One-legged man: I’ll walk Kokoda

ERIN PEARSON
GEOFF Chandler’s backpack will be lighter than others next month when he tackles Papua New Guinea’s gruelling Kokoda Trail.
The 50-year-old, who has a prosthetic leg, believes his amputation will provide him with a weight benefit over his fellow trekkers on the 96-kilometre journey.
“It’s going to be a huge advantage for me,” he laughed.
“I’ll only have one sore foot at the end of the trek and will only need half the pairs of socks.”
A motorbike accident left the jovial Geelong West father with an agonising leg injury that left him in constant pain for 26 years.
But in 2010 Mr Chandler decided quality of life was more important than keeping his injured leg, so he went under the knife to have it removed.
He will take on his epic Kokoda trek 12 months after the amputation.
“For 26 years I was in pain every single day. My leg was deformed and susceptible to breaking,” Mr Chandler said.
“I’d spent six months prior to the surgery in plaster. Now I’m going over (to Papua New Guinea) full of confidence.”
Already six kilograms lighter, he will join nine other Geelong residents on the trek across the historic World War II trail from July 5.
Mr Chandler said his family was reluctant about his trip but he eventually managed to win them over.
“My sister and my kids were a bit hesitant and didn’t really want me to go but they support me now, particularly mum who thinks it’s a great way to pay respect to my dad who walked the Kokoda Trail during World War II.
“He was one of the lucky ones to come back.”
Personal trainer Matt Jolley said Mr Chandler’s dedication left him “blown away”.
Pre-trek preparation included two saunas a day to help acclimatise and 4.30am workouts.
“If people aren’t inspired by what Geoff is doing I don’t think they’ll be inspired by anything,” Mr Jolley said.