Russell Gernaat returns from Tokyo a winner

BY Dawn Rankins

Canyon Lake’s Russell Gernaat has returned home to Canyon Lake a winner. Though his rowing team took an overall 10th place, Russell did what he set out to accomplish back in 2016 after losing his wife to cancer. He just wanted to compete in the Tokyo Paralympics.

Russell said he served in Japan in the Navy and being able to go to Tokyo was like going full circle for him.

While he and his rowing partner, Laura Goodkind of Los Angeles, took overall 10th place, well outside the medal stand, Russell has his eyes set on competing again in the 2024 Paralympic Games in France.

“I now know what it takes to not only compete, but to medal,” he said. “After this year is over and being able to not be on such a strict training schedule, I’ll be back in full training mode at the beginning of 2022 to get myself ready for the Paralympics in France.”

Photo provided by Russell Gernaat.

Russell was the oldest USA rowing athlete in Tokyo. At 55 years old, he lives by the mindset “that the pain of working hard is better than the pain of falling apart.” With not just one, but three disabilities, Russell has proven that with hard work and determination, he can achieve anything and can follow his dreams.

While serving in the Navy, Russell said he was met with obstacles almost everywhere he turned. He wanted to be a Navy Seal, so in 1989 he began the Seal training and he was able to complete all the tests required of him. One instructor told him he couldn’t do the pressure/oxygen test, and he did it. “Where there’s a will, there’s a way,’’ Russell said.

Russell trains twice a day, six days a week for one to two hours. He moved to Canyon Lake with girlfriend Cythina Sergott and her son Damian to be closer to a body of water where he could train more easily.

Cynthia also served in the military and understands Russell needing to be gone for training with his rowing partner at the training center in Chula Vista.

“I support him 100%,” Cynthia said. “I am so proud that he’s able to compete at this level and I’m excited for him to compete in France in 2024.”

Russell, who at 6’5” and without a wheelchair or walker, does not appear to be one with disabilities. He doesn’t even park in a handicap spot. The disability that qualified him for the Paralympics is a hip issue.

Russell struggles to simply sit down. He has to fall into his seat due to disabilities with his hips. In order for him to get out of his car, he has to use his right shoulder and back to scoot himself out of the vehicle, he said. Putting on a seat belt is another big task, but he said he doesn’t let any of his disabilities get in the way.

Russell talked about a time he was confronted by someone when he decided to use a handicap placard and park in a handicap spot.

When he got out of his car, someone came up to him and challenged his using the handicap spot, yelling that he was not handicapped and shouldn’t be parking there.

The man told Russell there was nothing wrong with him and these spots are needed for real disabled people. Russell said he calmly replied with, “You don’t know the half of it.”

“You can’t always see the disability on the outside,” he said. “But, it’s there and I live with it everyday.”

While in Tokyo, Russell and the USA team were tested daily for COVID-19. There were strict shelter-in-place regulations set.

While in between competitions, the team could be in the Olympic Village where they could get something to eat, go to a shop or two, stay in their rooms, or go down by the water. He said the team opted to spend a lot of time down by the water.

Russell said he was disappointed he wasn’t allowed to see other athletes compete due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Russell is now home and still cross-training, but just not to the levels he was while getting ready for the Paralympics in Tokyo. He’s enjoying family time and a little bit of relaxation while he can. When January 2022 comes around he will begin training again for his next big goal. Not just making the 2024 Paralympic US rowing team, but being able to compete for medals in Paris.