Shark attack victim competes in surf meet

updated 11:09 a.m. ET Jan. 11, 2004

KAILUA-KONA, Hawaii - Teen surfer Bethany Hamilton returned to competition Saturday, just 10 weeks after losing her left arm in a shark attack.

Hamilton, 13, placed fifth in her age group in the Open Women Division of a National Scholastic Surfing Association meet at Banyans.

"It was definitely a good start," Hamilton said.

Hamilton’s last meet was the weekend before she was attacked Oct. 31; she returned to the water for the first time Thanksgiving Day.

Hamilton began with a modest 2-foot wave but caught a 6-footer during her quarterfinal heat. She kicked her left leg to help propel her 6-foot-2 surfboard into waves and occasionally struggled when pushing off the board with one hand.

"Once I get up on the board, I’m OK," Hamilton said. "Sometimes it’s hard to get there."

Hamilton rejected any special treatment, said Bobbi Lee, NSSA Hawaii Conference director.

"I offered to give her more time (between heats) or put her in a more favorable heat," Lee said. "She refused. She said she wanted to be treated like anybody else."

MORE FROM U.S. NEWS

U.S. news Section Front

Ill. prison eyed for Gitmo detainees Report: Health bill would reduce senior care Mom of missing 5-year-old girl charged Medicare paid $47 billion in suspect claims   Gitmo detainees finally get day in court   Parties split on N.Y. trials of alleged terrorists Funerals held for some Fort Hood victims Madoff's Mets jacket sells for $14,500 2012 already? GOP wannabes jockey early 3 medical crew die in helicopter crash U.S. news Section Front   Add U.S. news headlines to your news reader: