What species of shark bit surfer Bethany Hamilton in Hawaii in 2003?

A tiger shark bit surfer Bethany Hamilton in Hawaii in 2003.

Hamilton was surfing near Tunnels Beach on Kauai on October 31, 2003, when a roughly 14-foot tiger shark attacked her. She lost her left arm in the incident but survived and returned to competitive surfing after an intensive recovery.

Her story became widely known through her autobiography, Soul Surfer, and the 2011 film of the same name. Hamilton adapted her technique, balance, and equipment to continue surfing at a high level, later competing professionally and inspiring adaptive-sports athletes.

Tiger sharks are found in warm tropical and subtropical seas and are known for a broad diet. The attack is sometimes incorrectly attributed to a great white shark, another species associated with shark incidents and surfing stories. Hamilton’s account and contemporary reporting identify the animal as a tiger shark.