Bethany Hamilton, or anyone else, could not have imagined a lifequite like this.
A happy beach girl and well-regarded amateur surfing competitorgrowing up, Hamilton’s world changed forever on Oct. 31, 2003, atage 13, when she suffered a nearly unimaginable surfingaccident.
While surfing off the coast of Kauai, Hawaii, with family andfriends, Hamilton’s arm was ripped off by a shark.
She barely survived the attack.
Now 21, Hamilton has become an inspiration worldwide.
She still competes in surf events, even as she travels the worldspreading her message of hope and encouragement.
Hamilton appears at 2:30 p.m. Saturday at the La Paloma Theatrein Encinitas for a special advance screening of the new film “SoulSurfer,” based on her life.
“It has been an incredible experience, traveling the world andtalking to people,” Hamilton said in a telephone interview fromKauai. “For me, it’s the opportunity to do what I love best,talking to people about surfing and life. I love to go out andcompete. I still have a passion for surfing. It’s definitely niceto be able to travel and encourage others, especially youngerpeople working to overcome challenges in their lives.”
Throughout, using her natural optimism and spiritual faith,Hamilton has maintained a positive attitude and considers herexperience part of life’s journey.
“For most people, the idea of a shark attack is such an awfulthing,” Hamilton said. “I’m just grateful to be alive, and gratefulthat I’m still surfing.
“Everything that has happened to me since the accident is morethan I could have dreamed of,” she said. “I tell people it’simportant to remember that when stuff goes wrong, there can be goodthings that happen from that.”
One of the good things, Hamilton said, is a film based on herlife and experience.
“Soul Surfer” stars Anna Sophia Robb as Hamilton, and co-starsHelen Hunt, Carrie Underwood and Dennis Quaid.
The film opens April 8 in theaters.
“My family and I were around for most of the filming, and I dida lot of the stunt surfing in the film,” Hamilton said. “I wantedto do that, to show people I could still surf. It was a strangesort of experience, reliving what happened that way, but it was allvery positive. We couldn’t have been happier with the way it turnedout.”
Hamilton has won surfing and courage awards, and was honored forher bravery by the Teen Choice Awards.
She wrote the book “Soul Surfer: A True Story of Faith, Family,and Fighting to Get Back on the Board.”
A few years ago, Hamilton and her family started theorganization Family and Friends of Bethany Hamilton.
“We reach out to amputees, shark attack victims and anyone whocontacts us,” Hamilton said. “We try to send them a book or givethem a call. We’re excited to see where that goes in thefuture.”
Hamilton’s mother and late grandfather lived in San Diego formany years, and Hamilton says she has surfed the area’s waters afew times.
She won’t have time to surf North County beaches during herbrief stop here, she said, but enjoys such outings, because shetries to live as close to a normal life as possible.
“Of course, I’m not sure it’s that normal,” Hamilton said with alaugh. “Most people my age are going to college, but I’m outtraveling the world and meeting people. When I get home, though, Ilike to hang out with my friends and do girlie stuff.”
Hamilton says she will continue touring the world, andsurfing.
“I’m still getting better at it,” she said. “Someday I’ll tryother things, do more public speaking and help spread the word onhow we can make our bodies healthier. I’ll always go back to thewater, though. That’s where I’m happy and comfortable.”
Tickets for “Soul Surfer” cost $10 and are available at www.soulsurfer.kintera.org and at the door, withproceeds benefiting the Challenged Athletes Foundation.
