Soul Surfer

In 2003, teenage Bethany Hamilton lives in Kauai, Hawaii with her loving family. They all share a passion for surfing, and her parents support her dreams of becoming a competitive surfer.

Bethany and her best friend Alana Blanchard participate in a significant surfing competition. Against expectations, Bethany triumphs by scoring first place while Alana secures third, surprising everyone involved.

Following their impressive performance at the competition, Bethany and Alana receive sponsorship offers from Rip Curl surfwear company. This opportunity opens new avenues for their surfing careers and marks a pivotal moment in their lives.

On Halloween night, while surfing, a tiger shark attacks Bethany, severing her left arm near the shoulder. In a heroic effort, Alana's father rescues her and rushes her to the hospital, where she experiences a life-threatening loss of blood.

Bethany arrives at the hospital where her condition is critical due to the shark attack. Dr. David Rovinsky is called in to perform emergency surgery, and her survival is deemed miraculous given the extent of her injuries.

Despite her recovery, Bethany faces overwhelming media scrutiny following her injury. While she remains supportive of Alana's surfing career, the invasive attention takes a toll on her family's well-being.

Bethany gradually adapts to her situation and begins surfing again using new techniques. Her determination leads her to re-enter competitive surfing, hoping to reclaim her place in the sport.

After struggling in her competitions, Bethany watches the devastating 2004 tsunami on the news. This experience profoundly impacts her, forcing her to confront her own challenges in light of global suffering.

In a bid to give back, Bethany joins a church youth group heading to Phuket, Thailand to assist tsunami victims. She inspires a young boy afraid of the water by surfing in front of him, rekindling her love for the sport.

To support her new surfing style, Bethany's father adapts her surfboard with a handle that assists her while paddling. This innovation allows Bethany to participate in competitions with newfound confidence.

Bethany enters the national surfing championship, determined to succeed. Although her aim is to secure third place, she faces tough competition from her rival Malina, who she respects as a worthy opponent.

As the championship unfolds, all the surfers wait for the perfect wave. Bethany, guided by her father's instincts, learns to read the ocean but unfortunately, her ride is declared invalid just as time runs out.

After the competition, despite losing, Malina acknowledges Bethany's tenacity and invites her onto the winners' platform. This gesture signifies mutual respect and highlights the bond formed through adversity.

In the film's conclusion, Bethany addresses the media about her arm loss. With unwavering spirit, she declares she would choose to lose it again, demonstrating her resilience and newfound perspective on life.

The film wraps up with real footage of Bethany surfing confidently after her recovery. It serves as a powerful reminder of her journey and the inspiring message she shares through her interviews and public appearances.