Success Story _ Uncharted Lines

Uncharted Lines | Durango, CO

For over ten years, Sean Englund has dedicated himself to slacklining and highlining—a sport that demands balance, focus, and creativity. What began in Durango as a personal hobby eventually grew into a passionate career that now reaches audiences across the country and beyond. “I’ve been doing this work professionally for close to 10 years,” Englund says.

Nineteen months ago, Englund founded Uncharted Lines LLC, a globally recognized company based in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado that specializes in highline and slackline performance, instruction, and rigging. Beyond his business, Englund also takes leadership roles in the international slackline community. He is a Board Member of the International Slackline Association (ISA), serves as Education Commission Course Manager, and is a lead instructor for international highline rigging certifications—positions that enable him to share best practices and safety standards worldwide.

At its core, Uncharted Lines focuses on access and inspiration. “Our mission is centered around giving back to the community by reducing barriers to entry into the niche outdoor sport of slacklining—especially for nonprofit and youth organizations,” Englund explains. “We host slackline clinics that inspire, entertain, and mentor others in a safety-focused environment. We also organize highline performances and professional competitions in both urban and rural settings to remind audiences that imagination is the only limit. Our goal is to bring slacklining and highlining directly to the people.”

That mission has taken Englund and his team to unconventional venues. At the Virginia Beach Jackalope Festival, Uncharted Lines rigged a 150-meter line between two hotels for a timed highline competition for 50k+ people—an unforgettable display of skill and creativity. However, breaking into new spaces hasn’t been easy. “As you can imagine, it’s not an easy conversation to convince event organizers or business owners to let us walk between their buildings,” he admits with a smile. “It’s a challenge, but we’ve been fortunate to work with some big partners already, and we’re excited to keep building those relationships.”

The company itself was born from resilience. In 2023, Englund survived a severe speed flying accident (an advanced form of paragliding) that left him unable to walk. “It had always been on my mind to start this business, but I just never made the time. When I couldn’t walk or do much physically, I knew I had to do something to stay motivated and inspired. So I started Uncharted Lines and dedicated every bit of my free time to making it what it is today.”

A significant part of Englund’s progress has come from the guidance of the Southwest Colorado Small Business Development Center (SBDC). He worked closely with Mary Shepherd, the Executive Director of the SBDC, who helped him refine his business plans, and with a consultant who guided him through the trademark process for his logo and company name. In 2024, he also participated in the Leading-Edge program, working with Jasper Welch and another advisor on practical growth strategies.

“The SBDC has been incredible,” Englund says. “They’ve provided me with structure, answered questions I didn’t realize I had, and helped me believe this idea could really succeed. Having that kind of support makes a big difference when you’re figuring out how to turn passion into a sustainable business.”

From recovery to reinvention, Englund’s story emphasizes the power of resilience—and the role of guidance, community, and leadership in shaping bold ideas into lasting impact.

For more information, visit Uncharted Lines.