Teen Surfer Who Lost Arm In Shark Attack Places 5th In Competition

[KittyWampus]

I saw this story in Newsday and felt it was inspiring. I used to surf back in the day :)
Tuesday, January 13, 2004 Posted: 9:12 PM EST (0212 GMT)

CHICAGO, Illinois (CNN) -- Teen surfer Bethany Hamilton returned to competition Saturday, just 10 weeks after losing her left arm in a shark attack.

Hamilton, 13, placed fifth in her age group in the Open Women Division of a National Scholastic Surfing Association meet at Bayans, Hawaii.

COOPER: Congratulations on doing fifth. How do you feel about how you did?
HAMILTON: I was definitely stoked, becausemy original goal was not to get last in my first heat. And actually, I just kept on making it all the way to the final, so I was really happy.

COOPER: What's different, I mean, surfing now compared to the way you were surfing before?
HAMILTON: Paddling is a lot harder, because you have half as much speed as before. And then taking off is probably the hardest thing after the incident. And I am definitely going to need some work on that.

COOPER: The people who were running the contest said they were willing to kind of put you in a special category, give you some
breaks. But you told them no, you wanted to be treated just like everybody else. Why?
HAMILTON: Well, OK. This is what happened. There were two divisions. I finished the first division. And then right when I came in, I had to go back out. They said, "Oh, we can change it so you have, like, a half-hour break." And I just felt that I just shouldn't get any special treatment, because I'd rather just be normal and just go out and do my best.

http://www.cnn.com/2004/US/01/13/cnna.hamilton/

[windansea]

1. right on bethany

what a cool and brave girl

I have surfed where she got attacked...North Shore of Kaui

near a spot called Tunnels

takes a lot of heart to go back in the water after having your arm chomped off

you go girl!!!

[KittyWampus]

3. On A SHORT BOARD

Yow!

[Leilani]

9. Because you know surfing:

We've had huge swells this week on Kaui & Oahu.

North Shore had 25+ this week...

Tomorrow could be the biggest day; earlier predictions were 40+

They're hoping to hold Eddie tournie at Waimea.

[windansea]

22. wooooooooooo

nice...the Eddie is an awesome event

we're getting the same swell here in SD...but it's only about 4-6 here...

wish I could be there!! I'm sure they will tape it for TV

[windansea]

23. one more thing

anybody that's ever surfed knows it's not an easy sport, and this girl was on her war to possible stardom

I don't know if the has a prosthetic arm yet but if she's catching waves and standing up with one arm...well that is pretty incredible

my hat is off to Bethany...

[kentuck]

2. She's an absolute darling !

So brave and courageous.

[bigwillq]

4. Great story

Good for her. We need more inspirtational stories like that especially at a time when war and other crimes seem to always land on the front page.

[callous taoboy]

5. I love this chick!

What a fighter.

[DrWeird]

6. I couldn't give less of a shit.

But the minor details of the on-going Scott Peterson and Michael Jackson cases have me absolutely rivetted to the screen!

[KittyWampus]

8. I Have To Say This Comment Has Me Scratching My Head

is it really that hard to appreciate someone else's triumph over adversity?

Or is it that the only NEWS some want to talk or hear about has to be about Democrats gouging each others eyes out or Junior and his Flying Monkeys creating havoc around the globe?

Sigh.

[JohnLocke]

17. It's sarcasm <duh>.

[soleft]

7. I wish they could bottle whatever it is she has

[Must_B_Free]

11. You mean Jesus?

she is a big time JF, and was saying that she was glad she lost her arm because now she can tell the whole world about God...

[theboss]

12. If that's what helps her, great

Like Sinatra said, I'm for whatever gets you through the night be it prayer, tranquilizers, or a bottle of Jack Daniels. If faith in God helps her go from nearly dying on Halloween to placing strongly in a competition in January, well, God bless her.

[Superfly]

13. Agreed 150%

We need more people of conviction in our country.

[Must_B_Free]

16. We have plenty

why do you think so many people support GWB and his crusade against Islam?

[Superfly]

18. Yuck yuck yuck...

That was very clever.

[theboss]

20. I see your point. . .the shark should have eaten her

Maybe we can get lions for the rest of the Christians.

[KittyWampus]

14. I Scanned A Bunch Of Articles AND NEVER READ THAT

Got a link?

Actually, I think some religious group may have elected her "inspirational person of the year"

But nowheres in any article did I see ANYTHING like that.

[Must_B_Free]

15. You seem to be suggesting that I made it up.

"She told one of her friends that she's glad this happened to her, 'because now I can tell the whole world about God.'"

5th paragraph

http://starbulletin.com/2003/11/01/news/story1.html

also here:
http://www.mcjonline.com/news/03a/20031106c.shtml

[KittyWampus]

21. Thanks, Here's More On Her Faith:

Bethany, who was in stable condition after a second surgery Monday,
reportedly told one of her friends that she's glad this happened to her
"because now I can tell the whole world about God," reported "The Honolulu
Star-Bulletin." After her hospitalization, one of Bethany's first messages on
her Web site included a Bible reference.

She wrote: "This message is a paraphrase from Jeremiah 29:11, 'For I know
the thoughts I think towards Bethany, says the Lord. Thoughts of peace and
not of evil to give her a future and a hope.'"

Bethany, her parents and two older brothers attend North Shore Christian
Church in Haleiwa, Hawaii. "The Hamiltons thank Jesus Christ for preserving
Bethany's life and they ask for everyone's prayers," said Bethany's family,
who are active at North Shore, the AP reported.

[theboss]

19. I never saw that

I did see where she said that she wasn't afraid because she thinks God has a plan for her and that doesn't include getting attacked twice.

[Superfly]

10. I only wish I was 13 again

and I lived in Hawaii.

[MrSlayer]

24. Good for her.

What a great attitude on that kid.