Sydney Presenting 1 — Sydney Blackhurst pitches her startup, Beyond Barriers Swim Foundation, during the SEC Startup Competition. (University of Alabama)

An Alabama swimmer has turned her passion into a new business which was recognized at this year’s SEC Startup Competition.

Sydney Blackhurst, a senior at the University of Alabama, presented Beyond Barriers Swim Foundation, her business which offers one-on-one adaptive swim lessons for children with chronic illnesses or disabilities.

“Being around different kinds of kids and also knowing the therapy aspects of swimming is really where Beyond Barriers comes in. Swimming has always had a place in my heart and I believe everyone should be able to get in the water.”
Sydney Blackhurst

Keep reading to learn more about Blackhurst’s business + the SEC Startup Competition.

Beyond Barriers Swim Foundation offers adaptive swim lessons

Sydney And Volunteers With A Student — Sydney and volunteers with a student (University of Alabama

Sydney Blackhurst and a team of volunteers have created a safe space to teach students about:

Water safety
Mobility
Sensory improvement
Motor skill development

They also build social skills and confidence in and out of the water.

Blackhurst suffered from severe chronic illness in high school but getting back in the water changed her life.

“My family kept pushing for answers and things to try when I wanted to give up. I’m grateful for that because I got to where I could swim again and I didn’t want to keep that victory for myself.”
Sydney Blackhurst

Through hospital stays and doctor visits, she saw what other parents with children with illnesses and disabilities were facing. That background pushed Blackhurst to find a way to help others.

Sydney And A Volunteer Help A Student Out Of The Pool — Sydney Blackhurst and a volunteer help a student out of the pool. (University of Alabama)

SEC Startup Competition

SEC Startup is a pitch competition where SEC student-athletes present their business ideas and plans to a panel of judges during a televised program in partnership with Regions Bank.

Beyond Barriers was selected from a group of four finalists.

With the win, Blackhurst gets $10,000 to use toward her business. She said she plans to use the funds to streamline an online system where donors, volunteers and parents can find everything they need in one spot.

Beyond Barriers Swim Foundation currently has sites in:

Tuscaloosa
Athens, GA
Tucson, AZ
Jacksonville, FL

“I hope to expand our network of donors so we can help more kids. The more funding we have, the more ways we can reach students. And we are currently working on adding a new location.”
Sydney Blackhurst

Dive deeper into the Beyond Barriers Swim Foundation and see who and how they serve on the foundation’s website.

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