Shark Attack!
By Beth Thomas
Have you ever heard of Bethany Hamilton? She grew up in Hawaii, where the water is warm and the waves are perfect for surfing. She loved the ocean! From the time she was little, Bethany spent almost every day in the sea. Surfing made her feel strong and free.
When Bethany was 13 years old, she went surfing early one morning with her best friend and her friend’s family. The sun was just rising, and the ocean looked calm and peaceful. They paddled out on their boards, laughing and waiting for the perfect wave.
Bethany lay on her surfboard, her left arm dangling in the water. Suddenly she felt something brush against her. Before she could react, a large tiger shark attacked. In just a moment everything changed.
The shark grabbed her arm, and the water around her turned red. Her friends acted quickly. She managed to stay on her surfboard and her friends rushed her back to shore. Then she was taken to the hospital, where doctors worked hard to save her life. It was a frightening experience—but Bethany survived.
Bethany gave her heart to Jesus when she was just five years old. “My faith in Christ grew with my ability to surf,” Bethany said. [I went] to a lot of Bible studies [as a child] and I knew I wanted to serve God with my whole life and give everything I do to Him. . . . [I knew] I wanted to glorify God through my surfing.”
Bethany and her mom began to pray how she might be a light for her faith through her surfing. A week later, the attack happened.
After the attack, many people wondered if Bethany would ever return to the ocean. Some thought she might be too afraid. Others thought surfing would be too difficult with only one arm. But Bethany was brave. She decided she would not give up. Just three weeks after her surgery, Bethany went back into the water.
It wasn’t easy! She had to relearn how to paddle, how to balance, and how to stand on her board. She fell many times, but each time, she got back up. Little by little she improved, and before long Bethany was riding waves again.
Bethany didn’t let fear stop her. She chose courage instead. Her story reminds us that even when something scary or difficult happens, we can keep going. You’re starting a new school year! There will be lots of opportunities to make courageous decisions. Don’t let fear keep you from doing something brave—such as being a friend to someone who is lonely or standing up for what is right, even when others choose not to.
It’s important to note that most of the time sharks are not trying to hurt people. They are simply looking for food and may mistake a surfer or swimmer for a fish. Shark attacks are rare, and millions of people swim safely in the ocean every year. If you ever swim in the ocean, here are some smart tips:
Stay close to others—don’t swim alone.
Avoid swimming early in the morning or late in the evening.
Don’t wear shiny things that might look like fish.
Always listen to lifeguards and warning signs.
You can watch Bethany surf before her accident and afterwards as well as listen to her testimony by watching a seven-minute documentary of Bethany telling her story.