Everyone knows the story of the girl who lost her arm to a tiger shark and somehow kept surfing. It's legendary. But while the world was watching Bethany Hamilton paddle back into the lineup with one arm, there were two guys right behind her who basically kept the whole operation from falling apart.
Her brothers. Noah and Timothy.
Honestly, if you watch the movie Soul Surfer, you get a Hollywood version of who they are. But the real-life dynamic is a lot more interesting. They weren't just background characters; they were her coaches, her protectors, and the ones who filmed her first waves back after the attack. Without them, the "Bethany Hamilton" the world knows might not exist.
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Meet the Hamilton Brothers: Noah and Timothy
Bethany is the youngest of three. Being the baby sister in a family of die-hard surfers in Kauai means you’re either going to be tough as nails or you're going not to survive the dinner table.
Noah Hamilton is the oldest. Born in 1981, he’s about eight years older than Bethany. Growing up, he was the one with the camera. If you’ve seen those grainy, early videos of Bethany surfing as a kid, that was likely Noah. He’s always had a bit of a protective, visionary streak.
Then you have Timothy (Timmy) Hamilton, the middle child. He’s closer in age to Bethany, born in 1986. Timmy was more of the classic competitive brother. They pushed each other. They paddled out together. When the shark attack happened on October 31, 2003, the family unit was tested in a way most people can't even fathom.
What Really Happened After the Attack
There's a misconception that Bethany’s recovery was this solo, miraculous journey. It was miraculous, sure, but it was a team effort.
Noah and Timmy were essentially her "PR" and "Security" before she even knew she needed them. While Bethany was in the hospital, Noah was the one managing the sudden, suffocating crush of media attention. He was barely in his early 20s. Imagine having the world’s cameras pointed at your little sister while she’s still healing from a traumatic amputation.
Noah actually took on the role of her personal photographer and videographer. He helped craft the narrative. He wanted to make sure the world saw her as a surfer, not just a victim.
Timmy’s role was a bit different. He was the guy in the water. In fact, it was Timmy who captured that iconic footage of Bethany catching her very first wave after losing her arm. He was there to cheer, but also to push. There was no "poor Bethany" attitude in that house. It was more like, "Okay, you've got one arm, now let's go catch a wave."
Noah Hamilton: The Man Behind the Lens
Noah didn't just stay "Bethany’s brother." He carved out a serious career for himself.
If you look at his portfolio today, he’s an established advertising and portrait photographer. He’s worked on huge film sets. You might even see his name in the credits for movies like Jurassic World (he worked as a prop master) and, of course, Soul Surfer.
He’s married to Becky, and they’ve stayed rooted in the Hawaii lifestyle. He’s often the one capturing the high-end imagery you see on Bethany’s social media or in her books. It’s a professional partnership that has lasted decades.
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Timmy Hamilton’s Health Battle: A Different Kind of Fight
While Bethany’s struggle was visible and physical, Timmy went through a "silent" battle that almost cost him his life. This is something many fans don't know about.
For years, Timmy was misdiagnosed. He thought he had Type 2 diabetes. He spent six years managing his health based on that information, but his body was actually breaking down. It turned out to be a much more complex situation.
In recent years, Timmy has been vocal about this journey, talking about the "valley" he went through. It's a reminder that the Hamilton family's "unstoppable" brand isn't just a marketing slogan—it's how they actually live. Timmy is married to Kyah, and they have kids of their own now, raising the next generation of "groms" in the surf.
Why Their Bond Still Matters in 2026
The reason people still search for "Bethany Hamilton brothers" is because there's something fascinating about a family that doesn't break.
In an era of "stage parents" and exploitative celebrity families, the Hamiltons are weirdly normal. They don't seem to be in it for the fame. You’ll see them all together in Kauai, just being a family.
- Noah handles a lot of the visual storytelling and business side.
- Timmy remains the spiritual and emotional backbone, often sharing his faith-based perspective on life's hurdles.
They’ve both appeared in her documentaries, like Unstoppable, where you see the raw footage of them as kids. They weren't just "supportive"; they were active participants in her training. They treated her like a fellow athlete.
The Takeaway: It’s All About the Ecosystem
If you’re looking for a "lesson" from the Hamilton brothers, it’s basically this: No one succeeds in a vacuum. Bethany is a freak of nature when it comes to talent and grit. But Noah and Timmy provided the ecosystem where that grit could grow. They gave her the space to fail and the protection to succeed.
If you want to follow their journeys more closely, you can actually find Noah’s photography work online—he’s got a massive archive of surf and lifestyle shots. Timmy often appears in Bethany’s "Unstoppable Life" programs, sharing his own insights on overcoming health crises.
Next time you see a photo of Bethany charging a 20-foot wave at Pe'ahi, look for the credits. Or look for the guy in the channel on a jet ski. Chances are, it's one of her brothers, still making sure she’s got the shot—and the backup—she needs.
Actionable Insights for Supporting Your Own "Unstoppable" People:
- Be the Documentarian: Like Noah, record the progress. Sometimes people need to see how far they’ve come through someone else's lens.
- Normalize the Struggle: Don't treat a loved one's disability or challenge like a tragedy. Treat it like a variable that needs a new strategy.
- Find Your Lane: Both brothers supported Bethany, but in totally different ways (one creative/business, one physical/relational). You don't have to do everything to be helpful.