Bethany Hamilton Doing What She Does Best: Soul Surfing! She Shared on Finding Your Passion at an Exclusive Bay Area Event

Leah Marieann Klett : Oct 29, 2015
Gospel Herald

"I've seen surfers in my hometown get caught up in drugs and make poor decisions that eventually led them away from their passion and talent to surf, whereas I had my grounding in Jesus Christ, and that kept me close to Him and helped me make healthy decisions growing up... I knew of God's promises for my life, so I held tight to that instead of something that might have led me away from my talent."

Professional surfer Bethany Hamilton shared her incredible story of hope and inspiration before a crowd gathered at Abundant Life Christian Fellowship in Mountain View, CA, reminding attendees that God is faithful even in the darkest of times. (Photo: Hudson Tsuei/The Gospel Herald)

At the special one-day event, which culminated her 2015 tour, the 25-year-old Hawaii native and Soul Surfer author revealed that despite losing her arm in a horrific shark attack in 2003, her passion for surfing has not diminished.

"When I go surfing now I feel like anyone else in the water," she said when asked if she feels anxious while riding the waves. "I'm just out there enjoying the ocean and trying to catch my next wave. I'm thankful that I've been able to let that fear go and overcome it. I think... my passion and love for surfing outweighed my fear of sharks. I don't think anyone should [have that fear], because it's not a normal occurrence to have shark problems."

Today, Hamilton is a world-class surfing champion and has some television and film appearances, including competing as a contestant in season 25 of The Amazing Race and playing herself in the feature film Dolphin Tale 2. In July, she and her husband, Adam Dirks, welcomed their first child, Tobias, into the world, and she is currently working on her second film, Surf Like a Girl.

When asked what advice she would give to young people seeking to pursue their passion, she said, "I think it's important that you have passion and something that you love to do and to keep striving after that. There are some awesome ways to find those passions, by trying new things and challenging yourself to step outside of your comfort zone... you never know, you might find something..."

Continue reading here.