On December 12, 2024, in New York, a man spent 57 days skateboarding from the western to the eastern United States, breaking the Guinness World Record for the fastest crossing of the United States on a skateboard.
According to a report from Guinness World Records on December 10, the man, named Chad Caruso, a resident of New York, set off from Venice Beach in California on March 24, traversing hot deserts towards the east, passing through plains, wilderness, highways, and cities big and small, eventually arriving at Virginia Beach in Virginia.
Caruso’s journey covered a distance of 3,162 miles (5,089 kilometers), taking a total of 57 days, 6 hours, and 56 minutes. This achievement earned him the Guinness World Record title for the fastest crossing of the United States on a skateboard (male).
During his trip, Caruso carried only a backpack, skateboarding for 10 hours each day, with an average distance of 55 miles (88.5 kilometers), pushing himself to his physical limits.
Throughout the journey, his shoes wore out, his clothes were washed dozens of times. He was chased by coyotes, got lost in the desert and had to backtrack. His body endured pain, including shin splints, scrapes, compressed nerves, a broken tooth, and even a moth flying into his ear.
Nevertheless, he persevered. Upon reaching the finish line at Virginia Beach, hundreds of people cheered for him, police escorted him, and local skateboarders accompanied him, which brought him overwhelming emotions.
To celebrate the completion of his journey, Caruso threw his skateboard into the ocean upon arrival at the finish line. Mayor Robert M. Dyer of Virginia Beach declared May 19 as Chad Caruso Day after delivering a speech.
Caruso, who has been skateboarding for 25 years, recalled his teenage years when he dropped out of school to skate. Over the years, he contemplated quitting the sport.
However, he stated that skateboarding helped him sober up nine years ago. His cross-country journey was aimed at raising awareness about addiction and mental health issues. He hopes his story will inspire others to do the same.
He said, “If you have a vision, believe in making it a reality, and don’t let others’ thoughts or opinions shake your determination.”