Skateboarder To Start 3,000-Mile Cross-Country Journey In Venice

VENICE, CA — Veteran skateboarder and stuntman Chad Caruso is planning to skateboard his way across the United States, starting this Friday at Venice Beach Skatepark.

The 3,000-mile trek is part of Caruso's ambitious journey to set a new Guinness World Record and raise awareness for mental health and youth addiction. Caruso's epic voyage will end at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront for the first U.S. JACKALOPE fest in June.

“Skateboarding has been an invaluable asset in helping me stay on track after a difficult period in my life,” Caruso said. “Without the vigor and concentration sobriety has allowed me to nurture, I wouldn’t have been able to attempt this skate across the country. This journey serves as a platform for raising awareness about the importance of having something passionate to focus on in life.

Fans and fellow skateboarders are invited to accompany Caruso on the first mile of his journey on March 24 at 10 a.m. For the rest of the excursion, Caruso will meet with more people along the way until he reaches his final destination and celebrates at the festival from June 2 to 4.

In connection with Caruso's voyage, the skateboarder is raising funds for his journey as well as addiction awareness. Caruso himself has been sober for six years and he said that decision has changed his life for the better.

Caruso's GoFundMe campaign has a goal of $10,000 with $6,042 already raised as of Tuesday. According to the skateboarder, 25 percent of the money raised from the fundraiser will be donated to a drug prevention nonprofit named Natural High.

To donate to Caruso's cause visit his fundraiser page.