Reflection

After all of my 9 posts, this is my last one. I've had some struggles with my researching and some rewarding things during this process of writing the blog about Bethany.

I've learned tons of things during this past month about Bethany. When she got attacked she lost a ton of blood. I was shocked when I found out how much blood Bethany lost and how much she survived from losing so much blood. Her faith in God helped her through that struggle in her life from losing her arm. It's so amazing how her faith helped her recover from the attack.

There were tons of difficult and challenging things during this journey. Finding credible sources was one of them. For the times I had to research things about Bethany and learn more about her life (which was a lot) I had to find credible sources, which means it couldn't be someone else's blog or a little kids blog.

After a few posts, it was really hard to find new sources and information that I haven't already used. I had to look up a lot of things to find the information I was actually looking for. It took awhile, but in the end I got it done so its all good.

From having a blog, there were a few rewarding things. Getting good grades was very rewarding. Getting good grades is a huge deal to me because of the fact that I don't get that much of good grades.

This whole blogging process has helped me become a better writer. I've learned tons of new things because of this blogging project. I've learned how to credit sources, paraphrase from other sources, insert direct quotes, and summarize articles I have read. I've learned a lot about blogging and how it works.

From this experience, I've found out a ton of new things. From learning about Bethany's life, to becoming a better writer and learning how to post on a blog.

Photo credit: Here

The Accomplisments of Bethany

After talking about Bethany's life, getting to know her a bit more to comparing the risks and health benefits of surfing. Now, to her top 5 accomplishments.

Photo Credit of Here

Accomplishment #5: People Magazine Appearance
The fact that she made it into a huge hit magazine is outstanding. In the article, the author mentioned that Bethany wrote a memoir. A Hawaiian surf coach Rainos Hayes stated "There are few girls who can surf at her level with two arms." (People)
To read more of this article in People Magazine go here: http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20150434,00.html

Accomplishment #4: Charity Work
Bethany supports the following charities: Surfaid, World Vision and Women's Sports Foundation. She also supports special causes like adoption and AIDS/HIV. Everyone who helps out makes a huge impact on the people's lives. But, someone who is inspiring and has gone through so much makes even a bigger impact on their lives.

Accomplishment #3: Role Modeling
From everything that has happened in her life she is a role model to many people. She has gone through so much and with her faith in God and with the help of others, it brought her to where shes at right now.

Accomplishment #2: Pro Surfing
Bethany has been in several different surfing competitions since the shark attack. She has won many competitions and awards for her accomplishments in surfing. "Bethany Hamiltons dream was nearly shattered when her left arm was bitten off by a thirteen-foot shark." (CBN) Bethany was determined to get into pro surfing, just look at her now.
Read more of this article here:http://www.cbn.com/700club/sports/archive/jaynesmith/soulsurfer032311.aspx

Accomplishment #1: Getting Back On Board
After the attack, Bethany went back to surfing a month layer. She tried and tried until she got her surfing to be outstanding. She's known for her courage, positive attitude, and her competitive spirit. "Despite the attack Hamilton has proved she could compete with the best of them jumping right back in the water a month later." (ABC)
Read more about her journey here: http://abcnews.go.com/2020/t/story?id=7599149&page=1

Bethany has overcome so many things and has had some pretty great accomplishments.

Risks and Health Benefits of Surfing

Surfing is a major sport nation wide. I chose this topic because I wanted to know if surfing is healthy for a person. The two sources I found are isport and betterarticle.

Surfing helps with your health and you so cardiovascular exercises. You also do exercises with your back, shoulders and legs. By surfing you spend time outdoors and see the natural environment. Also, surfing relieves stress and tension.

"It's important to identify potential landscape and man made hazards before your session and steer clear of them while in the water" (Surfing.isport)!All sports have some type of risk. Some hazards you may want to look out for are powerful waves, the ocean produces these. The strong currents the ocean creates sometimes have hazards too, strong currents run parallel to the shore. Also sea creatures is something you should watch out for in the ocean.

Both articles had similarities. These two articles both talked about safety tips. For example, better health talked about how to avoid injuries. Isport talked about the safety tips on how to be safe while surfing and in the water.

Other than the similarities both articles have differences. Isport talks about all of the hazards of surfing and has some safety tips that will in fact, help out beginner surfers. Also, betterhealth talks about how to check the ocean, surfing etiquette, how to paddle your board and how to get started.

Some of these hazards aren't as dangerous as others. Other than that, I think that surfing is a good exercise for your muscles and if you know what you're looking for. "Surfers enjoy the physical benefits of paddling and surfing, being in the fresh air as well as the overall wellbeing benefits of surfing." (Better Health)



Photo Credit of: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lapstrake/2313073216/sizes/m/

Information from: Here and Here

The History Of Surfing

People surf all over the world whether its to compete, or its for fun. You can surf about anywhere in the world. If its cool or warm. Surfing is connected to the ancient tradition of "he'e nalu", meaning "wave sliding". If you wanted a good day of surfing you'd need the right waves. Ancient Hawaiians relied on Kahunas, which were priests, to pray for a good surf. All types of sports and activities haves some history behind them.

Surfing served as a training exercise. When there was competitions, wealth, pride and romance were at stake. A guy named Captain Cook arrived in Hawaii in the late eighteenth century. His arrival increased the number of foreigners in Hawaii all together. The foreigners were traders and explorers. At first, they were looking for profit. After that, missionaries and settlers came to Hawaii because of Cooks journal. They were looking to destroy the Hawaiian culture and take all of their land.

This information is from: Here

After Captain Cook and James King discovered the Hawaiians practicing a sport in the 1790's, surfing declined dramatically. Surfing was widely practiced in Hawaii and Tahiti. Henry T. Cheever saw people surfing in Maui and wrote about what he saw the people doing.

Picture Credit: Here

Gear Up.

When you go out surfing, you have to wear certain type of gear. Right? You can't just wear your clothes and then go out surfing. You have to be wearing the right equipment.

From researching Bethany, I wanted to find out what surfers wear. There's tons of equipment that surfers wear. From vests to suits. For the vests, theres one type. A neoprene vest. The neoprene vest is one option for when you're cold. These vests don't keep your arms warm, but keep warmth by your heart. There's a neoprene jacket too. The jacket is basically like wearing half of a wetsuit. It helps you  be protected from the wind when you're either dry or wet.

There's different types of spring suits. Spring suit, long arm spring suit, short john, long john and short arm full suit. First, the spring suit is a full body suit with short arms and legs. These type of suits keep you warm on chilly days. Some surfers don't prefer this type of suit. The long arm spring suit is just like it says, long armed. It's exactly like the spring suit. A short john suit has short arms and a sleeveless top. This type of suit is popular with long boarders. The long john is a short sleeved suit with long leg. Lastly, the short arm full suit, often called long leg spring suit has arms going to your elbows and the legs go fully down to your ankles.

A full suit covers your entire body. The full suit is the standard wetsuit. It has long legs and long arms. The hooded full suit is a suit you wear while surfing if its super cold outside. Surfers don't have this type of suit as their primary suit because if they did, they would be warm for most of the year. Now, the last suit is a dry suit. Surfers rarely use this type. This type of suit traps a thin layer of water  against your body, then the water heats up and then that keeps you warm.

Photo Credit Of: http://www.flickr.com/photos/torocosmico/4328561389/sizes/z/






All this information I got from: Here

Help For A Good Cause

According to my previous posts, Bethany has surfed for most of her life.
Rip Curl said:
July 25th 2012 Kuta, Bali – Hawaiian charger Bethany Hamilton has been awarded a wildcard spot in the 2012 Rip Curl Cup Padang Padang Invitational. Hamilton, 22, from Kauai, Hawaii, will be the first-ever woman surfer to compete in the Rip Curl Cup (July 15 – August 26). The fearless goofyfooter, known for her exploits in powerful waves, is relishing the historic opportunity to surf against the best barrel riders on the planet at Bali's most revered wave.

http://asia.ripcurl.com/index.php?aid=1384


This surfing event is the longest running surfing event in Indonesia. She has competed in tons of ASP Women's World Tour surfing events since 2007. The Rip Curl event will be her first time competing against males.

In another article by Rip Curl they announced:
August 6, 2012. Kuta, Bali – Professional surfer, star of Hollywood blockbuster Soul Surfer and shark-attack survivor, Bethany Hamilton led a surf lesson for unprivileged children from orphanages including Benih Harapan Orphanage in Bali on Friday. Kids ranging in age from 8 to 13 joined global icon and role model Hamilton for an afternoon of fun and surfing at Legian Beach in Kuta.

http://asia.ripcurl.com/?aid=1386

Hamilton helped the kids hit small waves. She informed them about ocean safety and environmental awareness. Her and Rip Curl also donated basic food supplies. Like, sacks of rice, noodles, milk and five surfboards to Soul Surf Project Bali for future lessons. The Soul Surf Project Bali gives kids in orphanages a better perspective, to think about a better future and to just forget about their problems.

After the lessons, she met with fans and signed autographs. Over 500 fans were there, just to see her.

Photo Credit Of:Here

Her Faith

Bethany's faith in God helped her through her tragedy. She tried to get on her surf board three times before she got all the way back to the beach. "'From what seems like such a horrible thing God has just brought glory to himself'" said Hamilton. She speaks about her faith and how it helped her recovery. Many people thought she would be done surfing after she recovered. When the paramedic was n the ambulance, he said to her "God will never leave you nor forsake you." (Jennifer Riley)

"But with a smile on her face, she recalls that she has a sense of peace and calmness... She was able to turn to Jesus during this crazy moment in her life." (Jennifer Riley)

Eight years after the tragedy she competes in the Association of Surfing Professionals. When Bethany has free time she teaches the children at a surf camp called Walking on Water and also helps fundraiser for local charities.




Photo Credit Of: Here