Watch: Albee Layer // Less Than Easy

Stu Nettle (stunet)
Reels

Might seem a cute metaphor calling Albee Layer a budding pilot; the fella likes to launch after all. Yet the 34-year old from Maui is training for his next chapter and it doesn't go ignored in his latest edit, Less Than Easy.

Lots of air time among the Maui glass, yet also a healthy mix of slabs and a solid section on Jaws. Including at 13:00 mins the send that stakes the territory for paddle surfers at Jaws. It wasn't made but it marks the bleeding edge of performance in XXL waves and would have those willing to step over the edge asking questions about board design, line choice, or anything else that increases the odds next time a wave like that rears over the reef.

Says Albee: "After living on this island for 33 years it can be easy to take everything about it for granted. Then every year it reminds me just how special it is. This year was no different. We worked really hard to look at waves with fresh eyes and new ideas and give our all to the spots that are a staple here.

"We got the best five day run of Jaws waves I've ever seen in my lifetime, ending with the biggest swell I have seen. Was something special."

Comments

Chaz Monday, 16 Jun 2025 at 03:58 pm

he got some balls!!!

gnomen Monday, 16 Jun 2025 at 10:02 pm

The board he rides on that dredging right hander in the first half of the clip looks so small for the power!

57 Tuesday, 17 Jun 2025 at 01:51 am

closing is so good, dont often stay to the end.

Island Bay Tuesday, 17 Jun 2025 at 04:46 am

Such a pleasure, on all sorts of levels. There's a lot to Albee.

That segment (~8min) with the long righthander in the hideous wind was heavy. Looked almost dry in places.

blackers Tuesday, 17 Jun 2025 at 11:45 am

Impressive.

saurusv1 Tuesday, 17 Jun 2025 at 11:55 am

If the criteria for greatness in surfing is to surf anything from 3 foot to 30 foot with outstanding competence this bloke has to be in the top 10 in the world!

Lanky Dean Tuesday, 17 Jun 2025 at 01:35 pm

Gnarlbee

Reform Tuesday, 17 Jun 2025 at 12:13 pm

A great lesson for keeping cool, maintaining composure, staying in the moment.
Observing Albee's take off skills on the moving mountains at Jaws, he seems to have the answer of how to analyse and compartmentalise time with micro-second sequencing.
Must have the heart rate on par with an Olympian!
Thoroughly enjoyed!

I focus Wednesday, 18 Jun 2025 at 03:00 pm

Always thought his boards looked better at Jaws than most others no doubt his talent accounts for a lot amazing surfer.

memlasurf Friday, 20 Jun 2025 at 12:05 pm

It worries me when he goes for the choke to kick start the plane. No efi?