LA to NY

Jason Vanporppal is embarked on an incredible cross-country journey. The 25-year-old is skateboarding nearly 3,000 miles from Los Angeles to New York City.

What began as a spontaneous journey to traverse the United States with a friend has evolved into a mission to raise funds for 1,000 skateboards for underprivileged kids. 

“We are discovering a lot about ourselves,” Vanporppal mentioned in a discussion with Cowboy State Daily. “It feels like meditating each day, and you discover yourself and contemplate what comes next after this.

“My friend and I want to continue doing what we’re doing — whether that means skating across the country or finding a different approach. I dream of establishing a nonprofit to fund skateboards for kids worldwide.”

Vanporppal, who has been creating vlogs for over ten years, has thoroughly documented the journey on YouTube and other social media channels. 

Always upbeat, Vanporppal’s commentary is frequently infused with humor, positivity, and gratitude for everything he skates past.

However, that doesn’t imply Vanporppal and his travel companion, Gregorio “Orio” Ramirez, have been without struggles throughout their adventure. 

The pair has maintained their optimism despite challenging landscapes, extreme weather, aching muscles, intense blistering, and an injury.

They’ve worn orange vests to ensure they are visible while skating through hunting zones and even discovered a new path after being informed by Missouri police that it’s illegal to skate their initial route in the state.

Many New Connections

Overall, Vanporppal remarked that the journey has been enriched by wonderful people and moments. 

Although they intended to camp during their travels, generous strangers have offered to accommodate the duo, providing lodging in hotels and aiding by blocking traffic and transporting their bags. 

“(It highlights) the true nature of people outside the realms of social media or negative events, as you witness the goodness while engaged in something like this,” Vanporppal stated. “People are incredibly supportive. We made many good friends along the way and now share a deep connection with them.”

Though their journey did not take them through Wyoming, Vanporppal expressed that the scenery in nearby Colorado surpassed all other sights he’s witnessed thus far. 

Skateboarding across Colorado is not for the faint-hearted. Their path included a 10,000-foot elevation gain, along with snow and icy roads. 

“Just being out there and seeing the snow, we ended up pushing through it for a while, and the mountains were simply stunning,” he shared. “We skated in the snow for hours, and our boards became covered in ice.”

“People were staring at us like we were insane.”

The Alternative Route

The duo has chosen to steer clear of interstates, instead opting for a cycling path from the travel app Komoot that has guided them through local streets, backroads, and highways. 

They’ve had minimal rest days since they commenced their journey at the end of September. Instead, they’ve managed to skateboard for about seven to eight hours daily as they aim to reach New York by December 12.

Upon arrival, the friends intend to distribute 100 skateboards they have acquired using donated funds. They plan to give out another 100 on their return to Los Angeles and then revisit some of the areas they’ve passed through during their trip to distribute the remaining boards. 

“We aim to provide skateboards to kids who genuinely want to ride but cannot afford them,” Vanporppal expressed, emphasizing his hope that the kids receiving the boards can “simply enjoy themselves.”

Skateboarding ‘Transformed My Life’

He also serves as a skateboarding ambassador.

“There’s no rivalry. It’s not akin to basketball or soccer. This is a completely different realm,” he continued. “It revolves around being on the board and expressing yourself however you prefer, whether it’s freestyle, skating in a bowl, or riding on a curb.”

For Vanporppal, the drive to raise funds for the skateboards is deeply personal; he started skating at the age of 9. Even though earning money through the sport can be tough, he mentioned that he’s always been disinterested in other pursuits. 

“It’s something that undeniably altered my life. Had I not discovered skateboarding, I could have engaged in drugs or joined a gang,” he reflected. “It truly kept me out of trouble, and that has been the case for me over the last few years. 

“Whenever challenges arise in my life, I tend to turn to my skateboard.”

Although Vanporppal has been gathering donations for the skateboards through services like Venmo and PayPal, he revealed that this trip has motivated him to explore establishing an official nonprofit organization.

“I feel a bit sad that this is approaching its conclusion, but as I mentioned, greater and more remarkable things await,” he told his followers in a recent video. “I’m just astonished by everything I’ve accomplished and achieved.”

“I’m incredibly happy and truly thankful for all of it.”