By New York Post (U.S.) | Created at 2024-12-14 21:12:03 | Updated at 2024-12-14 23:57:35
2 hours ago
Two exhausted skateboarders rolled into Times Square on Saturday — ending an arduous 76-day journey across the US.
An ecstatic crowd greeted Jay VanPorppal and Orio Ramirez in the tourist hotspot to celebrate the incredible feat, which the pair dedicated to charity.
“Thank you, God!” VanPorppal shouted as supporters swarmed the pair.
“And we’re not better than any of ya’ll either. We all came out the womb!”
VanPorppal and Ramirez, both 25, have been skating ever since they pushed off from Los Angeles on Sept. 30 — often clocking in 20-mile days in all types of weather and terrain.
The “Push to NYC” was brainstormed earlier this year as a passion project for the duo — both of whom are lifelong skaters — but quickly evolved into a means of sharing their love for the sport.
The pair — who boast a combined 500,000 Instagram followers — capitalized on the thousands who were tuning in to follow their daily vlog posts about the journey. Raising money along the way, 100% of the funds will be put toward donating skateboards to kids who can’t afford them.
VanPorppal and Ramirez also drew inspiration from Chad Caruso, who set a world record in 2023 for crossing the continent via skateboard in 57 days. The pair originally estimated their travels would closely mirror Caruso’s, but quickly discovered the feat would be much more grueling.
In recent weeks, the duo got caught in rainstorms and below-freezing temperatures that plagued the Northwest.
Oftentimes exhausted, the pair took breaks just off the side of the road, before inevitably jumping back on their boards to clock in more miles.
They even had to swap out their destroyed and cracked wheels, which crumbled from the extreme overuse.
“I’m tired, I’m exhausted. I went through so many emotions. The cold and the dark woods, the cold and the rain and the snow and the hails and the heat and everything, bro,” VanPorppal said just before coasting into the Big Apple.
“Thank you all for an amazing journey. Thank you all for changing my life. Thank you so much for showing me — I’m just able to see the world, how beautiful it is and all this, bro. I get to be here and skateboard across the whole country.”
