Bethany Hamilton Hosts Make-A-Wish Surf Camp, Still Anchored In God After Losing Arm To Shark

By Julie Brown Patton

Life is very fast paced now-a-days for pro surfer and mother Bethany Hamilton, yet she urges everyone to focus on what really matters and cherish all they love. The Christian athlete, who lost her left arm in a shark attack in 2003, authored a book "Body and Soul: A Girl's Guide to a Fit, Fun and Fabulous Life" to share her faith beliefs by emphasizing God's love for his children. Having a child of her own now emphasized that connection, and she recently hosted the 3rd annual Make-A-Wish Hawaii Surf Camp for wish kids and their families.

Hamilton said the Surf Camp was amazing. "One wish girl, I was extra proud of, because she overcame her fear of the water and ended up actually surfing waves, though I bet there were a few who overcame ocean fears."

"I love just sitting and talking with the kids and sharing life. I hope all of the families enjoyed their time with our community and in beautiful Hawaii," she said.

One camp participant, 12-year-old Contessa said, "She [Bethany] makes me want to fight my disease so I can live a long life."

Another participant from Missouri, 13-year-old Carlei said, "I wanted to meet someone that went through something tough, but got through it because she was brave. Someone to tell me to stay strong and to uplift me."

Hamilton and husband Adam have a nine-month-old son Tobias. She said is in "full force crawling, eats anything we don't sweep up, stands on his own and likes swimming in the water with us."

She said although she didn't do much filming for her new month "Surfs Like A Girl" lately, they and filmmaker Aaron Lieber have been raising more funds so that they can finish the film. To date, the project has raised $116,671 from 1,453 backers through a Kickstarter crowdsourcing campaign.

Bethany Hamilton surfing
Bethany Hamilton surfing Mike Coots courtesy of Bethany Hamilton

Hawaii has had an amazing surfing season this winter, she confided. "My body smiles at the thought of some of my surf sessions this winter. Awww, so fun!"

She said she's personally enjoying cooking and snuggling with her family, and sharing prayers of thankfulness, prayers over loved ones and prayers over hardship. "These are the moments I cherish. And this, to me, is what makes life awesome."

Locations of Hamilton's upcoming spring speaking tour include the following cities:  Orlando, Fla., Satellite City, Fla., Kalamazoo, Mich., Sioux Falls, S.D., Columbus, Ohio, Columbia, Mo., and Bear, Del. 

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