The recently finished ‘Lighthouse Cinema’ in Newquay made its grand entrance into the UK surf scene by playing host to the first ever ‘Newquay Surf Film Festival’ back in September 2011. One of the headline films of the Festival was the release and European premiere of the Disney/Hollywood production of the film ‘Soul Surfer’. ‘Soul Surfer’ is based on the real life story of a young surfer from Hawaii, Bethany Hamilton, whose future career as a pro-surfer seemed to be over when in 2003 aged 13; a Tiger shark tragically attacked her. The attack resulted in her loosing her left arm.  

Bethany’s story did not stop there… what followed the attack has somewhat captured global media attention and inspired millions around the planet.  In what would be to most people, a devastating career ending event, became for Bethany an opportunity push through adversity and defy all the odds, not only by getting back on her board, but by re-entering the competitive world of Professional Surfing.

There was a rumour that Bethany Hamilton was to make a special guest appearance at the premiere showing of ‘Soul Surfer’ in Newquay.   Matt Timms (Newquay Christian Centre) and Phil Williams (Christian Surfers UK) just happened to be in the right place and right time to grab a few minutes with Bethany before the show, check out the interview…