How Could You Not Adore Bethany Hamilton?

I’ve never formally met Bethany Hamilton. Last year, at Rocky Point during the inundated North Shore December, we exchanged niceties in the water – a simple hello, smiles, brief introduction and not much more (it’d be no surprise if she has no recollection). In the short time, she was sweet and bubbly. It was a consistent overhead day off the southern side of the rock shelf and Beth always seemed to be in the right spot. While battling it out with the world’s best on a healthy day at Rocky Rights can prove tiresome; watching Miss Hamilton navigate it successfully sans arm was mesmerising. She was taking off deep, finding slots and coming out with big carving wraps. It was beautiful, inspirational and sobering. It held a similar merit to when we were sent a video of her towing into Jaws last winter; that old never let anything hold you back mantra. So here’s the most revered female surfer in the world along with Lakey Peterson at Pasta Point in the Maldives. Watch for the electricity in Beth’s forehand approach; it’s that calibre of surfing that led her to a third place finish at the Fiji Women’s Pro last season and keeps her a consistent wildcard on the Women’s Circuit Tour.