Susan Seipel

Susan Seipel (born 4 April 1986) is an Australian Para-canoeist, a gold and bronze medallist in kayak and outrigger canoe at the 2015 and 2016 World Championships. She won a bronze medal at the 2016 Rio Paralympics and a silver medal at the 2020 Summer Paralympics. another bronze medal at 2024 Summer Paralympics

Personal

Seipel, a Bellbowrie resident of Queensland, was born with Arthrogryposis Multiplex, a rare disorder characterised by fusion of joints and absent muscle formation in her legs. Born in Ipswich, Queensland she attended St Peter Claver College. In 2003, she completed Information Technology certificates and in 2004, a TAFE course in horse management. In 2008, she completed a Diploma of Applied Science, Equine Studies Major at the University of Queensland. She has undertaken a course in Professional Leadership at La Trobe University. Seipel was awarded a Full Sporting Blue at Griffith University whilst undertaking a Bachelor of Psychology (Hons).

She is a volunteer and ambassador for the RSPCA at Wacol, Queensland. She held six Queensland State records between the age of 13-15 and three Australian National Age records in freestyle and backstroke.

Equestrian At the age of seven, Seipel's sporting passion began to change after learning to ride horses at the McIntyre Riding Centre for the Disabled in the western suburbs of Brisbane. Seipel said: "We used to go past the Centre on the way to my school and I always saw the horses. I really loved animals and wanted to have a go there. My parents thought it would be good therapy and took me along." In 1998, she competed for the first time at the National Riding for Disabled (RDA) Dressage Championships, where she gained first place in her warm- up test against international riders.

Summary of equestrian achievements: Australian Para Dressage Team for the World Equestrian Games 2010 Australian Riding for the Disabled (RDA) National Dressage Champion 1999, 2006, 2008 Reserve Para Equestrian Dressage Champion 2010 Short listed for 2008 Beijing Paralympics State Riding for the Disabled Queensland Dressage Champion 9 times 2007 Queensland Young Achiever for Sports Award 2009 Equestrian Australia National Para Dressage Development Squad 2010 Equestrian Australia National Para Dressage Elite Squad

In leaving Equestrian, Seipel said: "I did Equestrian for 18 years, competing at National and International level. I decided to take a break because it's quite an expensive sport". and in 2013 joined the Brisbane Canoeing Club.

Determined to pursue her competitive spirit, Seipel mastered the kayak (K1) and outrigger (V1) canoes winning in both boats at domestic trials.

Seipel won the bronze medal in the 200 m KL2 when paracanoe made its debut at the Rio Paralympics. At the 2018 ICF Canoe Sprint World Championships, Montemor-o-Velho, Portugal, she finished sixth in the Women's KL2 200m and fourth in the Women's VL2 200m.

At the 2019 ICF Canoe Sprint World Championships, Szeged, Hungary, she won the silver medal in the Women's VL2 200m and bronze medal in the Women's KL2 200m.

At the 2020 Summer Paralympics. Seipel won a silver medal in the Women's VL2 200m with a time of 1:01.481, over 4 seconds longer than the eventual winner Emma Wiggs of Great Britain. Seipel also competed in the Women's KL2 200m and came seventh.

Seipel finished fifth in both the Women's KL2 200m and VL2 200m at the 2022 ICF Canoe Sprint World Championships.

She has been selected to compete at the 2024 Summer Paralympics in Paris, France. In the lead up to the Paralympics, Seipel won a bronze medal at the 2024 ICF World Para Canoe Championships in Szeged, Hungary.

In 2021, she was awarded Paddle Australia's Paracanoeist of the Year.

Seipel trained with the Brisbane Canoeing Club and announced her retirement from canoeing in February 2025.