Searching for a scuff on a stranger's shoe: I found my people and passion on a skateboard

This is a First Person column by Zev Klymochko, who lives in Calgary. For more information about CBC’s First Person stories, see the FAQ.

The first time I did a kickflip, I was amazed. Thrilled. I was 12 and practising on the driveway of my family’s home in suburban Winnipeg.

Snap the tail of the board so it pops up. Kick one foot off the side so it flips in mid-air on the horizontal axis and levels off. Land back on top.

It’s a common trick in skateboarding but way more difficult than it sounds.

I wanted to make sure I could actually kickflip and that my