If you look close enough at those things, the things you hate…somewhere in there is where the meaning lies. I call it ‘popping the bubble’.
Chad Caruso is a skateboarder from Long Island, New York. When I was a kid I went to skate camp at Oil City Skatepark in Oceanside. Chad was one of the camp counselors. He was infamous for his wild antics and daring skating. Here’s a roof to roof varial heelflip circa 2004.
Chad started his YouTube career 7 years ago after he decided to get sober. Since, he has built a following of 80,000+ loyal subscribers. To this day Chad films all his videos on an iPhone. Chad notes that when he started he couldn’t afford to buy an iPhone. Chad posts trick tips and vlogs, with a focus on challenges.
In August of 2018 Chad began the New Trick EVERY DAY For A Month! challenge. In 2019 Chad upped the stakes with the 50 Tricks 50 States Skateboarding Challenge. Subscribers watched as he got up as many times as he fell. Gaining momentum, Chad encouraged others to get out and skate. Then the unexpected happened. Chad tore both his lateral and medial meniscus.
Post operation, Chad was couch bound for several months. During this time he wrote a book about his journey with sobriety.
In 2022 Chad got back on the board and re-learned tricks. In October, Chad headed to Moldova. He teamed up with Skate Aid to set up a skatepark / skate camp for the kids of Moldova and the refugees from Ukraine.
When he got back Chad began training for what would be his greatest challenge yet. Instagram followers received updates as Chad pushed longer and longer distances every week.
February 10, 2023 Chad posted a video titled I’m Skateboarding Across America. The video announced the vision Chad had for the past two years. At first he considered skating across Italy, but Covid closed borders. America was the obvious next step. Chad and loved ones were fearful about whether his body would hold up. Besides his recent menisci surgery, a decade earlier Chad had torn his acl and pcl. Chad stopped skating for years following that injury. He began partying and ended up falling into debt from DWI charges.
I started to make the better choices to set myself up for a better future.
Chad set up a GoFundMe in support of the trip:
I wouldn’t have been able to attempt this skate across the country without the energy and focus that sobriety has given me. The goal of this fundraiser is to highlight the importance of having something passionate in your life to focus on.
25% of the money raised will be donated to Natural High, a drug prevention nonprofit that inspires and empowers youth to find their natural high and develop the skills and courage to live life well.
True to Form
With a backpack, Chad solo vlogged everyday of his 3,000+ mile journey for the world to see. He completed the feat in 56 days, though the Guiness Book of Records has it recorded as 57 days.
As viewers cheered on, many came along the route to encourage or share a skate. Chad also encountered many folks who had no prior idea of his mission. More than anything Chad was a source of happiness everywhere he went. You could watch people glow as Chad shared his story.
the more I help myself and the better I become, that echoes throughout the community and the people I meet.
Although Chad navigated through many different places he found that every place he went; people showed him kindness.
As for the obstacles in his path; there were many. Often Chad had to reroute and skate several miles backwards to find pavement forward. Conditions were harsh from: desert sun, to howling wind and torrential rains. The biggest concern among everyone involved, besides his knees, were Chad’s wheels. Though he brought an extra set, once Chad made it through Texas he grew determined to make it the whole way. The wheels started to resemble a moldy cheese texture.
Chad was interviewed by Tony Hawk on the Hawk vs Wolf podcast. The skateboard legend himself asked why Chad didn’t switch the wheels out.
It makes it entertaining -like you're bombing the Appalachians: everyone's watching. You're like; are they gonna give out?
Chad also appeared on episode #283 of The Nine Club a few weeks before Hawk vs. Wolf.
Strong Finish
Chad’s route started in Venice Beach, CA and ended in Virginia Beach, VA. As he crossed the bridge into the city Chad met dozens of skaters and made the last push of the journey together. As Chad rolled through the finish line he grabbed his board and ran to the Atlantic. As he bathed in victory a swarm of reporters gathered at shore. Chad’s partner was there to congratulate him as reporters fired off questions.
Are you f*cking kidding me? Yeah!
A few weeks later Chad posted a video to Instagram. He’s recording a sneaky video when he gets down on one knee. Her response? See for yourself.
The Man
I am grateful for all that Chad has shared with the world. I drove to Montauk Film Festival to watch his documentary, Across America. During the Q&A I grilled him with questions and afterwards we got to chat. I told him about how his journey encouraged me through writing the first draft of my book. I also shared that I had begun my journey into sobriety. The light in Chad’s eyes and the ease of his smile were the same as in the videos. He is as humble as he is brave, and I am so happy and grateful him and I got to sit down to talk.
Ep. #19 - Keep Pushing: The Long Way Home