Why This Pro-Surfer Stands Up for Family and Faith

Published: July 22, 2025

By Kayla DeKraker

Bethany Hamilton knows the importance of God and family — and how the world works to corrode those values.

“I feel like the world is pulling families apart,” she shared in an Instagram video recently. “Whether it’s school sports, you know, whatever the endless work, the endless to do things.”

But despite all the business of life, nothing is more important than family.

“At the end of the day, like nothing is more important than faith, our God and our family. And so making that be very apparent on an everyday level of, like, fighting for that time together, speaking encouragement and faith to our children, diving into God’s word together,” the pro surfer emphasized.

People in the comment section agreed with Hamilton’s words.

“You’re 100 percent correct, it’s by design. Strong faith and a solid family unit are a threat to certain people. I love that you’re an advocate for family and faith.❤️” one follower said. Another person added, “You have an amazing soul we need more of that ❤️”

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A post shared by Bethany Hamilton (@bethanyhamilton)

Hamilton is onto something. Families in America are crumbling. The Standing for Freedom Center explains, “Fatherlessness is at an all-time high. Well over 18.5 million children in the U.S. grow up without a biological father in the home.”

The group adds, “Marriage rates have plummeted, with many young women choosing careers over family, but regretting it later. There has been a rise in depression, loneliness, and anxiety among women, despite promises that feminism would bring them fulfillment.”

Hamilton is one of many people who stands for godly morals despite society’s pushback. She rose to fame after a shark took her arm while surfing, but that didn’t stop her from sharing her faith and following her dreams. Last month at a Turning Point USA event, Hamilton, who’s story inspired Teddy Bear® Award Winner SOUL SURFER, shared how she adapted to her difficult situation.

“I truly had to persevere to get to the goals and dreams and desires that I had, and it took a support system. It took adapting, it took persevering, it took trusting in God and His plan for my life,” she said.

“This is not the life that I had in mind for me, but to trust that God’s plan for our life is even better. He calls us to look to his word, to be the author and finisher of our faith,” she encouraged her audience.