Yallingup surfer’s double act

Seventeen year old Mikaela Greene, who is WA’s under-18 girls surfing champion, didn’t apply to be in the movie because of Year 12 commitments at school.

However, due to her similarity to one of the actresses in Drift, the producers thought she would the ideal surfer for the role and tracked her down.

Mikaela said she was over East supporting sister Eliza in a surfing competition when she got the call from the Drift producers.

“I was really ecstatic when they asked me and it was too big an opportunity to pass up,” she said.

“I was really looking forward to it, because I knew it was going to be a great experience.”

And, she said it lived up to expectations.

“The film crew was amazing – they made me feel like one of the team.”

Mikaela said filming was done over a couple of weeks in various locations and that she was directed to do specific manoeuvres for the cameras.

Although, she said surfing in Drift was a bit different to what she was used to.

“Because the film was set in the early 70’s I had to surf a single fin board, with no leg rope.”

Drift is a film about the start of the surfing industry in WA and follows the story of two brothers trying to make a living from their passion for surfing.

Filming for the moive was done in the South West and it will feature several surf spots from around the region.

A spokesperson for Drift said all the extras were cast for their look and Mikaela was also cast for her surfing ability.

“She was used as a ‘surf double’ for the character of Lani,” they said.

Lani, played by actress Lesley-Ann Brandt, is JB’s (played by Sam Worthington) travel companion in the film.

Mikaela thanked producers Tim Duffy and Dave Mandel for the opportunity and wished the film all the success in the world.

“I’m definitely looking forward to seeing it when it comes out,” she said.