Surfing the waves of life

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Anania Tekurio
  • 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. --  Professional surfer Bethany Hamilton met with wounded warriors and shared her story of survival and overcoming the odds with Airmen and their families at the Dakota's Club, sponsored by the 28th Bomb Wing Chaplain Corps, March 31, 2016.

Hamilton was just 13 years old when, while surfing, she lost her left arm to a 14-foot tiger shark, making her dream of becoming a professional surfer seem almost impossible.

"I lost 60 percent of my blood," Hamilton said. "It was a miracle that I survived and I thought my future in surfing was over."

Hamilton recalled meeting Mike Coots while in the hospital and how he had lost his leg and still was able to continue surfing.

"I remember meeting him and being stoked to learn that he could still surf," Hamilton said. "I immediately knew then that I would be able to continue surfing as well."

Hamilton credits her survival, as well as her ability to realize her dream to become a professional surfer, to the support of her family and her strong faith.

"Growing up my parents encouraged and helped to build my foundation of faith," Hamilton said. "I truly believe that was a big part of what got me through the incident."

One month after the attack, Hamilton returned to the water and within two years had won her first national title in surfing.

For the past 13 years, Hamilton has become a source of inspiration by sharing her story to many all over the world - her story has been told in a New York Times best-selling autobiography and in the 2011 film, "Soul Surfer."

"It was very encouraging to hear her story," said Airman 1st Class Alexander Lubbe, 28th Logistics Readiness Squadron vehicle maintenance technician. "I was reminded of our Air Force comprehensive airman fitness pillars and how important the spiritual pillar can be in helping us remain resilient during tough times."

After Hamilton shared her story she was then joined by her husband Adam and their son Tobias to speak about the role faith has played in their relationship and new journey as a family unit.

"Faith is our foundation pillar for our family," Adam said. "It takes teamwork and support to have a good relationship."

In addition to attaining her dream of becoming a professional surfer, despite the one arm, and sharing her story to others, Hamilton has used the incident as an opportunity to launch her own charitable foundations, helping other amputees and youth overcome tribulations by offering hope and strengthened faith.

"Remain hopeful to overcome the hardest of hard times," Hamilton said. "Tough times can be a time to grow in many ways and especially to strengthen faith."