In 2005, Dave Cornthwaite embarked on a daring and transformative journey that would not only redefine his life but also inspire countless others. Armed with a longboard and an adventurous spirit, he set out to skate across Australia—a feat that would become the longest skateboard journey in history, stretching 3,618 miles from Perth to Brisbane. This monumental adventure marked the beginning of Cornthwaite’s life as an explorer, motivational speaker, and author.
Cornthwaite’s leap into the unknown was sparked by a personal revelation. “Two weeks of skating around a town I’d lived in for six years offered a brand new perspective,” he reflects. Dissatisfied with the monotony of a 9 to 5 job he neither enjoyed nor excelled at, Cornthwaite sought a more meaningful existence. This introspection led to the inception of Project BoardFree—a series of long-distance skateboarding journeys with a charitable motive.
Before tackling Australia, Cornthwaite took on an 896-mile warm-up journey across the length of Britain. This grueling experience was just a precursor to the epic adventure that awaited him in Australia. Despite having only stepped onto a longboard less than two years prior, his determination and vision were unwavering.
Choosing Australia for his record-breaking attempt was a decision driven by practicality and a desire for a unique challenge. The previous world record for long-distance skateboarding had been set in the United States by Jack Smith, and Cornthwaite wanted to chart his own path. “I’d considered skating from Wales to Shanghai, but roads in Siberia didn’t seem skateboard-friendly,” he recalls. Ultimately, the vast, unbroken expanse of the Australian outback provided the perfect route.
Throughout the journey, Cornthwaite encountered an array of wildlife, particularly in the less populated regions of Western and South Australia. He describes the magic of seeing eagles, parrots, kangaroos, and even racing an emu. The presence of these animals offered a constant reminder of the unique environment he was traversing.
Skating down steep hills provided moments of sheer exhilaration. Cornthwaite vividly recalls the intensity of flying downhill at over 35 miles an hour, body taut and mind focused. One particularly harrowing experience involved narrowly avoiding a fall after his board clipped a stone, leaving him precariously balanced at a sharp angle before miraculously recovering.
The journey also posed logistical challenges. Cornthwaite wore through fourteen right shoes, a testament to the relentless wear and tear of braking on steep inclines. “I pushed with my right foot but the wear and tear happened on that foot because it was also my brake,” he explains. Remarkably, he donated the unused left shoes to a man with one leg, a fitting end to this quirky detail of his adventure.
Injuries were an inevitable part of such a demanding journey. Blisters plagued his right foot, exacerbated by a prior wet journey across the UK. The most severe injury occurred in Adelaide when a metal spike punctured his heel, requiring stitches and a brief, albeit insufficient, rest period before resuming the journey.
Roadtrains, the massive freight trucks of the Australian highways, were both a hazard and a thrill. Cornthwaite learned to respect these behemoths, pulling off the road as they passed and then using their slipstream to gain a temporary boost.
BoardFree became more than just a series of skateboarding exploits; it evolved into a movement. Cornthwaite’s journeys inspired many to pursue their own extraordinary goals while raising awareness and funds for charitable causes. His book, “BoardFree,” captures the essence of these adventures, motivating readers to make meaningful changes in their own lives.
Dave Cornthwaite’s skate across Australia remains a testament to the power of daring to dream big, the resilience to overcome obstacles, and the impact of inspiring others through action. His journey, born from a desire to escape the mundane, continues to resonate, proving that ordinary people can indeed achieve extraordinary things.