Bethany Hamilton is an American professional surfer, author, and motivational speaker. She lost her arm to a shark at age 13 and returned to competitive surfing. She was born on February 8, 1990, in Lihue, Kauai, Hawaii, and is 36 years old as of 2026.
Who Is Bethany Hamilton?
Bethany Hamilton is recognized for returning to professional surfing after a 2003 shark attack. Britannica describes her as a surfer, author, and motivational speaker. Her life story was adapted into the 2011 film Soul Surfer.
When and Where Was Bethany Hamilton Born?
Bethany Hamilton was born on February 8, 1990, in Lihue, Kauai, Hawaii. The table below lists key biographical facts about her.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full name | Bethany Meilani Hamilton |
| Birth date | February 8, 1990 |
| Birthplace | Lihue, Kauai, Hawaii |
| Parents | Tom and Cheri Hamilton |
| Siblings | Noah and Timothy |
| Spouse | Adam Dirks |
| Marriage year | 2013 |
| Children | 4 |
| Occupations | Surfer, author, speaker |
What Was Bethany Hamilton’s Childhood Like?
Bethany Hamilton grew up on Kauai in a surfing family. Her parents were both avid surfers who worked at the Kauai Surf Hotel. She was home-schooled from 6th grade through high school.
When Did Bethany Hamilton Start Surfing Professionally?
Bethany Hamilton signed her first major sponsorships at age 9. Her early sponsors were Rip Curl and Tim Carroll Surfboards.
What Happened to Bethany Hamilton in the Shark Attack?
Bethany Hamilton lost her left arm to a tiger shark on October 31, 2003, at age 13. The attack happened at Tunnels Beach while she surfed with her friend Alana Blanchard, and the shark measured about 14 feet. She was rushed to Wilcox Medical Center.
How Did Bethany Hamilton Return to Surfing?
Bethany Hamilton returned to surfing about 1 month after the attack. She now rides a standard shortboard fitted with a small grip near the nose. Her recovery included 3 adjustments:
- Modifying her board with a nose handle.
- Relearning paddling and balance with one arm.
- Resuming competitive events.
What Are Bethany Hamilton’s Career Milestones?
Bethany Hamilton’s career includes 6 major milestones:
- Publishing the memoir Soul Surfer in 2004.
- Winning an ESPY Award in 2004.
- Winning the NSSA National Championship in the Explorer Women’s division in 2005.
- Appearing in the film Soul Surfer in 2011.
- Competing with her husband on season 25 of The Amazing Race, where they finished third.
- Releasing Be Unstoppable and Unstoppable Me in 2018.
What Books and Films Feature Bethany Hamilton?
Bethany Hamilton appears in books, a feature film, and a documentary. The table below lists each work by type and year.
| Title | Type | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Soul Surfer | Memoir | 2004 |
| Soul Surfer | Feature film | 2011 |
| Be Unstoppable: The Art of Never Giving Up | Inspirational book | 2018 |
| Unstoppable Me | Children’s picture book | 2018 |
| Bethany Hamilton: Unstoppable | Documentary | Released after 2018 |
Actress AnnaSophia Robb portrayed Hamilton in Soul Surfer, and Hamilton performed all the one-armed surfing stunts herself. The documentary follows her life from childhood through marriage and parenthood.
Who Is Bethany Hamilton’s Husband and How Many Children Does She Have?
Bethany Hamilton’s husband is Adam Dirks, whom she married in 2013. Dirks is a youth minister. The couple has 4 children. Their sons include Tobias, born in June 2015, and Wesley, born in March 2018.
What Charity Work Does Bethany Hamilton Do?
Bethany Hamilton supports amputees and young people through her foundation, Friends of Bethany. The foundation encourages them to overcome difficulties by offering hope through Jesus Christ. Hamilton attributes her strength to her Christian faith.
What Is Bethany Hamilton’s Legacy?
Bethany Hamilton’s legacy includes her return to professional surfing, 5 major media works, and ongoing public speaking. Her story reaches readers and viewers through the Soul Surfer memoir, the 2011 film, and the Unstoppable documentary. She has shared advice about persevering through personal challenges as a public speaker.
People Also Ask
How old is Bethany Hamilton?
Bethany Hamilton is 36 years old as of October 2026.
Which arm did Bethany Hamilton lose?
Bethany Hamilton lost her left arm in a shark attack.
How old was Bethany Hamilton during the shark attack?
Bethany Hamilton was 13 years old on October 31, 2003.
Who is Bethany Hamilton married to?
Bethany Hamilton is married to Adam Dirks.
Who played Bethany Hamilton in Soul Surfer?
AnnaSophia Robb played Bethany Hamilton in the 2011 film.