Susan Seipel was born competitive. She learnt swimming and equestrian from a young age. Lessons quickly turned into competitions, championships, and medals. However financial constraints forced the talented rider to give up equestrian, leading to a successful switch to Para-canoe, and winning Australia’s first paralympic medal in the sport.

Susan proudly represented her country at the 2016 Rio Paralympic Games and was the first Australian in history to win a medal (Bronze) in Para-canoe kayak at the Paralympic level.

At the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics, she won a Silver medal in outrigger canoe and placed 7th in kayak. At the Paris 2024 Paralympics, she won a Bronze medal in outrigger canoe and placed 5th in kayak.

Susan has won nine medals at ICF World Sprint Championships, including three Gold. Making her the most decorated female para-canoe athlete in Australia.

Born with a physical disability called, Arthrogryposis, hasn't stopped Susan from breaking down barriers to become a diverse athlete.

Susan's Paralympic dream was inspired by watching the Sydney 2000 Paralympics. Following her dream she won a Bronze medal at an international event and qualified for the 2008 Bejing games in Para-equestrian, but was not selected onto the Australian team. Financial strain saw her switch sports to follow her dream.

While sport is her main passion, Susan is also driven to make a difference in the narrative of people living with disabilities and has published articles on the topic of inclusion and accessibility. She is currently studying Psychology at Griffith University.

Susan is a proud charity ambassador for RSPCA Qld and a dedicated supporter of animal welfare. She has volunteered with RSPCA for over 10 years, working in several departments including the wildlife hospital, foster care, and adoptions.

Susan announced her retirement from Para-canoe following the Paris Paralympics, however she has not ended her involvement in sport. She has new goals in Hybrid Pickleball and Para Ice Hockey.

Hybrid Pickleball is an exciting developing sport where able-bodied and para athletes play together socially and at competitive levels.

While Para Ice Hockey has been part of the Winter Paralympics since 1994, it does not have gender equality. It is an exciting, fast, full contact sport and to date only 3 females have ever played in the mixed gender event. Susan has been involved in the sport since 2018 and is supporting a gobal push for a separate female event at Paralympic level, where Australia could compete for the first time in history.