when she was just 13, tragedy struck her life. While surfing in an area highly populated with sea turtles, a large tiger shark bit off Bethany’s left arm. The attack was vicious and the young girl had lost so much blood that she was in danger of losing her life, too. One month later, however, Bethany was back on her surfboard, after having made a full recovery. She had lost her arm, but her spirit remained unwavering. Determined and positive, Bethany continued her love for surfing and won first place in the Explorer Women’s Division of the NSSA National Championships just two years after her accident. Bethany’s incredible story even inspired a Hollywood film titled ‘Soul Surfer’.