In this episode of the Tough Girl Podcast, we meet Susan Norman — a former National and World Champion in whitewater kayaking and rafting, hydrologist, coach, and now author of RISK: A Life Saved by the River.

Susan's story is one of courage, flow, and resilience. From the roaring rapids of international whitewater competition to the quiet, uncertain waters of parenting her young nephew, she's navigated life's toughest challenges with the same instinct, grit, and grace that made her a world-class paddler.

Now retired from her career with the U.S. Forest Service and living in Lake Tahoe, California, Susan reflects on how rivers shaped her identity — not just as an athlete, but as a woman learning to make her own risk assessments, trust her judgement, and face fear head-on.

In this conversation, Susan opens up about:

Finding belonging and strength in the early days of women's paddling
The lessons whitewater taught her about resilience and decision-making
Her journey into writing and how storytelling became an extension of adventure
What it really means to take good risks — on the river and in life

Get ready for a deeply thoughtful episode about flow, fear, and finding freedom through the wild power of water.

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Show notes

Who is Susan Norman
Living in Lake Tahoe, California
Working for the US Forest Service
Being retired for 7 years
Starting her journey and learning new creative writing skills
Book: RISK: A Life Saved by the River
Her childhood (with her twin brother) and early years
Her interest in rivers and how her father inspired her
Her transition from teenager to adult
White water paddling as an amateur sport
Competing as a teenager
Jamie McEwan
Wanting to increase her skill set
Going to high school in the early 1970s
Not having many older female role models
Dads and daughters on the river
Forming a tribe and connecting with the other girls during her teenage years
The relationship with her mum who was diagnosed with MS
Being raised by a single father
Replacing family with the paddling community
Being part of the first wave of women getting into a high level of paddling
Paddling amongst the best paddlers in the world
Analysing and making decisions based on her own risk assessments
Learning to trust her own judgement
A life saved by the river
Working with a writing coach
Telling her story, while raising her nephew
Taking her nephew on river trips
Taking 6 years to write the book
Trying to figure out how to raise a child
Facing hard things and not being able to see a path through
Not knowing how things will turn out and taking it one day at a time
Taking challenging in small steps
Giving an ultimatum to her partner
Going through the teenage years
Oppositional defiant disorder (ODD)
Adventuring with children and why you should go as soon as you can
The power of outdoor adventure sports
Managing fear while on adventure and parenting
River boarding and learning about the flow of the river water
How to connect with Susan
Final words of advice with regards to risk and making tough decisions
Find the good risk

Social Media

Website www.susannormanauthor.com

Facebook: Susan Norman

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