The youth leader has the kids look at close-up photographs of items and try to identify them. There's a point early in the movie where Bethany is at a youth activity at her church. The role also gives her an excuse to sing in her first scene in the film. She's compassionate and supportive of Bethany and helps her make sense of what happened to her. Her mother replies 'Why don't we try a shower first?' She's the one saying slow down and take it one step at a time.Ĭarrie Underwood, plays Bethany's church youth leader, Sarah Hill. While driving home from the hospital, Bethany asks when she can return to the water. Helen Hunt, as Cheri, is also supportive, but she's also cautious. When Bethany has a set-back, he's the one standing there telling her to take a deep breath and try again. As Tom Hamilton, Dennis Quaid coaches Bethany and is the forever optimist. One of the best scenes in the movie is an informal surfing competition between the parents while their three children sit on the beach and act as judges. They both put in excellent performances as her supportive but laid-back parents. The audience can't help but root for her as she struggles to come to grips with the loss of her arm, learns to adapt to her handicap, and then returns to surfing with heartfelt determination.īethany's parents, Cheri and Tom Hamilton, are played by Helen Hunt and Dennis Quaid. She comes across as warm hearted, approachable, and vulnerable. She does an excellent job portraying Bethany through all of her ups and downs.

When she starts receiving fan letters, from other amputees taking inspiration from Bethany's attitude to try out for different sports, Bethany realises that she must overcome the odds in order to become a champion again.Bethany Hamilton is portrayed by AnnaSophia Robb ( Bridge to Terabithia, Race to Witch Mountain ). But one day, when out surfing with her friend, Bethany falls victim to a shark attack she is rushed to the hospital and has to have her arm amputated, leaving her surfing career in jeopardy.īethany slowly adjusts to life with one arm and quickly gets back in the water but it's difficult to surf one handed. Everyone agrees that she has a bright future in surfing ahead of her. When not surfing, she likes hanging out with her friends and flirting with guys, like any other teen her age.īethany also participates in surfing competitions, frequently winning the grand prize every time. Thirteen year old Bethany Hamilton loves to surf she comes from a family of surfers, so there is nothing more she likes doing then catching some waves, in Hawaii, where she lives.

Soul surfer trailer