Man that guy is f*cking rad. He's local too...when I get better I want to ride with him LB REPRESENT
You dont need to get better to ride with Chad. Go ride with him now. Flatlanders do not judge another person based on their riding ability but rather what kind of person you are. So if you are a turd then you will get judged as a turd. But if you are cool, anyone will ride with you regardless of your ability. Most flatlanders love passing along knowledge to beginners and less skilled riders.
So you are fortunate to live near Chad. Go find him. Chad is a rad rider and a rad person.