Susan Seipel

Started: She first tried Para canoe in 2012. (The Queensland Times, 28 Jun 2016) Reason: She had previously competed in Para equestrian dressage at international level. "Unfortunately it was very expensive and I was relying on my parents to fund my dreams of riding. I was spending all my money on horses and didn't have any money to move out of home or support myself, so reality hit. Canoeing happened very randomly. I found out about a come and try canoeing day being held by Olympian Amanda Rankin. She told me about the Para canoeing community and connected me with coach Andrea King, and then it was love at first stroke." (lizcantor.com, 07 Jul 2016) Ambition: To win gold at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. (passionatepeople.invacare.eu.com, 01 Jan 2024) Awards: She was named Para Canoeist of the Year for 2021 by Paddle Australia. (Paddle Australia Facebook page, 03 Dec 2021) In 2015, 2016, and 2017 she received the Australian Canoeing Award of Merit. (LinkedIn profile, 01 Oct 2019; paddleshop.com.au, 03 Jan 2018) In 2017 she was named Canoeist of the Year by Queensland Canoeing in Australia. (LinkedIn profile, 01 Oct 2019; paddleshop.com.au, 03 Jan 2018) She was named the 2014 Senior Female Athlete of the Year by the Sporting Wheelies and Disabled Association in Queensland, Australia. (basketball.net.au, 26 Nov 2014) She received the 2010 Para Rider of the Year Award from Equestrian Queensland in Australia. (susanseipel.com, 27 Nov 2010) She received the Coates Sports Award at the 2007 Queensland Young Achiever Awards in Australia. (susanseipel.com, 22 Sep 2007) Additional Info: OTHER ACTIVITIES She has served as an ambassador for The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals [RSPCA] Queensland. "I am passionate about animal welfare and a proud ambassador for the RSPCA Queensland. So, whenever I get the chance I love volunteering and helping this cause. I am a cat foster carer and, in the past, I have volunteered at the RSPCA Wildlife Hospital, who help rehabilitate native animals such as koalas, kookaburras, and possums after being injured." (Instagram profile, 07 Oct 2023, 29 Sep 2020; coolcrutches.com, 02 Dec 2019) PARA EQUESTRIAN She took up horse riding at age seven as a form of physiotherapy at the McIntyre Centre Riding for the Disabled in Australia, and started competing in Para equestrian dressage at age 12. She decided to take a break from dressage in 2010 because the sport was so expensive, but has said she would like to start riding again as she gets older. "I started competing in dressage at age 12. I went to 13 national championships, and won two of them. In 2008 I was on the shortlist in a selection event [for the Paralympic Games in Beijing] but didn't make the team. In 2010 I took a break because the sport was so expensive. I thought I could go back to it. Equestrian is a sport you can still do well in your senior years." (podcasts.apple.com, 26 Aug 2020; coolcrutches.com, 02 Dec 2019) OCCUPATION She has worked as a freelance writer at Invacare Corporation, a medical equipment manufacturer and distributor in Australia. (LinkedIn profile, 17 May 2024; invacare.com.au, 17 Aug 2020) FURTHER EDUCATION In 2021 she began studying psychology at Griffith University in Australia. (LinkedIn profile, 17 May 2024; Facebook page, 20 Jun 2022)