Share

Multi Sport

7 Inspirational Action Sports Athletes That Have Overcome Disabilites

It just goes to show, nothing should stop you from achieving your goals

If your arm was bitten off by a shark while surfing, the chances are you wouldn’t be getting back in the water any time soon.

Not Bethany Hamilton. In 2003, she was out surfing with her friend Alana Blanchard when she was attacked by a 15ft tiger shark. Luckily she survived but lost her left arm.

Not surfing after the accident just wasn’t an option in Bethany’s mind. Only a month later, she was back on a new custom made board with a handle to help her paddle.

She went on to compete in the major NSSA comps before coming 3rd in the 2008 Roxy Pro, 2nd in the ASP Junior World Champs 2009 and 1st in Surf n Sea Pipeline Womens Pro earlier this year.

Now, there’s a Hollywood film made about Bethany’s accident and her inspirational journey to recovery called Soul Surfer, starring Dennis Quaid and Helen Hunt.

Newsletter Terms & Conditions

Please enter your email so we can keep you updated with news, features and the latest offers. If you are not interested you can unsubscribe at any time. We will never sell your data and you'll only get messages from us and our partners whose products and services we think you'll enjoy.

Read our full Privacy Policy as well as Terms & Conditions.

production