Ultraskater.com is about skateboarders pushing a new envelope in distance skateboarding, cramming epic mileage into the span of a single weekend.

Its simplicity is key. All one needs to ultraskate is

1. a skateboard

2. 24-hours of free time (plus time to sleep before and after)

3. a place that is reasonably safe to skate all night, and

4. the burning desire to skate!

Ultraskating is thus one of the most accessible, inclusive uber-distance skateboard challenges, which doesn't require quitting one's job, abandoning the family, or a trust fund budget to commit. And its rewards are as personal and varied as the eclectic group of people who are drawn to it.

The world's first 24-hour Ultraskate took place in May of 2007. James Peters drummed up $3,000 in donations for the Lance Armstrong LIVESTRONG foundation, while setting an official Guinness World Record of 184 miles solo skateboarding in 24-hours. This first record attempt was made in large part to draw attention to the charity. Later that year, James broke his own record with another solo 195-mile ride, which created further media coverage and started to capture other skaters' interest.

By spring of 2008, the bait was taken. Eric Lowell flew up from Texas to join in the 3rd Ultraskate, where he logged a solid 187 miles and supported James past the 200-mile mark. That number must have triggered a simian instinct in Barefoot Ted McDonald, who at the time was observing we primates from the sidelines. Being a seasoned ultrarunner and born-again skater, he returned a couple months later to knock out an astounding 242 mile skate, a record that held fast for a full year. The up-spiralling of records finally rested with Paul Kent, who in 2009 pushed his way past Ted by another 8 miles, thus setting the bar at a formidable 250 miles.

So is ultraskating the pursuit of records? A spectacle to hype charities? The pursuit of a personal best? A sleep-deprived chill session with your bros? Is it pure escapism, an endorphin addiction? Is it a sport, or a way of life? Or is it a pure, Zen-like pursuit of the oneness with skateboarding?

Yes.