Last week super mum, shark attack survivor, and all-round awesome lady Bethany Hamilton scored a wildcard into the Fiji Women’s Pro. She was pumped, saying, “I’ve been dreaming of surfing and competing there for years and I think the wave will suit my surfing!’”
She was right. Yesterday, at ever-so-playful-looking Cloudbreak, the stylish goofy-footer took out current world number one and Aussie title hopeful Tyler Wright with a clinical display of forehand tube-riding and powerful hacks in the pocket that had surfers the world over shaking their heads at just how easy she makes surfing with one arm look. Tyler, for her part, surfed well on her backhand and linked together a number of tight snaps, but in the end she couldn’t match Hamilton’s superior wave selection and timing.
Still, she was gracious in defeat and quick to sing the praises of her inspirational opponent. “She’s the greatest human probably ever,” she told Rosy Hodge.
This morning, following on from her form yesterday, the greatest human probably ever put on another electric performance at slightly wind-affected Cloudbreak as she took out 6x world champ Steph Gilmore and Johanne Defay to move straight into the quarters.
“At the end of the day it’s just putting it together and catching the right waves and just surfing my best,” she said in her humble, happy-go-lucky way during the post-heat interview.
And while her game plan may seem understated and simple enough, the implications of a win here for Hamilton would be anything but. With movies and books behind her and a huge international fan base, the Hawaiian is an inspiration to girls (and guys) the world over, and a victory at the top level of the sport would only serve to strengthen her amazing story of triumph over tragedy.
“I know I’m in a unique position to hopefully encourage young girls to make great decisions as their growing into women and chase their dreams and even after losing my arm I’m still doing everything I hoped to do in my future and even more. I think I’m just a reminder to young girls that hey you can do it if you set your mind to it,” she told Rosy Hodge.
She still has three more heats to get through before she can add Fiji Pro winner to her list of already stellar achievements, but judging by Bethany’s performances so far it’s definitely not out of reach. It’s always a special moment when a wildcard snatches a victory from the top dogs, but a win for Bethany Hamilton at Fiji would undoubtedly be the best one yet.
