Thalente Biyela is about to turn 18 and needs to decide what to be when he ‘grows up’. Homeless since age nine, he is illiterate: His opportunities are limited. At age eight, his first skateboard becomes his escape from turmoil at home. Skateboarding soon became the driving force in his life, providing him sanctity as he lived on the streets of Durban. An Internet video of Thalente skating reaches pro-skater Kenny Anderson who offers to take him under his wing if he makes it to America.