Bethany Hamilton (USA, Surfing)

When I broke my arm back in 2006, it took me about four months to hurdle again. A few months later, I set a new personal best in the sprint hurdles. Bethany Hamilton was back riding waves barely a month after a shark attack tore off her left arm.

Photo by Noah Hamilton

She was just thirteen years old when the unfortunate accident happened. The young Bethany was just lazing on her surfboard, watching a bunch of sea turtles swim nearby, when a tiger sharp attacked.

At first, she had to make do with a modified surfboard. In time, she learned how to surf on a standard board with just one arm. Two years after the shark attack, Hamilton was crowned as the National Scholastic Surfing Association champion. In 2008, she became a full fledged surfing professional.

Bethany's amazingly comeback has inspired millions, and made the surfer quite popular. She has guested in countless TV shows and had published a book about her experience in 2004.

Source:

Bethany's Wikipedia Profile

Malia Jones (USA, Surfing Beauty)

I must admit that I am not comfortable at all with water. Although I am a self-taught swimmer, I prefer the safe confines of dry land. Hence, I have this aversion to all types of water sports. Surfing, in particular, I find daunting. The thought of riding the waves brings forth fears of unknown underwater creatures, undercurrents and drowning!

Thus, I have much respect for surfers.

Malia Jones is one such surfer. Born in California, but raised in Hawaii, Jones' exposure to competitive surfing started at an early age. At 15, according to Wikipedia, Jones won her first ever surfing title, and, consequently, landed her first surfing-related modeling gig as well.

Photo from sports-extremes.net

These two disciplines have gone hand-in-hand in increasing Jones popularity with the sports-mad American public. Since then, the 33-year old had graced countless magazine covers.

According to the treasure trove of information, Wikipedia, Jones is of Hawaiian, German and Anglo-Saxon descent. She is also a Spanish-Filipino mestiza.