Shark attack surfer braves freezing seas off Sligo

A champion teenage surfer mauled by a 14ft tiger shark today swapped the tropical Hawaiian waters for ice cold seas off the Sligo coast.

Bethany Hamilton, 15, who lost an arm in the shark attack braved the freezing Irish waters on a day off from a trip around the world.

The teenager also took out time to trace her family roots with her father after taking a plunge in the freezing ocean.

“I’m stoked to see land all the way up the ocean and there are no hotels here. It's unbelievable!” she said. “And my dad is so happy to be able to see his roots - that’s really why we are here.”

The teenager, from Hawaii, is travelling the globe promoting her book, ‘Soul Surfer’, the tale of how she battled back to the world of surfing after surviving an horrific attack.

In the waters off Kauai island in Hawaii in October 2003, a 14ft tiger shark ripped off her left arm just below the shoulder.

But the teenager has spent the last 18 months fighting back and entering international competitions.

She is due to travel to Australia and Japan on the tour before more battles for success on the waves.

A film about her life starts production in January.