She returns home, with new resolve to become a champion surfer again. There, she learns God uses all things together for good to those who love Him. She tries surfing again and struggles, but shows some promise.Īfter a dark night of the soul, where she questions God’s verse that says that we can do all things through Him who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13), she decides to go on a mission trip to an area of Thailand hit by a big tsunami. When Bethany leaves the hospital, she finds out life has changed irrevocably. A 14-foot tiger sharp leaps out of the water and eats her arm.Īlana’s father, Holt, played by Kevin Sorbo, and the other members of her family rush Bethany to the hospital. On Halloween Day, Bethany is surfing with her friend, Alana, and Alana’s family near a remote beach. Bethany decides not to go on a mission trip, disappointing Sara Hill, her youth group leader. As a result, a sponsor approaches Alana and Bethany for their surfing career. Bethany wins a surf competition, beating her best friend, Alana, played by Lorraine Nicholson, Jack Nicholson’s daughter, and her fiercest rival, Malia Birch.
The movie opens with wonderful Gospel music, in a very happening, live Christian service in a tent on the beach. Her mother, Cheri, adds some balance to the family. She has two older brothers, Noah and Timothy, who drive her to excel, as does her father, Tom. Her whole family lives to surf and is very competitive. She’s surfed since early childhood in front of her parents’ house on the island of Kauai in Hawaii. Bethany, played wonderfully by AnnaSophia Robb, is, as her mother says, a mermaid.
The movie tells the famous true story of Bethany Hamilton, a rising star on the teenage surfing circuit who loses her arm in a shark attack. It has a great cast, but please note that the whole is much greater than the sum of its parts. SOUL SURFER is a powerful, encouraging and poignant story that brings tears to the eye and joy to the heart. There are powerful church scenes, but they shouldn’t alienate secular viewers because they are extremely real. The good news is that real courage comes from deep faith in Jesus Christ, not just willpower. A cast of veterans provides great support. Anna Sophia Robb as Bethany gives a wonderful performance. It has one of those endings that make the movie work, despite some light weight scenes. SOUL SURFER has very poignant moments that will bring tears to your eyes. After a dark night of the soul, Bethany makes an important decision that changes her life. She tries surfing again and struggles, but shows some promise. Even so, when Bethany leaves the hospital, she finds out life has changed irrevocably. Alana’s father and the other members of her family rush Bethany to the hospital. A 14-foot tiger sharp leaps out of the water and eats her arm. She currently has her own blog and online course on helping others become unstoppable.SOUL SURFER is an inspiring, powerful story about young surfer Bethany Hamilton.
Her greatest joy is being a wife and mother, and she continues to touch and inspire lives globally as a professional surfer, author and motivational speaker. Bethany has been able to touch a large number of people with her faith message, charitable efforts, and overall spirit.
At 17 years old, she realized her dream of surfing professionally and she is still an active surf competitor to this day. Bethany’s foundation of faith has been her backbone her source of truth, hope, and strength. However, one month after the attack, Bethany returned to surfing and within two years had won her first national surfing title. At the age of 13 as a rising surf star, Bethany lost her left arm to a 14-foot tiger shark, which seemed to end her dream career. Her story of determination, faith, and hope has resounded in encouragement worldwide. Known most notably as one of the biggest comeback stories of our era, Bethany Hamilton has become synonymous with inspiration.