Bethany Hamilton is a Hawaii native who began her surfing career at age 11. By age 13, she was an accomplished surfer and well-respected in the surfing world. She came to national attention after her left arm was bitten off by a tiger shark on October 31, 2003. She has since made a full recovery and has returned to surfing. MTV Books published Hamilton's Book, 'Soul Surfer' from which the major motion picture is based.