“Just Another Bodysurfer:” A Trans Athlete’s Message of Joy, Peace, and Belonging

For Tyler Wilde (he/they), bodysurfing is a way of life. He’s up before the sun every morning, chasing wave crests to suspend himself in for fleeting moments under a pink, glowing sky. “No matter who you are,” he says, “you deserve to see that kind of beauty.”

Tyler has found a profoundly healing form of acceptance in bodysurfing: not just in the ocean’s indifference, but also in the community surrounding the sport. It was a crucial grounding force for him as he connected with his truest self and eventually came out as transgender.

“When I was a kid,” says Tyler, “I was just living my life the way I wanted to live it. Now I feel like I’m returning back to that childlike self, and experiencing joy in a childlike way.”

“I think people need to see trans people everywhere, but as regular people…We’re not just, like, a news bulletin.”

The world is granted an intimate look at this journey in Gender Outlaw: A Bodysurfing Story. Filmmaker Peter Williams, having witnessed the positive ripple effects of Tyler’s message of empowerment, persuaded Tyler to share his story with the world.

“I was apprehensive to have my personal story out there, especially in the current political climate and social warring,” said Tyler. But he describes the response thus far as nothing but good vibes, stoke, and love. “I'm pretty impressed with how well it has been received in surf communities, especially with some of the discourse that is happening over trans athletes on social media.”

“I think people need to see trans people everywhere, but just as regular people that live their lives and have passions and can thrive and find joy. We’re not just, like, a news bulletin.”

“No matter who you are, you deserve to see that kind of beauty.”

At its core, Gender Outlaw is simply about existing in the joyful experience of a surfing life. It’s about resilience, athleticism, patience, persistence, and love. It’s about showing up for your community and for yourself.

“I’m just another bodysurfer,” Tyler reflects. “There are plenty of bodysurfers who are supremely skilled, and it doesn’t matter how old they are, their gender, where they came from; they just know how to read a wave.”

The film is now streaming on Vimeo and making the festival rounds worldwide. You can watch the trailer below.

In honor of Tyler’s story, we encourage you to support the most marginalized members of the trans community by donating to the TransLatin@ Coalition.

Gender Outlaw is a production by Cross Step Content.