Inspiring Story Of Shark Attack Victim Told In "Soul Surfer"
MIAMI (CBS4) -- Some actors might be intimidated by having the real-life person they're playing in a movie be on set watching them film scenes, but not AnnaSophia Robb. She became friends with Bethany Hamilton, the champion surfer whose arm was bitten off by a shark. The movie "Soul Surfer", starring Robb, is the inspiring true story of Bethany.
Bethany was only 13 when a 14-foot tiger shark attacked her in the Hawaiian surf. Bethany, now 21, has become a source of inspiration to millions through her story of determination, faith and hope.
After the attack, Bethany lost more than 60-percent of her blood and underwent several surgeries. The attack seemed to end her career as a rising surf star. But Bethany never gave up. She began her recovery with an unbelievably positive attitude. Miraculously, just one month after the attack, Bethany returned to the water.
"I started surfing again and I got up on my third wave, I had this overwhelming joy come over me and tears of excitement," explained Bethany to CBS4's Lisa Petrillo. She also explained the fears of returning to the water. "I mean, yeah, there were definitely times when I had to overcome that fear but for me, my main fear, was I able to do it, to surf? Now it hardly ever crosses my mind."
Two months later, Bethany placed fifth in the Open Women's division surf competition and just over a year after the attack she won her first National Title.
In 2007, Bethany realized her dream and turned pro. Bethany has since participated in numerous Association of Surfing Professionals and World Tour Events with her major highlight being a second place finish in the ASP 2009 World Junior Championships.
The story of "Soul Surfer" began as a book written by Bethany. Now it's a major motion picture starring Dennis Quaid, Helen Hunt and AnnaSophia Robb, who plays Bethany, an actress who wasn't too familiar with the water. Bethany said she and her coach taught AnnaSophia how to surf and they really got to know each other during all that training.
Bethany is in the movie too. She did all of the one-armed surf scenes and credits her strong faith in God and the support and love from her family of getting her through that difficult time.
"Soul Surfer" opens Friday, April 8th.
