How Brenna Huckaby’s Inspirational SI Swim Feature Pushed the Athlete Out of Her Comfort Zone

The three-time Paralympic gold medalist posed for the 2018 SI Swimsuit Issue.

Cara O’Bleness | Nov 3, 2023

Brenna Huckaby was photographed by James Macari in Aruba.

James Macari/Sports Illustrated

When Brenna Huckaby posed for the 2018 SI Swimsuit Issue, the pro snowboarder admitted she was “excited” to get out of her comfort zone with the feature. While the three-time Paralympic gold medalist was used to competing in snow gear on the slopes, she swapped her typical uniform for a number of bold swimwear looks during her photoshoot in Aruba.

The feature was not only a major moment for the then 21-year-old, it was a huge milestone for the brand, as well, as Huckaby was the first Paralympian to be featured in the annual magazine.

Huckaby first discovered her love of her sport as a form of rehabilitation after a childhood illness. She had her right leg amputated above the knee at 14 after being diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer. Up until that point, she was an avid gymnast, but quickly fell in love with snowboarding.

“It’s so exciting and crazy and amazing,” the keynote speaker and disability advocate noted of her SI Swimsuit Issue feature. “I am the first Paralympian to be shot for the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit edition, and that is insane to me. I knew this day would come, but I didn’t think that I would be the one to make this day happen.”

While Huckaby noted that she had “never put on a thong swimsuit” in her entire life, she called the looks she wore on location “gorgeous and sexy” and quickly found her comfort zone on set. Below are a few of our favorite snapshots from her incredible feature, captured by James Macari.

Brenna Huckaby — James Macari/Sports Illustrated

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Published Nov 3, 2023

CARA O’BLENESS

Cara O’Bleness is a writer and editor on the Lifestyle and Trending News team for SI Swimsuit. Prior to joining SI Swimsuit in 2022, she worked as a writer and editor across a number of content verticals, including food, lifestyle, health and wellness, and small business and entrepreneurship. In her free time, O’Bleness loves reading, spending time with her family and making her way through Michigan’s many microbreweries. She is a graduate of Michigan State University’s School of Journalism.