CL rower competes Monday in Tokyo

BY Dawn Rankins

Russell Gernaat of Canyon Lake has made it to Tokyo and will compete for the United States beginning Monday in the 2020 Paralympics. He and rowing partner Laura Goodkind from Los Angeles will be competing in the PR2 Mix2x rowing event.

“I’ve prepared well and I’m confident that we will have a good race,” Russell said in an email to The Friday Flyer while in flight to Tokyo Wednesday. “But, I am also a realist. There are a lot of fast boats, so we are hoping to make the finals. A medal would be amazing, but a stretch.”

In April, Russell and Laura took first place in the U.S. Trials in Mercer County that resulted in Paralympic qualification for Tokyo. They are two of the nine USA rowers in Tokyo and are part of the 240 total contingent of USA athletes at the Paralympics.

“At its core, the Paralympic Games represent inclusivity and the infinite possibility of sport,” said Sarah Hirshland, CEO of the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee, following official selection of the team earlier this month. “This group of athletes represents Team USA at their best. They are strong, resilient and ready to make you proud.”

NBCUniversal will showcase an unprecedented 1,200 hours of Paralympic programming of the Tokyo Games presented by Toyota including the network’s first-ever primetime broadcasts, more than 200 hours of TV coverage among NBC, NBCSN and the Olympic Channel: Home of Team USA, and over 1,000 hours of live streaming across 19 sports on NBC’s digital platforms.

Because of COVID-19 protocols in Japan, Russell’s family will not be allowed to travel and observe him compete. He said he has family that will be taken to the Olympic training center in Colorado for a watch party.

Russell, 54, 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.

“I started training five years ago with Tokyo in mind,” Russell said. “This consisted of double days six days a week usually. My workouts average about 1,000 calories burned. So since March of 2016 I’ve burned about two million calories.”

Russell is eligible to compete in the Paralympics because he was born without pectoral muscles on the right side of his chest. He said he also has limited flexibility in his hips and ankles.

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.