Jeff’s life story is not only one of resilience but of innovation, grit, and an unwavering drive to overcome every challenge placed in his path. Born on July 25, 1960, in Reefton, Jeff's journey from a small-town boy to a multisport inspiration for athletes—both able-bodied and disabled—is as unique as it is inspiring.

Growing up in Reefton, Jeff attended Reefton Primary and Inangahua College, where he forged lifelong friendships with Brent and Chris Halloran and Terry Waghorn. Like many small-town kids, Jeff began working young. His first job on leaving school was a stint at the New Commercial Garage on Broadway, followed by work at the Fletcher Plywood Factory in Gladstone. From there, he took on possum trapping and later joined the New Zealand Electricity Department (NZED), helping to build pylons at Inangahua Junction. His adventurous spirit also led him underground, where he spent four years mining coal for Starline at Burkes Creek.

However, in 1986, Jeff’s life changed dramatically. A motorbike accident, in which he was a passenger with his brother Malcolm, resulted in the loss of his leg. For many, such a life-altering injury might have spelled the end of adventurous pursuits. But for Jeff, it marked the beginning of a new chapter defined by determination and innovation.

Just a year after his accident, Jeff launched a business harvesting and drying sphagnum moss from the old Reefton Butter Factory, which he had purchased two years earlier. He ran this enterprise until 1993, then relocated to Nelson. There, he operated a takeaway lunch bar for six years, before pursuing a completely new career path as a jeweller, apprenticing under Dean Hawkins for four years.

It was in Nelson that Jeff discovered a new passion: multisport athletics. He began kayaking, cycling, and ultimately training for triathlons. What followed was a string of achievements that would not only push his personal limits but redefine what was possible for athletes with disabilities.

One of Jeff’s standout accomplishments came in 2000 during the Rainbow Rage—a grueling 106km mountain bike ride from Rainbow Road to Hanmer Springs. Jeff completed the course in just 5 hours and 35 minutes, a record-setting time for a Paralympic cyclist. More impressively, he was the first to design and build his own artificial leg attachment, which allowed him to stand on the pedals for sprinting and hill climbs. This innovation gave him the edge to outperform both able-bodied and disabled cyclists in certain sections.

But perhaps Jeff’s most remarkable sporting achievement was competing in the 2001 Speight’s Coast to Coast, New Zealand’s most iconic and toughest Multisport event. He was the first above-the-knee amputee to tackle the two-day individual race—a feat that includes running, cycling, and kayaking.The race begins at Kumara Beach on the West Coast and finishes at Sumner in Christchurch two days later, crossing the Southern Alps in the process.

Day one Involves a 3km run, a 67km cycle, and hardest of all for Jeff, a 26-kilometre mountain run.

Day two involves a 15km cycle 68km kayak and a 70km cycle.

Despite the enormous physical toll and logistical challenges (like using a foot scooter for the initial run and walking the mountain pass instead of running), Jeff finished strong. His performance earned him the admiration and roaring support of the crowd, rivaling that of race champion and multisport legend Steve Gurney –who won the event for the seventh time that year.

Jeff's determination and courage were again on full display in Rollo's Nelson Adventure Race in 2002, where he was part of Team Harcourts. The 24-hour race, filled with rugged terrain, kayaking, and mountain biking, saw Jeff become the first one-legged competitor to reach the finish line—a monumental achievement in endurance racing.

Jeff's life is a testament to what the human spirit can accomplish in the face of adversity. From small town Reefton to the highest peaks of multisport achievement, he redefined possibility—not only for himself, but for countless others inspired by his journey. His story continues to serve as a reminder that limitations are often just challenges waiting to be conquered.