|
A touch of
Hollywood glamour came to Bundoran recently when Hawaiian surfing champion
Bethany Hamilton dropped into Bundoran RNLI lifeboat station to say hello to
members of the volunteer lifeboat crew. Bethany was in town for the gala Irish
screening of the film ‘Soul Surfer’, which is based on her life and was
being screened after the opening of the European Surfing Championships.
Bethany lost her
left arm in a shark attack off the North Shore of Kauai in Hawaii in 2003. The
incident and her recovery are the subject of the new Disney film ‘Soul
Surfer’. Following the attack, Bethany overcame all the odds to become a
champion surfer again. The film features an all star cast including Anna Sophia
Robb, Helen Hunt and Dennis Quaid.
Bethany called
in to say hello to the lifeboat crew and was happy to pose for a photograph with
the volunteers. She is also no stranger to the area, having traced her family
roots back to the Donegal town through the Hamilton’s of Hamilton Hall. The
lifeboat crew made sure she was made very welcome and presented her with her
very own RNLI “SOS” t-shirt and pen.
Speaking during
the visit Bethany said, “With the incredible amount of time that I've spent in
the ocean I've learnt how important emergency services are. The work that the
RNLI Lifeboat guys do here in Bundoran is amazing and to do it on a voluntary
basis really blows my mind - what a blessing for the community. The commitment
these guys show, is second to none.”
Commenting on
the visit Colm Hamrogue, Bundoran RNLI lifeboat press officer added, “We were
thrilled to welcome Bethany to the lifeboat station and show her the lifeboat.
It was an honour to meet the person who has overcome such adversity to go on and
become a champion in her sport. She is a true inspiration to the RNLI volunteers
who go out and save lives at sea.”
The European
Surfing Championships are being held in Bundoran for the third time in the
competition’s history and run from September 23rd to the 2nd
of October. As always the Bundoran RNLI volunteer lifeboat crew will be
available if needed and wish all the competitors the very best of luck. |
