Bethany Hamilton is a Hawaii native who began her surfing career at age
11. By age 13, she was an accomplished surfer and well-respected in the
surfing world. She came to national attention after her left arm was
bitten off by a tiger shark on October 31, 2003. She has since made a
full recovery and has returned to surfing. MTV Books published
Hamilton's Book, 'Soul Surfer' from which the major motion picture is
based.
(August 18, 2013) Married her boyfriend of a year Adam Dirks following a 4-month-long engagement.
Has four children with her husband Adam Dirks - Tobias Dirks (b. June 1, 2015), Wesley Phillip Dirks (b. March 27, 2018) , Micah Ward Dirks (b. February 14, 2021), and Alaya Dorothy Dirks (b. June 29, 2023).
Release of her book, "Soul Surfer: A True Story of Faith, Family and Fighting to Get Back on the Board" by Bethany with Sheryl Berk and 'Rick Bundschuh'.
Her first son Tobias was "named after his great grandpa with the name meaning 'the goodness of God'".
Younger Sister of Timothy Hamilton and Noah Hamilton.