Sydney Blackhurst Wins $10,000 SEC Startup Prize for 3-Site Adaptive Swim Foundation
Updated
Updated · SwimSwam · Aug 21
Sydney Blackhurst Wins $10,000 SEC Startup Prize for 3-Site Adaptive Swim Foundation
1 articles · Updated · SwimSwam · Aug 21
Summary
$10,000 went to Alabama swimmer Sydney Blackhurst, who won the SEC Startup grand prize for Beyond Barriers Swim Foundation, her venture offering one-on-one adaptive swim lessons for children with chronic illnesses or disabilities.
Beyond Barriers focuses on water safety, motor-skill development and a sensory-safe environment, turning Blackhurst's own experience of swimming as therapy after multiple chronic-condition diagnoses into the foundation's mission.
3 active locations already operate in Tuscaloosa, Athens and Tucson, with a fourth planned in Jacksonville later this year.
SEC Startup is a televised entrepreneurship contest for student-athletes; LSU swimmer Stuart Higdon finished second and received $8,000 for his AI-driven drone-spraying business.