involved in numerous other charitable efforts.
Bethany's story is continually growing as she strives to be the best at whatever God calls her to do. The future is truly wide open for this young soul surfer!
Contact a speaker booking agent to check availability on Bethany Hamilton and other top speakers and celebrities.
Bethany Hamilton is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics . The estimated speaking fee range to book Bethany Hamilton for your event is $30,000 - $50,000. Bethany Hamilton generally travels from Kauai, HI, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are J.R. Martinez, Shannon Miller, Amy Purdy, Shawn Johnson and Dave Dravecky. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Bethany Hamilton for an upcoming event.
In Bethany Hamilton’s mind, winning the ESPY award for best female athlete with a disability would have been like “rewinding back to square one”.
One-armed surfer Bethany Hamilton finished a career-best third in the World Surf League's Fiji Women's Pro. The 26-year-old's left arm was bitten off in a shark attack in 2003.
Her story riveted the nation and now Bethany Hamilton is coming to the Jersey Shore to spread a message of hope.
We are happy to help! Call us to speak with a booking agent about your event or specific speaker request.
Gauge interest and check availability for speaking engagements, appearances or corporate events
Provide you with the speaking fee to book Bethany Hamilton or other celebrity appearance fees
Give you personal recommendations for the best keynote speakers or celebrities
Assist you with any questions you have throughout the talent booking process
This website is a resource for event professionals and strives to provide the most comprehensive catalog of thought leaders and industry experts to consider for speaking engagements. A listing or profile on this website does not imply an agency affiliation or endorsement by the talent.
All American Entertainment (AAE) exclusively represents the interests of talent buyers, and does not claim to be the agency or management for any speaker or artist on this site. AAE is a talent booking agency for paid events only. We do not handle requests for donation of time or media requests for interviews, and cannot provide celebrity contact information.
If you are the talent, and wish to request removal from this catalog or report an issue with your profile, please click here.
1.800.698.2536