LIHUE — Kauai “Soul Surfer” Bethany Hamilton and her new husband, Adam Dirks, are expecting their first child — a boy — in early June. The couple, who were married in August, announ-ced the pregnancy in a video on Hamilton’s
LIHUE — Kauai “Soul Surfer” Bethany Hamilton and her new husband, Adam Dirks, are expecting their first child — a boy — in early June.
The couple, who were married in August, announ-ced the pregnancy in a video on Hamilton’s Facebook page Monday.
“In baby terms, I’m 22 weeks, which is about halfway there and, yeah, it’s been a pretty crazy last four months finding out that we’re going to be parents and life’s kind of going to be changing,” Hamilton said in the video. “And kind of just starting to prep for bringing a new being into the world. It’s all really exciting, though.”
The pregnancy hasn’t kept the 25-year-old professional surfer out of the water, including competing in the 2014 Billabong Pipe Masters in December, where she placed third.
“I plan to, like, surf as long as I can,” she said in the video. “Once the belly is pretty big, maybe just like mellow it out and spend more time swimming and just enjoying the ocean and doing other activities.”
As for motherhood with one arm, Hamilton said it will likely present challenges. However, she’s used to that and will learn to adjust and be creative.
Dirks said he and his wife are excited about the new adventure.
“I know I’m going to be there to support my wife and support our family and do what I can, you know. Whether it’s changing diapers on the beach while Bethany’s out there surfing some gnarly wave. I’m all for that,” he said in the video. “I’m just going to be really stoked to be a dad.”
The couple has not yet settled on a name.
On Halloween Day in 2003, at age 13, Hamilton was surfing at Tunnels on Kauai’s North Shore when a 14-foot tiger shark attacked and severed her left arm. Months later, the pro surfer was back competing, which was depicted in the movie, “Soul Surfer.”
Last year, Hamilton and Dirks competed against 10 other teams in the 25th season of the Emmy Award-winning reality TV series “The Amazing Race.” The Kauai couple made it through to the season finale and placed third overall.
