Pro-surfer Peter Drouyn has been living life as Westerly Windina for the last ten years.
Pro-surfer Peter Drouyn has been living life as Westerly Windina for the last ten years.
Courtesy Jamie Brisick
In the 60s and 70s, Australian Peter Drouyn was one of the world's top surfers. He was Australian champion in 1970 and is credited with inventing today's 'man-on man' competition format.
In the 60s and 70s, Australian Peter Drouyn was one of the world's top surfers. He was Australian champion in 1970 and is credited with inventing today's 'man-on man' competition format.
Courtesy Jamie Brisick
Drouyn competing in the Australian titles at Coolangatta in 1966. Photo: John Pennings.
Drouyn competing in the Australian titles at Coolangatta in 1966. Photo: John Pennings.
Courtesy Jamie Brisick
"He challenged four-time world champion Mark Richards to a man-on-man showdown. He was flamboyant and theatrical," says surfing journalist Jamie Brisick.
"He challenged four-time world champion Mark Richards to a man-on-man showdown. He was flamboyant and theatrical," says surfing journalist Jamie Brisick.
Courtesy Jamie Brisick
Drouyn, now Westerly Windina, is surfing's only competitor of note to come out as transgendered.
Drouyn, now Westerly Windina, is surfing's only competitor of note to come out as transgendered.
Courtesy Jamie Brisick
"She referred to Peter, her former self, in the third person past tense. It was like I was talking to Peter's mother about her deceased child. She was charming, smart, witty, funny."
"She referred to Peter, her former self, in the third person past tense. It was like I was talking to Peter's mother about her deceased child. She was charming, smart, witty, funny."
Courtesy Jamie Brisick
"I felt a sort of kinship with her. I have felt like a pariah or an outcast in the surf world before. I know that she did too. That was common ground."
"I felt a sort of kinship with her. I have felt like a pariah or an outcast in the surf world before. I know that she did too. That was common ground."
Courtesy Jamie Brisick
Westerly with six-time world surfing champion Steph Gilmore at Surfing Australia's 50th anniversary.
Westerly with six-time world surfing champion Steph Gilmore at Surfing Australia's 50th anniversary.
Courtesy Jamie Brisick
Jamie Brisick's book traces Drouyn's journey to becoming Westerly Windina. "It's as if there's an abyss between male and female, and anyone that doesn't neatly fit into either one falls into a place where it's hard to get work, acceptance."
Jamie Brisick's book traces Drouyn's journey to becoming Westerly Windina. "It's as if there's an abyss between male and female, and anyone that doesn't neatly fit into either one falls into a place where it's hard to get work, acceptance."
Courtesy Jamie Brisick
Westerly's story has taught Brisick "that we are strange, complex and often contradictory creatures. That we need to be accepting of one another. That we are all just getting by."
Westerly's story has taught Brisick "that we are strange, complex and often contradictory creatures. That we need to be accepting of one another. That we are all just getting by."
Courtesy Jamie Brisick