The Attack...
On October 31st, 2003, at the age of thirteen, Bethany was surfing with her best friend, Alana, along with Alana’s dad and brother off Kauai’s North Shore. Just like any other day they spent in the water, the waves were carrying them as they tried to spot a good wave to catch. But then, out of nowhere a 14-foot tiger shark came up, attacked Bethany and left her with a severed left arm. Within a couple seconds after the attack they started paddling in. As soon as they hit land, the ambulance and Bethany’s dad were there. Bethany was then put into the ambulance and rushed to the hospital as her dad followed. By the time Bethany arrived at the hospital she had lost 60% of her blood and luckily was still alive, but she had to have several surgeries to make everything sustainable again.
- Click here to watch Bethany Hamilton tell her story.
*The picture to the left is a picture of Bethany Hamilton in the hospital after the attack.