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AP PHOTO/MATT SAYLES
Surfer Bethany Hamilton competes during the U.S. Open of Surfing in Huntington Beach, Calif. on Thursday, July 23, 2009.
OCEANSIDE, Calif. >> Bethany Hamilton, who lost her left arm in a shark attack in 2003, heads the field in the Association of Surfing Professionals 6-Star Ford Supergirl at the Oceanside Pier on Friday through Sunday.
The Ford Supergirl Pro will serve as the lone women’s ASP qualifying event scheduled in North America for 2013 and plays a critical role for surfers looking to solidify their position on the 2014 ASP Women’s World Championship Tour.
When Hamilton was 13, a 14-foot tiger shark ripped off her left arm while she was surfing with friends in Hawaii. The film "Soul Surfer" was the inspirational tale of Hamilton’s recovery.
Produced by ASA Entertainment, Supergirl is the world’s largest women’s surfing contest with 100 pros entered.
Among the top surfers entered are Carissa Moore, Lakey Peterson, Coco Ho, Laura Enever and Sage Erickson.
