Surf hero Bethany Hamilton has re-signed to Rip Curl, the Australian surf brand. The 22-year-old Hawaiian surfer from Kauai is one of the world's most recognized surf stars.
"2011 was an incredible year for my family and I with the opportunity to share our story through Soul Surfer," said Hamilton.
"It was exciting, adventurous, challenging and left us with a great feeling of accomplishment. It's been amazing to see how great of an impact the movie and my foundation 'Friends of Bethany Hamilton' has had on so many peoples lives."
The terms of the deal between Bethany Hamilton and Rip Curl were not disclosed. The Hawaiian icon has a full schedule agenda and keeps competing and free surfing around the world, every month.
Hamilton courageously returned to surfing after surviving the loss of her left arm in a 14-foot tiger shark attack while surfing off Kauai's North Shore in 2003. She returned to the line-up a mere one month after the attack and has continued to compete amateur and more recently professional surfing contests in the eight years since.
Bethany Hamilton is currently inspiring millions of people through her story of survival, faith, determination and hope. "Soul Surfer", the autobiography of Bethany Hamilton, made into a major motion picture starring AnnaSophia Robb, Helen Hunt, Dennis Quaid, Carrie Underwood and Lorraine Nicholson.
"My surfing goals are to bring my full focus back to competing and finding the time to pursue bigger waves and tow surfing. I'm really looking forward to some surf-focused travel with the emphasis on barrels, fun and living the search", says Hamilton.
"Outside of surfing, I'm keen to work on a travel TV show and am obviously want to continue inspiring people to overcome adversity and live a healthy lifestyle", she adds.
Hamilton originally signed with Rip Curl in 1999, at the age of 9, after being scouted at a local Hawaiian junior surfing event.