Shark Attacked Teenager's Story Coming to the Big Screen

How many of us have faced a terrifying, painful ordeal and then return again to the scene where all that tragedy unfolded? Such was the case for 13-yr-old Hawaiian native, Bethany Hamilton. At the age of eight Bethany began entering surf competitions and even went on to win the 1999 Haleiwa Menehune Championships. Not one to quit, she then went on to complete in the National Scholastic Surfing Association circuit. Her acclaim in the surfing world was rising fast. She dreamed of being a pro surfer and was quickly heading in that direction. Then on October 31, 2003, while surfing off Kauai's North Shore, she was attacked by a 14-foot tiger shark. The attack severed her left arm and nearly took her life. Thinking quickly and drawing on her faith in God, she paddled in -- with her one good arm -- and made it to shore where friends rushed her to the hospital.

It's amazing that she even lived, having lost more than half of her total blood volume. But live she has. Her story of loss, her life, her courage and her faith have inspired countless people. And now, her story is coming to the big screen. Sony Pictures Entertainment Company and Affirm Films have announced the start of filming on "Soul Surfer" on the north shores of Oahu and Kauai.

The role of Bethany's father Tom will be played by Golden Globe nominee, Dennis Quaid (Far From Heaven, Legion, G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra, The Rookie). Academy Award winner Helen Hunt (Then She Found Me) will play Bethany's mother, Cheri. AnnaSophia Robb (Because of Winn- Dixie) will play the role of Bethany. And staring in her film debut, the American Idol winner, four-time Grammy and platinum-selling music artist, Carrie Underwood, will star as the influential church youth leader, Sarah Hill.

In the movie's press release, Doug Schwartz stated, "I've been a writer and producer for the past 32 years, and I've never encountered a more inspiring true story than Bethany Hamilton's. The movie will encourage people worldwide to rise above adversity."

The movie is based on Hamilton's autobiography entitled, Soul Surfer: A True Story of Faith, Family, and Fighting to Get Back on the Board (Simon & Schuster). It has sold nearly 1.5 million copies since its publication in 2004. A sequel, Soul Surfer - Now A Movie, is planned for publication simultaneous with the theatrical release.

Bethany's story embodies personal faith, family unity and the guiding influence of a Christian youth-group leader.

Within three weeks of the shark attack back in 2003, Bethany was back surfing... and she still hasn't stopped. At 19, this world-class teen is still competing, still surfing, still telling others of her faith in God.

Inspiring!

Looking forward to seeing her story on the big screen.

Go, Bethany! You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you!