Soul Surfer: A True Story of Faith, Family, and Fighting to Get Back on the Board
Page 13
what was your first meeting with Bethany like? what were your first impressions of her?
I met her in church! The service had already started, and she had gotten there late and sat next to me. She gave me a hug, then we listened to a Christian minister go on for an hour! She seemed very shy, very nice. But it also struck me that she was no pushover. She made it pretty clear, “This is how my movie is going to be done,” and I respected that.
It was pretty immediate: I really liked her and she liked me. She would sit very close to me when I interviewed people, and I sensed a nervousness of Hollywood, of getting it wrong. She was assertive about two things that were very important to her in making this film: It was all about Jesus, and we had to get the surfing right!
so how did you work together?
I assured Bethany I wasn’t interested in making a surfing film. I was interested in making an inspirational movie with surfing as a backdrop. She stayed on the forefront making sure that her Christian ideals made it into the movie and that the surfing was exacting. On this, she was a taskmaster! She even made us go to Tahiti in August to make the surfing look perfect and authentic with bigger, more powerful waves. She was right . . . they look so much better now.
what was the hardest scene to shoot?
I think there were two levels of hard: technical difficult, and when I brought AnnaSophia to the set with her arm “severed” for the first time. I had to walk Bethany and her family on the beach and show them what it was going to look like. The stump was there and the rest of AnnaSophia’s arm was in a green sock, which we would digitally remove during editing. It was tense. Bethany’s first reaction was to giggle, and then her dad saw it and got very serious. So I think in terms of dealing with the family, that was a tough scene. In terms of technical, the staging of the shark attack was very hard. It happened in six different locations including Oahu, Tahiti, and the Turtle Bay resort. So many different places! It was like a puzzle to put it all together, to make it look authentic. Shooting from helicopters and under water—it was just a huge challenge.
why do you think Bethany is an inspiration to so many people?
I think it’s one of our greatest nightmares—the idea of being attacked by a shark. I know as a surfer, since Jaws, it spooked me. Then you take a 13-year-old girl who was attacked. It’s beyond tragic. Most people would stop surfing. She went the opposite way. Not only does she surf, but she excels at it. It’s a morality tale for us: life is going to give you ups and downs, but if you believe you can do it, nothing can stand in your way. Bethany is more than a survivor. She never allows anything or anyone to get in the way of her faith or her passion. She makes you believe anything is possible.
Lorraine Broussard Nicholson
Just the facts!
Birthdate: April 16, 1990
Famous folks: Daughter of actor Jack Nicholson and actress Rebecca Broussard
Hails from: Los Angeles, California
Her first role: Lorraine received her first film credit at the age of 13 in Something’s Gotta Give, starring her dad, Diane Keaton, and Amanda Peet. It was a tiny walk-on part as a young girl in a market—but Lorraine was “bitten” by the acting bug!
Other credits: In 2004, Lorraine appeared in The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement as Princess Lorraine, and played one of Adam Sandler and Kate Beckinsale’s daughters in the 2006 movie Click. In 2007, she took her first leading role in the animated feature Fly Me to the Moon.
The envelope please . . . : Lorraine was Miss Golden Globe at the 64th Annual Golden Globes, handing out awards to all the winners!
playing Alana: Q&A with Lorraine Nicholson
what drew you to this project? what about the story spoke to you?
I remember when the news of Bethany’s accident first hit the news circuit. I was eating breakfast before going off to school. My brother is terrified of sharks, so my mom tried to switch the channel. But I was entranced. Bethany was going to get back on the horse, as they say. Subconsciously, I think, her story continued to inspire me ever since that moment over pancakes. When they asked me to join the project, I was elated. I felt that the movie would help spread her message of hope and resiliency, and I wanted to be a part of it.
what was your first reaction to meeting Bethany? what surprised you about her? how would you describe her?
First reaction: she’s so tall! After getting to know her for about thirteen seconds, I realized she was tough, too. Bethany’s achievements are not simply a miracle. She works hard to achieve her goals! She expected the same out of everyone involved in the project, which is why we were all able to fulfill our greatest potentials. At the same time, she is the most open-minded, laid-back girl. Never, for a moment, does she judge anyone. Bethany pushes us all to be the best version of ourselves.
describe your character Alana. What motivates her?
A lot of my character drew its inspiration from the real Alana herself. After meeting her, I learned that despite her laid-back exterior, she is really insightful and funny. Alana is a professional athlete. She has the drive to keep up with her fellow athletes. I wanted to incorporate this side of her as well as her more goofy, laid-back side. Alana and Bethany are lifelong friends. In the end, I wanted to make this aspect clear through my scenes with AnnaSophia.
did you get to know Bethany and the Hamilton family? spend time with them? what did you learn from them?
The Hamilton family was very involved with the movie and its process from start to finish. I spent a lot of time with them on set, sometimes goofing around, sometimes keeping it strictly business. On the day we shot the shark scene on the reef, it was very physically grueling. Caught in both the physical and emotional aspects, I dropped all my boundaries and cried hysterically throughout the scene. Little did I know, Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton were onshore, listening to the scene taking place. When I got back to shore, they seemed to be very emotionally affected. Overall, however, they were concerned about me, as I too was still feeling very emotional. I remember Cheri gave me the most glorious hug. It was a really fantastic moment for me, because I felt that I did them proud.
what do you find most inspiring about Soul Surfer? what is the message you hope moviegoers take away?
For me, Bethany’s resiliency transcends all denominations of faith. For each of us, we face moments in our lives, like Bethany, that challenge all we believe in. We can either transcend these obstacles or turn our back on our true selves. Bethany shows us just what human beings are capable of. She is an inspiration to me, and I am thrilled to be involved in her life and story.
what is your favorite scene in the movie and why?
My favorite scene in the movie is definitely Bethany’s Thanksgiving surf. She faces her fears, gets back on the board, and succeeds! Even shooting this scene, I got goose bumps.
what did you personally learn in making this movie (i.e., how to surf; about faith, etc.)?
I learned so much while shooting Soul Surfer. First, I learned how to cook, as I was living by myself for the first time without a school cafeteria! I made many delicious meals for all of my movie friends. Second, I learned how to surf. This was huge! At first, I felt that my arms were going to die, but eventually I was able to reach my goals and now I have the pleasure of being able to surf whenever I want! It’s always fun to learn new skills. Lastly, by meeting Bethany, I learned what a person is capable of with a lot of hard work and faith in oneself.
Photographs
Bethany at the age of four.
Bethany ten years old in 4th grade, third-to-last year before being home schooled.
Six-year-old Bethany on vacation in Maui.
Bethany three years old, Noah eleven years old, Timmy seven years old, Lighthouse Crater Hill, Kauai
The beginning—Bethany learning to surf.
The Hamiltons in 1996: Kayak trip on the Napali Coast.
Family portrait—Bethany at nine and a half.
Noah, Tim, and Bethany
Bethany and her dog,
Ginger, on a walk at Princeville.
Working banquets at the Kauai Surf Club paid for my parents’ obsession and allowed enough time to chase waves.
Parents in Kauai, June 1978. We considered ourselves hippies. We were dedicated surfers, committed daily to finding waves.
Always in the water: Tom relaxing at Princeville Pool—October 1981.
Cheri, senior year, Crawford High.
Photo of Mom surfing at Pine Trees when she was twenty-seven years old.
Tom in New Jersey to visit his mom with Bethany one week after September 11—surfing his home break.
Noah’s friend Nathan Carroll with the “Blue Crush” mobile.
Bethany, Alana, and other Oahu competitors.
Alana and Bethany three weeks before the attack. This photo is very significant to us as it was shot on the same location where the shark attack happened. Our church did a kayak group tour to Haena Beach Park.
On a kayak trip three weeks before the attack—at Haena Beach Park.
Bethany and Alana the day after the attack.
Clowning around in the hospital the day after the attack.
Bethany in the hospital with friends.
An overview shot of the coastline off which the incident took place. The Napali Coast is one of the most beautiful and breathtaking landscapes on Kauai. It’s known for having the second highest sea cliffs in the world.
Yes, this is the actual beast, caught by Ralph Young and Billy Hamilton. The jaws are a perfect match.
After the incident, Bethany began working out hours a day to get back in shape.
Bethany stretching with rubber band to train for surfing.
Bethany and Alana with another close friend, Natalie, daughter of a former professional surfer.
When there’s no surf: Alana and Bethany.
Napali Coast hiking.
Bethany in her room with one of her favorite Rip Curl boards.
Bethany in Kauai.
Bethany and her cousin Lucy.
Bethany and Alana walking on the shores of Hanalei Bay—where she learned to surf.
Me after my first win at ten years old signing autographs for my trusty sponsor, Rip Curl. (Curiously, the watch on my wrist is the same watch the shark ate during my attack.)
Me surfing the big waves at Hanalei Bay.
Bethany on a trip to New Jersey right after September 11.
Bethany and Alana age thirteen—a few weeks before the attack.
Bethany and Alana have been a tandem duo since they were eight years old.
Bethany surfing, with the Princeville hotel in the background. This is where Mom, Dad, and brother Noah work.
A contest was cancelled because the surf came up too big so Bethany surfed Pupakea anyway and got this tube ride!
Here’s a photo of me training in 2003 for my first contest with one arm, and one of me training for the professional tour in 2008.
Practice makes perfect! I guess this is why I was given the ESPY Award for Best Comeback Athlete in 2004.
Here are my friends supporting me for my first time surfing after the attack. If you can’t tell, I’m super excited as I’ve been out of the water for about 3 weeks.
A great ride on my first time back surfing; that’s my brother in the foreground filming me. You can see the footage in my documentary Heart of a Soul Surfer.
I love getting barreled, but a big air is just as rewarding. This is called a mute grab.
Surfing deep in the barrel of a wave is always the goal of a surfer.
Life without limbs—Nick Vujicic lives a life without limits. God has blessed both of us with such a fulfilling life and an opportunity to inspire others.
Training and eating healthy is very important for me. As a professional surfer I need to be on top of my game, but more importantly as an amputee I need to train to keep my body aligned.
A few months after my shar-pei Ginger died in summer 2009, baby Hana came into my life. Hanalei has such a great personality. She is also naughty and doesn’t like to obey. But Hana still gets spoiled.
A young fan getting a signed copy of my book in Germany. Kids like him inspire me.
Speaking at the 2007 Rock the Universe at Universal Orlando.
A hug with two beautiful girls while working with Spectrum Ministries, an orphanage in Mexico. Going on a mission trip and giving to others is incredibly fulfilling. I encourage everyone to experience this.
In 2008 I started tow-surfing where I’m towed into big waves by a jet ski and I really enjoy the the new challenge.
I’m taking off my leash after coming in from surfing in the finals of the 2005 NSSA National Championships. My family has just told me that I won this final, so I’m pretty excited.
Skydiving is awesome . . . especially in Hawaii as I can check all the surf spots . . . haha!
My brother, Noah, left, and Timmy, right, adventuring the world together.
Tahitian coconut tree. Aside from Hawaii, Tahiti is my favorite place to be.
Being a professional surfer I get to travel to some awesome places and once in a while I get to detour to places like Paris and the Eiffel Tower.
Alana, one of my best friends today, has gone on to be a very successful professional surfer.
I’ve started swimming the Napali Coast. It’s an open ocean swim, the same coastline that I’ve grown up kayaking. In 2009 I swam the 5.5 miles to Kalalau. In 2010, I swam 10 miles to Miloli’i. It’s a really hard swim, but I like the challenge.
Our family in 2010. With two new members of the Hamilton family: Noah’s wife, Becky, and Hanalei the shar-pei.
BETHANY HAMILTON, whom YM magazine called the “Bravest Girl in America,” has been surfing since she was a toddler. After her shark attack, she returned to competitive surfing and in 2005 took first place in the NSSA National Championships. Now a professional surfer, she is currently ranked among the top women in the world. She makes television and personal appearances to share her inspiring story and recently launched Friends of Bethany, an organization dedicated to supporting and encouraging shark attack survivors and traumatic amputees. In 2011, her story was turned into a critically acclaimed major motion picture also titled Soul Surfer.
ABOUT BETHANY’S CO-AUTHORS
SHERYL BERK collaborated with Sopranos star Jamie-Lynn Sigler on her memoir, Wise Girl, and with Britney Spears on her autobiography, Stages. She lives in Manhattan with her husband, Peter, and their own little miracle, daughter Carrie.
RICK BUNDSCHUH is a surfer, writer, and cartoonist, and serves as one of the pastors at Kauai Christian Fellowship. He makes his home in Kalaheo, Hawaii, along with his wife, Lauren, and their four kids, a weenie dog, and a quiver of surfboards.
MEET THE AUTHORS, WATCH VIDEOS AND MORE AT
SimonandSchuster.com
THE SOURCE FOR READING GROUPS
COVER DESIGN BY JULIENNE G. HA
COVER PHOTOGRAPH © ALEX VIARNES
We hope you enjoyed reading this Pocket Books / MTV Books eBook.
* * *
Sign up for our newsletter and receive special offers, access to bonus content, and info on the latest new releases and other great eBooks from Pocket Books / MTV Books and Simon & Schuster.
C LICK HERE TO SIGN UP
or visit us online to sign up at
eBookNews.SimonandSchuster.com
Pocket Books
A Division of Simon & Schuster, Inc.
1230 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10020
www.SimonandSchuster.com
Copyright © 2004, 2011 by Bethany Hamilton
MTV Music Television and all related titles, logos, and characters are trademarks of MTV Networks, a division of Viacom International Inc.
All photos courtesy of Noah Hamilton and the Hamilton family.
All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form whatsoever. For information address Pocket Books Subsidiary Rights Department, 1230 Avenue of the Americas, New Yo
rk, NY 10020