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Bethany is born
On the 8th of febuary 1990, Behtany was born to a christian family. With her two brothers Noah and Timothy, mum Cherilyn Hamilton and dad Thomas Hamilton. -
Bethany learned to surf
From the age of two Bethany was in the water, learning how to swim. This quickly progressed into learning how to surf. Bethany was surfing small waves at the age of five. -
Bethany accepted god
Since birth Bethany had been going to a Christian church on a weekly basis. On her own by the age of three she had accepted Jesus into her heart and began her 'faith journey.' -
Bethany's first surf competition
In 1998 at the age of eight Bethany competed in her first real surf competition the Rell Sunn Menehune Surfing Championships held in Oahu, Hawaii. She came first in both the short and long board divisions. This allowed Bethany to see meaning in her life as a surfer and from the age of 8 she new she wanted to be a surfer as she loved it. -
First major sponsor
In 1999 at the age of nine Bethany was sponsored by Rip Curl and Tim Carroll Surfboards.This allowed her to reach the goals she had set in order to continue on her 'Faith Journey'. -
Bethany started moving up in rankings
In 2000 Bethany started entering more competitions. She started winning more and moving up in rankings. -
NSSA national championships
At the age of 13 Bethany became really focused in surfing and received second at the NSSA national Championships. -
Shark attack
On the 31st of October Bethany went for a morning surf with friends. However not too long into the surf she was brutally attacked by a shark leaving her left arm traumatically amputated at the shoulder. -
ABC news
Bethany's life change drastically when she began doing interviews on tv with ABC news. She started to question her meaning in life and her dream to become a professional surfer. -
Inside Edition
Bethany had an interview on live tv with inside edition. -
Good Morning America
Bethany starred on Good Morning America where she was interviewed about the attack, what her plans were for the future before the attack and what they are now and how she overcome the self-asteem issues that she was facing. -
Surfing again
After Bethany's attack she had low self esteem and didnt believe that she would surf again. But she believed that god had plans for her and that she would overcome it, shortly after the attack she was back in the water, surfing with only a right arm. -
Bestselling book
Best Selling autobiography SOUL SURFER released in 2004 by MTV Pocket Books and Simon & Schuster, Inc;
Bethany created her book to inspire others going through hard times to just keep going and that god has plans for everybody and that whatever you are going through will be over soon. -
Wahine O Ke Kai Award
The Surf Industry Manufacturers Association (SIMA) awarded Bethany a special “Wahine O Ke Kai” Award, which in Hawaiian means “Woman of the Sea.” -
Book Tour
In 2004 Bethany toured Europe, attending Scholastic events too advertise her book and celebrate the success of it. -
Teen Choice Awards
Bethany received the special award for 'Courage' at the MTV Teen Choice Awards, for being courageous and getting back in the water. After recieving this award bethany realised just how couragous she was and how many people look up to her. -
World vision
In 2005 at the age of 15 Bethany visited Thailand with her church and world vision. She helped to bring orphaned children back to the ocean for the first time since the tsunami hit, she also promoted Tourism. -
NSSA national championships
At the age of 15 Bethany won the United States national under-18 surf championships. -
Mexico
At the age of 16 Bethany trevelled to Mexico with her church youth group, doing mission trips and helping out troubled communities in Mexico. -
Roxy Pro
Bethany came 3rd at the Roxy Pro in Australia in 2008 -
World Junior Championships
At 19 Bethany came 2nd place at the World Junior (under 20) Championships in Sydney, Australia. -
Soul Surfer
The movie 'Soul surfer' which is based on Bethany's accident was released on April the 8th. -
Japan
Traveled to Japan to visit tsunami victims with Samaritan’s Purse and Hope Japan. Helping people in troubled places allowed Bethany to realise that her purpose in life was more then surfing. -
Marriage
Bethany got engaged and Married to Adam Dirks. And is now pregnant with. -
Pipeline Pro
Behtany won 1st Place at the Surf N Sea Pipeline Pro
