Chad Caruso, man who skateboarded across America, relives experience in new movie
Almost two years ago, Chad Caruso (USA) flipped off his skateboard and into the ocean in Virginia Beach, Virginia, USA, after riding 3,162 miles across the country carrying just a bag, his board, and a dream.
On 19 May 2023, he became the Guinness World Records title holder for the fastest crossing of America (USA) on a skateboard (male), a journey that took him 57 days, six hours, and 56 minutes to complete. Along the way, he passed through deserts and Appalachian hills, dirt roads and paved highways, and relied on help from friendly passersby and generous business-owners to get through the gruelling trip.
Chad completed the trek to raise awareness for addiction and mental health problems, and he credits skateboarding with giving him an outlet for his own struggles. Although he’s been sober for over nine years, he compares his journey with sobriety to his journey across America – not easy, but worth every step.
And now, he’s sharing his record-breaking story with the world, in a full-length feature documentary entitled Across America available at his YouTube channel.
In celebration of Chad’s tremendous achievement, we asked the skateboarder a few questions about his life on and off the road.
GWR: Congratulations again on your incredible ride! How are you feeling after your trip, are there any injuries you’ve been nursing?
Chad: The trip definitely took a toll on my body, but seeing how many people it’s inspired makes it all worth it. It took nearly two years for the pain in my feet to fade, and now I’m scheduled for knee surgery in two weeks. It’s hard to say if skating across America was the main cause, but I imagine pushing over 3,000 miles in two months didn’t help things.
Chad's worn-out shoes during the attempt
GWR: Do you miss being out on the road?
Chad: There’s something about being out there alone that feels like home. I’m not sure whether it’s the freedom, the people I meet, or just simply being outside but yes, I do miss it.
GWR: I’m sure it's hard to choose, but is there one specific memory you keep thinking about after you've finished your trip?
Chad: The final day will always hold a special place, but I often think back to a random Amish man I met. It was such a wholesome and honest moment. Two completely different worlds, equally curious about the other’s way of life.
GWR: Tell us about the movie — who helped you create the film? Were they following you the entire time?
Chad: My longtime friend, John Testa (Sixth Cents), directed and edited the film. The trip itself was completely solo – he only flew out twice to capture footage and then pieced the story together. He did an incredible job of being ‘a fly on the wall’ and preserving the isolated nature of the journey.
GWR: Is there anything you couldn't include in the movie that you wanted to?
Chad: After the trip, Tony Hawk asked if he could hang my board on his wall. That would’ve been an amazing scene, but it didn’t fit the flow of the film. Still, it was a surreal full-circle moment for me.
GWR: Any other words of advice for record holders trying to turn their accomplishments into a similar creative endeavor — such as making a movie, writing a book, or sharing their story on social media?
Chad: There’s always a deeper reason behind why we chase big goals. If you can look inward and be honest about that, people will connect to it. When I shared my journey through daily YouTube vlogs, it stripped down a huge challenge and showed anyone it was possible if they were willing to put in the work.
Congratulations again on your accomplishment and your movie, Chad – you are Officially Amazing!
Header image: Josh Katz