The surfer who was attacked by a tiger shark when she was 13 not only survived but continues to surf, inspiring others to pursue their dreams.

Bethany Hamilton was born in Hawaii (on the island of Kauai) and comes from a family of surfers, so it makes sense that she would eventually end up on a board. At the age of 7, she was surfing without the help of her parents, and when she was 8, she won both the short and long board divisions for 7- to 9-year-olds at the Rell Sunn Menehune surfing competition. She was later sponsored by Rip Curl and her goal of becoming a pro surfer looked to be well on its way.

… overcame a shark attack…

On October 31, 2003, she was surfing with her best friend, Alana, and members of Alana’s family when Bethany was attacked by a 14-foot tiger shark. The attack caused her to lose more than 60 percent of her blood and left her with a severed left arm, but thanks to the people she was surfing with (who made a tourniquet out of a surfing leash and quickly paddled her into shore) and several successful surgeries, she survived. Just one month later, she was back in the water, and in January 2004, three months after the attack, she was competing in a surfing contest with just one arm.

… and continues competing today.

After winning the 2004 ESPY for Best Comeback Athlete of the Year, she managed to win the Explorer Women’s division of the NSSA National Championships in 2005. She’s now competing on the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) Women’s World Qualifying Series (WQS), having finished last year ranked 14th overall. And if that’s not impressive enough, next year, you can see her life story unfold on the big screen, as AnnaSophia Robb will portray her in the movie Soul Surfer, which will also star Dennis Quaid and Helen Hunt as her parents.

AnnaSophia Robb stars in Dream It Out Loud and the official website just launched!

The film, which also stars Cayden Boyd, Val Kilmer, and Hether Graham, follows AnnaSophia as Cassie. When her parents are killed in a mysterious car accident she has no choice but to be taken in by Ben’s distant, uncaring parents. Unhappy with their circumstances, and intent on living with Cassie’s hip cool aunt and uncle, the 2 young teenagers embark on a voyage of discovery through the heart of the mid-west. On their journey they encounter a variety of unique but flawed adults, forging a profound and mature bond with each other works as a stark contrast to those around them

As they get nearer to their destination, however, Cassie’s nightmarish visions of the night of the accident begin to re-surface again and again, threatening to spiral out of control and fracture their bond forever.

Added 130+ images of AnnaSophia on location for her new movie Soul Surfer to be released 2011. Check them out!

“The Honolulu Adviser” recently chatted with Bethany Hamilton regarding the film Soul Surfer (based on her life) and how AnnaSophia Robb plays her in the movie. Bethany says “I’m so grateful and thankful to have her a part of the movie!”
AnnaSophia herself admitted that the role was demanding. “There have been a lot of difficulties, just physically,” she revealed to the newspaper during a break in filming. “There are challenges.”
Surfing has become a potent distraction for the young actress. She even loves the way it beats up on her — from the bruises on her hips to the purple mark on her knee that won’t go away to the collisions with her board.
“I have a cut on my leg from the skeg and I love it,” she said. “I hope it scars.”
Bethany revealed that it was weird to have a movie made about her life. “I’m not that into being famous so I think I might get more famous after this. That’s been a challenge to deal with.”
But she admits that AnnaSophia is talented. “She works hard for the roles. I didn’t realize how much actors had to put into their job.“
Click here to watch the video!

The stars of Soul Surfer made use of the latest in special effects today, as they filmed on a Hawaii beach.
The biopic tells the story of surfer Bethany Hamilton, who lost her arm in a shark attack.
Rising Hollywood star Anna Sophia Robb wore a green sleeve on her arm, which will later be digitally removed for the movie.
Anna stars alongside Lorraine Nicholson, the 19-year-old daughter of actor Jack.
Lorraine plays best friend Alana Blanchard, who was with Hamilton on the day a 14ft tiger shark ripped the 13-year-old’s left arm off at her local beach in Kauai.
Sean Brosnan, actor Pierce Brosnan’s son, will play Bethany’s brother Noah.
Just three weeks after the incident, Hamilton returned to the water and went surfing again.
Now 19, Hamilton will step in to film some post-attack surfing and stunt scenes.
‘They wanted a one-armed person doing it and that’s not easy to find,’ says Hamilton, who competed in the Billabong world junior surfing championships in Sydney last month.
‘I’m excited about the role. But it will be intense seeing people playing my family and me.’

dailymail.co.uk

Ready to show off her acting skills, Carrie Underwood was spotted on the set of “Soul Surfer” in Hawaii on Friday (February 12).
The “American Idol” alum hit the beach in a casual-cute ensemble as she eagerly readied to run through the day’s scenes.
As for the film, “Soul Surfer” is an inspirational film about 19-year-old champion surfer Bethany Hamilton, who made headlines when she was attacked by a shark and lost her arm, only to fully recover and return to the sport she loves so much.
Joining the movie’s stars AnnaSophia Robb and Lorraine Nicholson, Carrie will be playing a character named Sarah Hill, who happens to be a church youth group leader.

Celebrity Gossip

If you’re an actor looking for the Academy to pay attention to you, get yourself in a role that has a disability attached to an uplifting story and you’re in. That’s exactly what AnnaSophia Robb is doing here, stepping into the lead role for Soul Surfer, according to Variety.
The film chronicles the storied life of young surfer Bethany Hamilton, who at the age of 13 lost her arm to a shark attack, only to go on to win professional surfing championships with her lopsided upper body. Also starring is Dennis Quaid, coming off his critical smash Legion (/sarcasm), the always lovely Helen Hunt, and last but certainly not least, Hercules himself, Kevin Sorbo, because what’s he been doing lately? American Idol singer Carrie Underwood will appear as well.
Robb’s acting chops have yet to have been given a real test, but this could be her time to shine in a lead. Bridge to Terabithia was a solid movie that she helps carry, and she’s unforgettable as Violet Beauregarde in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, so this 16-year-old blonde may just be on the verge of breaking out of Dakota Fanning’s shadow. Soul Surfer is currently filming in Hawaii.

cinemablend.com

Thanks to amazing Cam I have added missing stills from various AnnaSophia movies to the gallery.

You can relive the magic with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Carla Gugino on DVD and Blu-ray this August. Race to Witch Mountain will be released on DVD and Blu-ray on August 4. The film will be released in a barebones single-disc edition ($35.99 SRP), a two-disc Special Edition ($44.99 SRP) and a three-disc Blu-ray edition, that also comes with the standard edition DVD ($51.99 SRP). The two-disc and Blu-ray will also come equipped with a DisneyFile Digital Copy. The film stars Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Carla Gugino, AnnaSophia Robb and Alexander Ludwig.

Las Vegas taxi driver Jack Bruno (Dwayne Johnson) sets off on the adventure of a lifetime when two mysterious teens ask him to drive them deep into the Nevada desert. Jack agrees to take siblings Sara (AnnaSophia Robb) and Seth (Alexander Ludwig) to Witch Mountain, a shadowy government outpost devoted to studying inexplicable phenomena – including UFO sightings. But his young passengers are no ordinary teens. With a ruthless adversary on their trail, Sara and Seth display astonishing supernatural abilities and Jack becomes a reluctant hero as he helps them evade their pursuer. As Witch Mountain reveals its long hidden secrets, Jack discovers that his passengers are the only key to saving the world!

Special Features: (Two-disc and Blu-ray only)

- Deleted Scenes – With commentary by director Andy Fickman
- Bloopers – Dwayne Johnson and the cast crack up over on-set mistakes.
- Dylan & Cole Sprouse: Blu-ray™ Is Suite!
- Learn How To Take Your Favorite Movies On The Go
- BACKSTAGE DISNEY: Which Mountain? – Director Andy Fickman reveals the film’s hidden references to the original movies, Escape to Witch Mountain and Return from Witch Mountain. (Blu-ray only)
- D-Box – Viewers equipped with a D-BOX Integrated Motion System will be able to experience a whole new dimension while watching this movie. (Blu-ray only)

As you all probably see, AnnaSophia Robb Online looks little bit different. Like I said, I have changed the layout. AnnaSophia looks amazing on these photos! The site still need some changes, but I’ll handle them tomorrow. Meanwhile, enjoy the DVD caps from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Big thanks to Chelsa for them!