Surfer Alana Blanchard Recounts Trauma of Bethany Hamilton’s Shark Attack

KAUAI, Hawaii — Alana Blanchard, a professional surfer and close friend of Bethany Hamilton, opened up about the lasting trauma of witnessing Hamilton’s 2003 shark attack during a recent episode of the FOX reality series “Special Forces: World's Toughest Test.” The incident, which occurred near Tunnels Beach in Kauai, left Hamilton without her left arm and Blanchard deeply scarred.

“It was just a really traumatic experience for me,” Blanchard said, breaking down in tears during the Jan. 22 episode. She described the moment she realized Hamilton had been bitten, recalling, “She’s laying on her board, a wave went down, and when it came up, her arm was gone, blood’s everywhere.”

Blanchard, who was 12 at the time, credited her father for saving Hamilton’s life. “My dad saved [Hamilton’s] life. He handled it so well,” she said. Now a mother of two, Blanchard reflected on how the event shaped her, saying, “My reason [for being here] was I want to react [well] in those kinds of situations.”

During a confessional, Blanchard revealed the emotional toll of the attack. “When something happens like that, it doesn’t seem real. In the moment, I definitely didn’t react [well]. I was freaking out,” she said. She also acknowledged the possibility of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), stating, “My dad said from that day, I was a changed girl. Like, I never was the same.”

Hamilton, who lost 60 percent of her blood by the time she reached the hospital, made a remarkable recovery and returned to surfing just one month later. Her story was documented in her 2004 autobiography, “Soul Surfer: A True Story of Faith, Family, and Fighting to Get Back on the Board,” which was adapted into a 2011 film. Photos of Blanchard and Hamilton appear in the book, highlighting their enduring friendship.

In May 2019, Hamilton shared a tribute to their friendship on social media, featuring old clips of the pair together. Blanchard, in one of the clips, said, “When the attack first happened, I was so devastated. I thought I lost my surf buddy.”

Both women continue to surf professionally and are now mothers. Blanchard shares sons Banks, 7, and Koda, 3, with husband Jack Freestone, while Hamilton has four children with husband Adam Dirks. Blanchard watched the emotional episode of “Special Forces” with her family, sharing a photo on Instagram with the caption, “Watching mama cry on TV. #SpecialForcesfox.”

“Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test” airs on FOX Wednesdays at 8 p.m. EST.