Film explores Peter Drouyn's transformation

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Peter Drouyn's gender transformation into Westerly Windina subject of film

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 12 December, 2012 : - - Westerly is a feature length documentary film about surf icon Peter Drouyn and his controversial metamorphosis into Westerly Windina. Peter Drouyn was one of surfing's first superstars. A true visionary, he dominated the international competitive ranks in the '60s and '70s, changed the way modern surf competition are run, and introduced surfing to China. He was an actor, a lawyer, a father, a ladies' man, an ideas man and most of all, an entertainer.

But there was much that Peter Drouyn kept private. During his competitive years, he was hypersensitive and introspective amid a culture that was often macho, myopic, and sexist. For most of his career he felt ostracized. In the '80s he drifted away from competitive surfing and all but disappeared.

In 2002, Peter suffered a traumatic surfing accident that nearly drowned him. Not long after, Peter's feminine side fully emerged. "It was a supernova," said Westerly. "It just kicked in one night, and suddenly Peter went, Westerly was there."

In 2008, Peter Drouyn announced on Australian national television that he was living as a woman. His new name, she said, was Westerly Windina. The surf community—and Australia in general—was astonished. Since then, Westerly has been living in public housing on Australia's Gold Coast. Her life is not easy. She is alone, poor, and often taunted by her neighbors.

We will explore Westerly's past as a man, document her upcoming gender-reassignment operation in Thailand, and follow her post-op as she acclimates to the newest chapter of her enigmatic journey.

Currently the project is seeking funding via Kickstarter. At the moment there are four days left to fund this project to reach the goal of $50,000.

FROM WESTERLY TO PETER

Introducing 62-year-old surfer Westerly Windina! In addition to spending time with Westerly, we meet her family, friends and son. Using Westerly's memories of Peter, we will follow Peter Drouyn's rise to fame as a surfer and interview Peter's contemporaries, showcasing Peter's illustrious career - from 1964 Australian Junior Champion to international acclaim in the early ‘70s. We will also explore Peter's influence on surfing: from surfboard design, to Bob Evan’s 1973 film "Drouyn", to Peter’s invention of Man-on-Man surfing at the 1979 Stubbies Classic at Burleigh Heads in Australia’s sunshine state, Queensland.

Check The Full Project on Kickstarter

www.kickstarter.com

Source: Kickstarter

Author: The Editors

Tags: Peter Drouyn, Man-on-man-surfing, Westerly Windina

Video: Surfersvillage