Life of adventure for wheelchair-bound Sue
Tragedy struck in 2015 while training for the local mountain bike stage race, Imana, when a freak accident left her paralysed from the chest down.
Sue Martin (62) can truly be seen as an inspiration to many.
Despite a freak mountain bike accident eight years ago that left her wheelchair-bound, Sue hasn’t given up on her life of adventure, with shark diving and bodysurfing already accomplished.
Sue, who now resides in Renishaw Hills, has also ticked off paragliding, parachuting, parasailing, bungee jumping, abseiling and flying in an autogyro off her bucket list.
She has completed numerous marathons and ultra-marathons including the Comrades and Two-Oceans; she has competed in several Midmar races; participated in a number of cycle races such as the Argus (completed with a broken finger), the 94.7, Tour Durban, and Amashova, as well as embarking on mountain bike stage races like the Berg & Bush and Sani2C. She has competed in (and won) triathlons and adventure races.
Her love of the outdoors has seen her hiking in the Drakensberg, on Table Mountain, climbing Mount Kilimanjaro and completing the Otter Trail, Whale Trail and Wild Coast Trail. Sue has water-skied, snow-skied, been mushing with huskies in Sweden and even seen the northern lights.
Tragedy struck in 2015 while training for the local mountain bike stage race, Imana, when a freak accident left Sue paralysed from the chest down. However, nothing could break her indomitable spirit, with Sue adjusting to wheelchair living and quickly involving herself in the Quadriplegic Association of South Africa’s (QASA) Sweethearts Foundation Breadtags for Wheelchairs project.
Sue is now a founding member of the Renishaw Hills Archery Club, and even competed in a para-cycling event for charity with her partner Ron Waldburger. Sue was also very excited to be introduced to KZN-based NPO, Made for More, which aims to include, empower and equip people with disabilities through sport.
“I have embraced their willingness to find volunteers and coaches to aid us in surfing,” explained Sue.
“These remarkable people sacrifice their weekends so that we can enjoy a morning of wave riding. Recently the ISA World Para Surfing Champs took place in Huntington Beach, California, USA where the KZN team did very well, all thanks to Made for More!”
Sue’s adventures are nowhere near over. When asked what’s next, she said: “I’m now planning on getting a barrel while surfing. Who knows, I might even get to represent KZN in the next SA Para Surfing Champs.”
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