revenge of the whale opinion

“A lot of people think of soul surfers as people who just surf to compete. But I think it’s someone who just loves surfing for what it is, never gives up and always sticks with the ocean.” (Turner 1) Bethany Hamilton was a born soul surfer on February 8, 1990, and born on the island of Lihue, Hawaii. Bethany has two older brothers, Noah and Timmy Hamilton. Her parents are both surfers, which is how they met in Hawaii.(“Bethany Hamilton” Gale Database 1) Ever since Bethany was a little kid she’s always wanted to be a Pro Surfer, and her life goal to be one. When the shark attack happened, people thought it would change her perspective on the whole pro surfer “pipe dream”, but instead the attack made her determined to a whole new level. All of the sacrifices, choices, tools that she had to relearn how to do were all important, which made her get even closer to getting on her board. Bethany used all of her new awards, achievements, and wins of surf competitions to inspire people who look up to her as a role model and even people in her same situation. Bethany shows courage in different ways than most people would, which is what makes her stand out.

Bethany’s always wanted to be a pro surfer and she’s made many important decisions and consequential choices to make that dream a reality. She started surfing at a very young age. Instead of going to public school and only getting little time out on the waves, Bethany was homeschooled for her elementary, middle, and high school years so she could get extra time on the waves. She competed in her first surf competition when she was eight. (Hamilton) Bethany expected to win nothing and just have a fun time at her first competition, but instead she won all of her heats and the division championships that she was in. For winning everything that she did she won two brand new surfboards and trophies. Bethany got her first big surf sponsorship at the age of nine which were Ripcurl and Tim Carroll