Meet the Author: Susan Norman
Join us for an inspiring evening with Susan Norman, world champion whitewater paddler, retired hydrologist, and debut memoirist. In her powerful new book RISK, Susan recounts a life shaped by rivers—beginning with her childhood introduction to whitewater at age two and continuing through decades of international competition as a pioneer in canoeing, kayaking, and rafting.
But RISK is more than an adventure story. Alternating between past and present, it reveals how outdoor adventure became a path through early trauma—starting with her mother's rapid decline from multiple sclerosis when Susan was five—and later, how those same skills helped her face the unexpected challenges of parenting her four-year-old nephew after menopause.
Through breathtaking river narratives and deeply personal reflections, RISK explores how choosing "good risk" in wild environments can build the resilience needed to confront life’s most turbulent currents.
Come hear Susan read from her memoir, talk about the writing process, and reflect on the power of nature, sport, and courage in the face of adversity.
