I just don't understand why everyone's raving about this guy, i mean he won rider of the year last year and a few other awards but i've never seen him on a podium?

So what you need to be on the podium now to be consider a great rider? <BR>Randall is a legend in the sport and he KILLS IT WITH MAD STYLE!! <BR>This thread should be a fun thread to watch!!

Tom, I feel the same way, yeah hes a good rider, but rider of the year? I dont think so. His grabs are cool, but nothing he does is very technical and from what I've seen he sucks on rails.

Coming 1st in every event is not what it's all about.

Just from what i've seen everything he does is wrapped?? And like Billy says, yeah he goes huge, but there's other guys out there like Rusty and Phil going huge, killing it on rails and doing crazy tech. I don't think its all about coming first either, but i think its about being a well rounded rider.

Watch a video section of his and listen to what the other pros say.

When I see a video of everybody else I say that is good riding. When I watch a video of Randall I am speechless.

I have asked Nicola the same question a few times. Just curious. Imagine me starting this thread. Lol. Dean Smith goes huge as well. HUGE.

before someone bites your head off, The thing about randall harris is that he is not a contest rider, he doesn't do tricks just because they are worth a lot of points, he does tricks, makes them his own, and takes them way out into the flats, review Fig. 1 [<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c6bw8ni6OBI&amp;eurl=http://video.google.com/videosearch?q=Randall&amp;hl=en&amp;sitesearch=" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c6bw8ni6OBI&amp;eurl=http://video.google.com/videosearch?q=Randall&amp;hl=en&amp;sitesearch=</a>] Randall Harris Rides at 95 feet out at 28 miles per hour, try it, it's crazy. Randall harris left wakeboarding for a while because of problem drinking etc. his return was historic. Review Fig. 2 [<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ThpLUKQlt-A&amp;feature=related" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ThpLUKQlt-A&amp;feature=related</a>] He rode like crazy even though he was gone for so long. Perhaps the most talked about video section ever was Randall harris' section in the classic wakeboarding film Natural Born Thrillaz, Review Fig. 3 [<a href="http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=2151400495731013701" target="_blank">http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=2151400495731013701</a>] Epic. <BR> <BR>I think one of the reasons for Randall being rider of the year is that just about every single well known rider will acknowledge Randall Harris as the best. theres a lot of Froggy haters, and I'd be pretty upset if Rusty won rider of the year, a lot of people dislike shane, and a lot of people love shane's style, you will [<b><i><u>almost</u></i></b>] always find Randy in someones top 3 favorite riders. <BR> <BR>(Message edited by hawk7 on July 28, 2008)

Tom and Billy, if you don't get it, you should probably quit wakeboarding and take up skiing or something. you are just wasting your time.

Of course there are other riders wrapping tricks and going big. But none of them go as big as Randall has for as long as he has. He is the reason those guys even aspire to do those types of tricks. <BR>If he was the only guy killing it then wakeboarding would be in a pretty terrible situation right now. But there are a ton of people killin it right now and Randall just happened to lead the way for many of them imho.

I think we can all agree that he had a crack at competitions and its not a matter of "he's not a contest rider" it's come down to that he can't actually keep up with these guys!! Trevor, wake up, almost every rider is taking things way out into the flats but you don't see them getting nearly as much exposure as "the vandall"

Billy and Tom...show some respect. I am only going to assume that you are both new to wakeboarding and maybe haven't grasped the concept of riding for yourself. Not for video parts, or sponsors, or props from your bros, and especialy not for podiums. When you can put on your board and everything else disappears, its just you and the wake, and then you do what makes you feel good, then you too may understand what is so great about Randall. For many riders, pro and amateur, Randall is the benchmark for going bigger, grabbing longer, and fully appreciating the stoke that wakeboarding can provide. To be fair, if hucked twirly-spinny things w-2-w make you all tingly inside and want to wakeboard more, then you have grasped this concept as well. To each their own, do what feels best, stay humble, and ride till the prop comes off. <BR>So..whats so great about Randall? He's helped me with wakeboarding frustrations way more than any instructional ever will; simply by putting things in perspective : be fortunate for what you have and make the best of it.

Randall is an O.G.... Literally. He is one of the very few riders still riding today that were involved in the "anti contest" push which has shaped this sport to what it is today. If you were around wakeboarding in its infancy you would have a much better understanding about what he did for the sport and how he rode. There is a reason that he is a legend and looked up to by so many of today's current leading riders (Lyman being one of them). <BR> <BR>Go check out a vid called "Natural Born Thrillaz". His section in there was absolutely Epic...especially for the time period. <BR> <BR>And if you think his tricks are easy go try one of those grabbed TS BS 3's 20 ft into the flats, then tell us how easy it is.

i don't think people understand how hard it is doing the stuff that he does under the conditions that he rides. he rides a 92 foot line at 26.5 or 27 mph(can't remember which one). when you watch him ride he always lands at least 10 feet to 15 feet out in the flatts. I know a lot of you guys on here are older and don't push your riding so its hard for you to understand riding that far back. i give props to anyone that can do a back side grabed 5 or 7 way out into the flatts like him. i don't care what anyone says randall kills it.

I like the guy's style. Rider of year...just an opinion you don't have to share it.

I CANNOT believe I jus saw this thread.... RANDALL IS THE MOST LEGIT RIDER OUT THERE!!!! END OF STORY. <BR> <BR>haha this guy right now...

THE REAL QUESTION HERE SHOULD BE IS "WHATS NOT SO GREAT ABOUT RANDALL". RANDALL IS THE 2 PAC OF WAKEBOARDING.<img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/clipart/rofl.gif" border=0>

This is going to get heated. <BR> <BR>Tom W also created a brand new user name just for this post. 4 total posts!?!?! Come on. <BR> <BR>This shows your true colors. <BR> <BR>Billy G has 8 total posts. <BR> <BR>We see through your BS agendas. Trust me on that one. <BR> <BR>Don't let him suck you in guys.

Tom I cant believe you even question Randalls abilities! He is not a contest rider. And if you ask most of the pros they don't even like riding in contests. Contests are not what makes you a good rider. Randall has the most style and steeze in the buisness. I would like to see you ride a 90 foot rope and have the speed at 28 mph. Randall is the O.G. of wakeboarding! If they were to set the contests up to fit his style he would be on the top of the podium every time. Do your homework, wakeboarding is all about style and lifestyle, and having fun and I think Randall sums it all up with his riding. I also agree with proho.

you should have seen it in Reno at the tour stop. Everyone was partying it up at the casino including the big time pros, Randall walked thru and it got quite. Everyone has so much respect for him. <BR> <BR>He rode well in that contest. But due to his style he doent finsih as high. He does the tricks he wants to that make him stoked and becuase of his line being so long he cant get as many tricks in as others. I'm pretty sure he even rides a little shorter line for contests too and the boat is a little slower than his norm.

nice vlx. i guess its this dudes mind messing with each other

"To be fair, if hucked twirly-spinny things w-2-w make you all tingly inside and want to wakeboard more, then you have grasped this concept as well. To each their own, do what feels best, stay humble, and ride till the prop comes off." <BR> <BR>Agreed. I See comments like, "why is randall so great" "rusty danny and parks go big" which is plain disrespect full and also a lie, rusty danny and parks ride w2w just like everyone else except on special occasions. seriously, watch those videos, before you post up your next comment. <BR> <BR>Edit: "Everyone was partying it up at the casino including the big time pros, Randall walked thru and it got quite. Everyone has so much respect for him." <BR> <BR>at the premier of the movie Natural Born Thrillaz, Parks, Bowed Down to Randall Harris because his riding was just so shocking and revolutionary. <BR> <BR>(Message edited by hawk7 on July 28, 2008)

I believe Nick on that one. I was at the Malibu meeting last November. Randall was there. I have partied/ridden with my share of pros and I was intimidated by him. I mean its Frickin Randall Harris! I think I managed to get out a few words here and there.

4 Posts ? what do you really know about wakeboarding ?

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Because im new to WW means i don't know anything about wakeboarding? Sorry i don't rush home from work and spend the night glued to my computer. i just came on here to see peoples point of view and i see i've stirred a few emotions. Some of you should just calm down.

ahhh so funny. he is a true wakeboarder. he has originality. he doesnt conform to the mold the industry has for it's riders. he has also paved the way along with riders josh smith, eric schmaltz and many others to have freeride/ video/ photo careers. <BR> <BR>randall rider of the year, ben greenwood rider of the year finally things are changing. i respect them and the job they do. how fun can it be riding every weekend at <font color="ff0000">•</font><font color="ff0000">•</font><font color="ff0000">•</font><font color="ff0000">•</font><font color="ff0000">•</font><font color="ff0000">•</font> venues, with <font color="ff0000">•</font><font color="ff0000">•</font><font color="ff0000">•</font><font color="ff0000">•</font><font color="ff0000">•</font><font color="ff0000">•</font> conditions because a suit wants to see you in the top 5.

your right VLX, I don't know how I got sucked into this thread, but I had to respond to defend my Bro.

<img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/messages/65919/606714.jpg" alt="Upload"> <BR> <BR>That's all I have to say about that.......

Just seems that if your occupation is a wakeboarder, you should have some knowledge of what type of rider he is. Unless that is not your real occupation. And as to telling us to calm down, what did you expect with a ridiculous thread post like that anyway.

Back when I was a newbie, I said the same thing. "Yeah he goes big, but he's not technical." <BR> <BR>Then I started to realize that he actually is technical, just in a different way. He takes tricks into the flats that the other guys (the guys that you probably consider to be technical) don't. You'll notice that many (not saying all) of the best contest riders don't take Crow Mobes, much less Skeezers, into the flats. Tannys to blind, back 5s, and many other techy tricks are most often wake to wake tricks. Very few riders take all of their tricks as big as they can, every time. <BR> <BR>So, you probably think Benny G is nothing special too I bet, because he's not a top contest rider?

What's so great about you? Until you actually know what your talking about.....

Back in the day, Randall was a contest rider, placing high at Pro Tour events and at Worlds. But I assume that as he got older, his priorities changed when it came to riding. Nothing wrong with that, he just does what feels good to him. <BR> <BR>I've had the privilege of seeing Randall ride in person, and he's exciting to watch because you never know what you're going to see other then the fact that he'll grab every trick he does and throw's it BIG. My all time favorite video section to watch is his parts in May Day and NBT.

HH99, reminds me of "Nice Face, Where'd You Get It, The Toilet Store?!?" <BR> <BR>I'm starting to think this is Joe Umali Sr... I don't think I've ever known a legit rider, thats seen video of Randall, and still thought, hey there are better riders.

This is Jacob <BR> <BR>Hey Tom. come on now. are you really serious. that is one of the stupidist things i have ever heard. I guess you havn't seen any movies or any shots of randall, but I am telling you, that guy is nuts. I rode with him the second day he strapped a board back on. He rode behind a 210 with hardly any weight and he was still throwing down. It does not matter if you are on the podium, Randall is a legand. There are so many sic riders that dont make podium and they have shots in the mags, and crazy video sections. So I guess what my point is....don't hate on Randall, he is my friend, my team mate and one of the siccest riders I have ever watched ride.

I have worked next to Randall for the last 5 years, sold his boards, set him up at the table for autograph signings, broke bread with him, and been in the boat too many times to count. You coudn't ask for a more genuine person than him. More style and grace in his little finger than most people will ever acheive in this sport. Cutting him down is like cutting down the whole wakeboarding scene. It doen't take being on the podium to be one of the most influential people in this sport. It takes respect from your peers, and he has earned that for the last ten years.

Lol trevor how many times did you say that quote this weekend lol. <BR> <BR>And steven, that is all that needs to be said.

I have worked next to Randall for the last 5 years, sold his boards, set him up at the table for autograph signings, broke bread with him, and been in the boat too many times to count. You coudn't ask for a more genuine person than him. More style and grace in his little finger than most people will ever acheive in this sport. Cutting him down is like cutting down the whole wakeboarding scene. It doesn't take being on the podium to be one of the most influential people in this sport. It takes respect from your peers, and he has earned that for the last ten years. He's getting the exposure that he deserves.

When you ask 8 out of 10 pro riders who their favorite rider is? their answer always includes Randall. THAT is what is so great about Randall!

RANDALL is for sure my favorite rider. no one else inspires my riding like HIM.

Tom, do you feel the same way about Scott Byerly or Shawn Murray?

Tom. Study Up. <img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/clipart/crazy.gif" border=0> <BR> <BR>When Randall Harris is done wakeboarding, he doesn't drop the handle. He pulls the boat to a stop. <BR>The discrepency between magnetic north and true north is caused by Randall spinning off axis. This is known as magnetic declination or, simply, The Vandall Effect. <BR>Randall did not appear in Gravity Sucks because he's not affected by gravity. <BR>Chuck Norris wears Randall Harris pajamas. <BR>In August of 2005 Randall Harris went wakeboarding in the Gulf of Mexico for the first time. Few expected the levees to break in New Orleans. <BR>Randall Harris dosent pop off the wake. He pushes the earth down beneath him. <BR>Randall Harris doesn't wear a life vest. That's a lead vest to make sure he does eventually come down. <BR>Randall Harris works for Google Earth in his spare time. He takes the pictures. <BR>Randall Harris didn't take a two-year "break" from wakeboarding. Wakeboarding requested a two-year stress-related leave of absence from Randall Harris. <BR>Randall Harris doesn't need to wet down sliders. They see him coming and wet themselves.

Trevor, are you saying Randall and Chuck Norris are the same person? Funny, I've never seen them together. Interesting!

Jrod <BR>That is exactly what I was thinking about Benny G!

TREVOR, haha <img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/clipart/rofl.gif" border=0> <BR> <BR> So true it hurts..

and he doesnt do all his spins wrapped. even though his wrapped spins look super sick! like he does switch toe 7s and backside 7s normal. and its not like he cant do normal spins, lets see you do a wrapped heel 9 off a double up way in the flats goin 28 mph and 92 feet of rope... yea pretty tough isnt it? <BR> <BR>(Message edited by benj_t on July 28, 2008)

Les D. Those are from the randall harris vs. Chuck norris contest that was held on this website. <BR> <BR>On, his birthday, Randall Harris carefully selects one lucky pro tour judge to be thrown into the sun.

He's great just for the fact that he rocked solbound's for so long!

i'm not a die hard randall fan but the man is a legend. there was a reason there was all the buzz ab him strapping it back on. if you can't appreciate the things the man does on a board then you really truely dont know what you're watching. what he does looks simple but when you play it back and watch it in slow mo it'll blow your mind. he dropped a few bangers in drive that i've never seen anyone else even try let alone do then into the flats and then come back and do the same thing switch???

I think his natural born thillaz section is amazing...especially for the time. But i don't think he is as good now as he was then. Ya he still goes big...but the difficulty of the tricks he does has gone down. I think the sport needs him and he is still a good rider...but yes i do think there are better riders in the sport right now. And i don't think hes God like everyone else does.

Randall, Necrason, Lyman, Mark Kenney . . . . . anyone out there ever skip or fast forward thru one of their video sections?

I usually stay far away from these conversations, but I feel the urge to say a few words I hope this makes sense. I agree and disagree about wakeboarding's "Legitimacy" amongst the rest of action sports, but wakeboarding is still considered part of Action Sports, so I think it is fair to do a little comparison every now and again. Look at MotoCross/SuperCross there were guys that were fast racers and decided to pursue Freestyle, does that make them any less of an athlete. When looking at the surfing world you have guys who dominate the podiums of surf contests and guys who get exposure and don’t do many contests at all, then you have big wave surfers who are considered legendary. Looking at snowboarding’s history there are films that have sold in large volume featuring guys that don’t step or rarely step foot into a contest. I feel that many active participants in wakeboarding get the clue, but a large number don’t. But seriously, how many people have the time or the patience to memorize everything wakeboarding and/or multiple other activities. Only the obsessed! And I say that with all respect to those who dedicate their time and brain cells to that. I have to point out that Jacob said it very well about Randall, and I have to add that not only is he an ambassador to the sport, but to faith. So to those who doubt look deeper than that of podiums and contest/ tour standings. Sorry for being so long I always hate reading long postings. MM

hes cool <BR>but seriously, he needs to get some new tricks <BR>all his video sections seem to be the same

Ahh, I didn't read all of this--I stopped at "He can't keep up with all of these guys" because that was enough to incite a response. I have to say, randall never kept up with anyone--he blazed his own trail, while keeping stylistic influences from people like josh smith at the front of his mind. Nobody--NOBODY, rides like him. And he's seriously a god send to wakeboarding, in terms of aesthetics, style, and how poetic wakeboarding can actually look when you have someone with serious board control. Maybe it comes down to riding style and what you prefer to see go down when someone's on a wakeboard...but to see how large randall goes and the board control he has...he's just a boardsman who's incredibly gifted. He has personality when he's on a board and he doesn't look like a robot when he's riding. He's just a little bit more entertaining and stylish than the rider who simply cuts back and forth, doing trick after trick across the wake as though they're practicing their contest run. When I watch him, I think he rides to ride. <BR> <BR>Beyond that, I guess it's hard to describe or appreciate. But I will say that when he made his comeback at the Nationals in 2006, he was one of maybe two riders (keith lyman being the other) who literally made the crowd gasp when he hit the wake, and it was kind emotional for a fan like myself to actually see first hand. I seriously think that's a huge testament to the presence this rider brings to the water.

^^^blake -> Going double wake to wake is pretty frickin new if you ask me. If you have no idea what I am talking about, maybe you should get some popcorn and pop in Transgression.

not so naked chef just brought a tear to my eye.

On the PWT all the riders are chilling in the riders tent, when Randall goes off the dock the riders tent is empty, their all on the shore watching, you don't see that for any other rider. That's how much respect he commands.

Way to brake it down electricsnow. <BR> <BR><img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/messages/65919/606777.jpg" alt="Upload">

hell yea. i dont know why people beef on wrapped <font color="ff0000">•</font><font color="ff0000">•</font><font color="ff0000">•</font><font color="ff0000">•</font><font color="ff0000">•</font><font color="ff0000">•</font><font color="ff0000">•</font> would way rather see a wrapped fully grabbed 7 or sw toeside 540 than half the <font color="ff0000">•</font><font color="ff0000">•</font><font color="ff0000">•</font><font color="ff0000">•</font><font color="ff0000">•</font><font color="ff0000">•</font> see in other riders parts.

To me there is nothing better then seeing a HUGE poked out (insert grab) blind 180 into the flats. I like simple tricks that riders take huge. Who cares if he doesn't do a pete rose, he is the vandall.

I like the Vandall because he rides for the sake of riding. He is a rider's rider. His riding makes me stop what I am doing and watch one of his video parts even though I have seen it a hundred times. The same applies for Benny G and Lyman, they have something that others don't and you aren't going to see those guys on many podiums either. I skip many of the other riders sections consistently and some of them could be on a podium almost any week.

Randall Harris is awesome. I dont think the PWT is a good arena to judge riding at all. As the wake that boats put out have grown, I feel like most riders have cut at the wake less and less. After watching the finals videos, it still looks like a bunch of wake to wake tricks and one trick to the flats (bs180, indy glide, etc) for the amplitude scores. I know ropes have gotten longer and wake to wake is further than it was 5 yrs ago, but the boat wake has also gotten much bigger and I wish more riders would CUT AT THE WAKE on the PWT. Going high is what makes me want to wakeboard and to me that is what makes pro riding awesome. It seems like there are very few people who even try to do this on the PWT.

tom, <BR>i really think the best way for you to "get it" is to go watch him at a live event next to everybody else. i don't think even the videos do him justice. i think then the light bulb would go off, your jaw would drop, and you would feel pretty embarrassed by your original comment. i challenge you to do it. <BR> <BR>this coming from somebody who has not seen him ride live myself. <BR>(note to self: go watch randall ride soon. and lyman)

I haven't read every post, but I scrolled through and I didn't see anybody mention that he goes as big as he does riding at speeds approaching 30 MPH and riding line lengths nearly 100 feet. I think I have read that he rides at 28 mph and I have seen him say up to 98 feet and he has said that he would an even longer line if the wake was firm and clean. If you are new to the game, you will learn to respect him and what he and others have done for this sport. What he has done for the sport has been accomplished behind the boat, not hoisting a trophy over his head on a podium.

yea meeting randall and watching him ride was one of the coolest thing ive ever done

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tom just lost all past present and future credibility on this board and then some. <BR> <BR>Jacob and no he doesnt know what he is talking about obviously

To add to something which was said above, Podiums aren't everything. Take Lyman for instance, he is one of the baddest riders around, along with many others that don't see podiums. You have contest riders and then you have non contest riders, and then their are those elites like Randall Harris and a few others. That pic of him behind the Nautique is insane.

until you can outride Randall don't bash him... <BR> <BR>I see soooo much of that on WW, people tearing riders that are 100x better than they will ever be down just because.... <BR> <BR>Its amazing that even though he isn't #1 on the podium every week EVERYONE who wakeboards knows him.

Randall the Vandall is the man, hitting a double up at 28mph, behind a 90 foot rope and pulling off some of the most stylish and longest tricks and grabs i have ever seen. Wakeboarding is not about contest its a lifestyle. Him and Kieth Lyman go bigger than anyone on the water. You have to give a person credit that approaches the sport with that much intensity

you arent a wakeboarder if you dont respect how randall rides. period

All I can say is "Switch". I like it when riders land tricks regular then go and learn it switch. Like someone else said a "Real OG". <BR> <BR>I can't knock people for not liking his style, but respect the skill. You don't see your favorite riders throwing those hammers.

all im going to say is you have balls my friends. you have balls to question randall's riding ability. learn a little more about the sport, then ask this question again

Questioning Randalls Skills is BLASPHEMY!! <BR> <BR>I hadn't realized I had been called out earlier in this thread: Tom, The Tricks that "everyone" takes to the flats are tricks that must be taken to the flats [with the exception of the backside 180] try to find someone that will do a wake to wake raley, it's just not going to happen, look for a wake to wake heelside frontflip, it's almost impossible. <BR> <BR>btw, "Who cares if [Randall Harris] doesn't do a pete rose, he is the vandall." actually, in NBT he does a grabbed pete 5 off a dub into the flats.... just sayin... <img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/clipart/happy.gif" border=0> <BR> <BR>"yeah he goes huge, but there's other guys out there like Rusty and Phil going huge" that's just a <b>LIE</b> like I said, Rusty will only take his Nuke Glides into the flats, if you watch closely you can see him <i>case</i> the wake on just about every trick he does, Edit: other than the raley based ones. <BR> <BR>"tom just lost all past present and future credibility on this board and then some" agreed, it's funny to be on the other side of one of these... <img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/clipart/uhoh.gif" border=0> <BR> <BR>(Message edited by hawk7 on July 28, 2008)

Nick Tomsyck said it perfectly....i agree theres two much hate on riders who are way better than everyone here. Stop the hate and appreciate what every rider does for the sport regardless on weather you like their style.

every pro has their own style. i can respect each and ever one of them. i may like a certain style more but to bash a pro riders stle is pretty lame. if you can't ride as good as the pro...then you have no place to talk <BR> <BR>with that said, i love randalls style. and i think a lot of people see his grab 180-540s...(which dont get me wrong, are very steezy) and they completely overlook the fact that he can throw wrapped heelside 9s, backside 7s, ts backroll fs 540s, etc.

Way to go guys!! Im glad this horrible thread was turned from negative to positive. Randall is a legend! Tom W.....you suck at life and you need to do some research on wakeboarding before you start stupid threads like this. You just dont get it.

Maaaaaaaaaaaaan Im glad i caught this at the end. I would not have been as tactful as most of you if i i caught it at the top. <BR>Trevor, you're awesome man.

STYLE, STYLE, STYLE. If someone were to ask a wakeboarder who actually knows what he's talking about who the 1 rider is that epitomizes style, 95% of the people would say Randall. I could have said a lot more but its all been supported above. W$R