Maui’s Albee Layer has a real fondness for the Jaws bowl. In fact, he’s carved out a reputation for owning it. However, yesterday, at Jaws, the Maui charger took a sickening wipeout almost paying the ultimate price.
Stretched out on hospital bed, on Instagram, he wrote:
“So I’m alive and luckily no fractures in my neck or spine tons or muscle and other damage but nothing that will stop me from a quick recovery. I feel like Jaws owes me one now. Really hope there’s a redemption swell before the year ends.”
I wonder how why more near misses like Albee’s there have been this North Hemi winter? It’s sure been a bonkers El Niño season with everywhere from Maui to California dropping anvils and sending surfers hurtling out of the sky.
Sure, there have been causalities; Mark Mathews’ busted wing, Garret McNamara’s ribs, Albee’s buckled body and then, at Pipe, Evan Geiselman, Owen Wright and Bede Durbo.
With the level of paddle in surfing having been pushed to the absolute max what comes next, death, glory or simply the momentum to go even bigger?
Tracks wishes Albee a speedy recovery and can’t wait to see him back charging the bowl.
Watch: Yesterday’s action at Jaws, raw and uncut here.
