Surfer Bethany Hamilton, 14, who was attacked by a shark in October off Kauai and lost an arm, waited for her turn Friday in the Trestles competition near San Clemente, Calif. See first item below.
Bethany makes
surfing semifinalsLOS ANGELES >> Bethany Hamilton, the 14-year-old girl who lost her left arm in a shark attack, isn't looking for special treatment from other surfers.
Hamilton was in Southern California this weekend to compete at Trestles, one of the region's best-known surfing spots.
Spectators and competitors applauded each time she rode a wave at the amateur event sponsored by the National Scholastic Surfing Association. The spunky teen advanced to the open semifinals yesterday.
"They don't treat her special," said Hamilton's mother, Cherie. "They all want to win. It's very competitive."
Bethany was paddling off Kauai's north shore in October when a 15-foot tiger shark grabbed her arm. She returned to the waves just months after the attack.
"Surfing brings me the vibe it's all good," Bethany said in a statement.
National Scholastic Surfing Association
www.nssa.org
