Randall ‘The Vandall’ Harris Death, Obituary; a Wakeboarding Legend Randall ‘The Vandall’ Harris Passed Away Unexpectedly
The wakeboarding world—and far beyond—mourns the devastating loss of a legend: Randall “The Vandall” Harris. His death is not just the passing of a world-class athlete, but the silencing of a spirit that defied gravity, convention, and fear. He was truly one of a kind—on and off the water.
You didn’t need to be a wakeboarder to know that Randall was special. The moment he took to the wake, the atmosphere shifted. There was electricity in the air, a weight to his presence, a kind of magic that was impossible to ignore. Every move he made behind the boat was a mix of calculated rebellion and untamed artistry. He didn’t just ride—he owned the wake.
Randall Harris wasn’t merely a competitor. He was a pioneer. A rebel. A visionary. With his distinctive, aggressive style, he reshaped what wakeboarding could be. Long before the sport was mainstream, Randall was pushing limits most hadn’t even imagined. He carved his own path through uncharted waters, inspiring generations of riders to find their voice, ride hard, and never compromise. His influence echoes not just in contests or videos, but in the DNA of the sport itself.
And then there was the man behind the legend. Off the water, Randall was a force in his own right—deep-thinking, spiritual, complex, and raw. He was someone who lived by his own code, someone whose honesty could shake you, and whose authenticity drew people in like a current. He lived boldly, fully, sometimes recklessly, but always real—never watered down, never filtered.
We were honored to have Randall as part of the Axis family. When he chose to ride with Axis Wake, it wasn’t just about performance—it was about vision. The Vandall Edition A22 wasn’t just a signature model; it was a declaration. It was an extension of everything Randall stood for: bold individuality, fearless style, and unapologetic intensity. That boat wasn’t just built for wakeboarding—it was built for his wakeboarding.
Randall Harris was more than an athlete. He was a symbol of defiance, a craftsman of chaos, a master of style. His riding wasn’t polished—it was pure. And in that purity, he taught us something bigger than tricks and titles. He showed us that greatness isn’t about perfection—it’s about passion, grit, and soul.
His loss is immeasurable, but so is his legacy.
Randall leaves behind a wake—literal and metaphorical—that none can fill. He inspired not only wakeboarders but musicians, filmmakers, adrenaline junkies, and dreamers. He proved that greatness isn’t something you chase—it’s something you become by living true to who you are, no matter how loud the world tries to drown you out.
Though he’s no longer with us in body, his spirit will forever live on. In every spray of the water, in every silent sunrise over glassy lakes, in every rider who dares to ride differently—Vandall lives.
Rest easy, Randall Harris. The wake will never be the same without you.
You’ll never be forgotten.