Paralympic rower Tokyo bound

BY Ariana Shah

Paralympic athlete Russell Gernaat is glad to call Canyon Lake his “blissful home of solitude” after a long training day.

Russell will be competing for the Team USA Rowing team in the upcoming Paralympic Games in Tokyo this summer in the PR2 mixed double sculls rowing event.

Russell moved to Canyon Lake with his girlfriend Cynthia Sergott three years ago.

“We originally came from the Bay Area and wanted to live somewhere near the water,” Russell said. “And Canyon Lake was perfect.”

Living in Canyon Lake gives him immediate access to the water, where he is able to train as a rower. Russell is an elite rower in his class and is expected to do well in the Paralympics in Tokyo.

He told the row2K website that living in Canyon Lake during the pandemic was beneficial to his training.

Russell Rowing. Photo provided by Russell Gernaat.

“The thing that was actually beneficial to my training because of COVID-19 was that my company went to remote employees,” he said. “Having the flexibility in my schedule to train whenever I had a moment really helped me. I bought a bunch of equipment and I filled a room in my house so I could do training.

“Plus, I am blessed to actually live on a lake,” he said. “I have a boat and I can go row on that lake. Having that flexibility gave me the time to still train the volume that’s needed to compete at this level in spite of the COVID-19 situation.”

Remarkably, Russell has only been rowing competitively for about five years. He began participating in the sport after his wife of 22 years passed away from cancer a little over five years ago.

“I began rowing and healing myself inside and out,” Russell said. “I was becoming the person I wanted to be. I began to find myself.”

He initially found out about the Paralympic games for those with disabilities after watching the acclaimed film, “Remember the Titans.” He dove into the adaptive rowing competition and was almost immediately successful.

Russell Gernaat from Canyon Lake and rowing partner Laura Goodkind compete in the US Trials held in April in West Windsor, New Jersey. The pair took first place in the PR2 mixed double sculls event and easily qualified for this summer’s Paralympics in Tokyo. The two had previously qualified for the 2020 Paralympics in 2019. Photo provided by US Rowing.

“I was born without pectoral muscles on the right side of my chest. I also have limited flexibility in my hips and ankles,” Russell said. “I wasn’t even sure if I could qualify as a Paralympic athlete, but I gave it a shot.”

Russell grew up with a family culture that valued sports and the work required to be successful.

“I grew up watching my older sister swim for Team USA at the University of Florida,” he said. “She would practice for hours almost every day of the week. She set the standard.”

In terms of what motivates Russell, he says, it’s staying in shape.

“I’m a 54-year-old man, and I’m out here working and competing with people half my age,” Russell said. “I also have the goal to attend the Paralympics in Paris in the year 2024.”

Russell’s intense training consists of working out three to four hours a day, six days a week, and results in the 6-foot, 5-inch, 220-pound man needing to eat a lot. Most days include a training stretch out on Canyon Lake in his rowing shell.

While Russell trains, one of his favorite motivational songs to listen to is “Rise Up” by Andra Day.

Russell Gernaat poses with his girlfriend Cynthia Sergott and son Damian Gonzalez. The three live in Canyon Lake where Russell is training for the upcoming Paralympics in Toyko this summer.Photo provided by Russell Gernaat.

Russell is also a talented swimmer who holds American records in his category’s 50 and 100 freestyle events. He attended Navy Seal training, while serving in the U.S. Navy.

In 2019, Russell competed in Austria, which qualified him to participate in the Tokyo Paralympic Games. COVID-19 then hit and the Olympics were postponed from 2020 to this summer. In April, the PR2 Mix2x of Russell and his rowing partner Laura Goodkind took first place again in the U.S. Trials in New Jersey that resulted in Paralympic qualification for Tokyo 2021.

While Russell bounces back from place to place, he said he thanks his support system of his girlfriend Cynthia, his coach Alice Henderson, and Shiela Tolle, who helps with the preparations for rowing.

“I’m grateful for all these people,” Russell said. “Not only do they help keep everything in motion; they’re helping me pursue my passion.”