Freshman Grace Charron’s first memory of gymnastics was a toddlers’ obstacle course. Accompanied by her parents, she was led through an exciting introduction to gymnastics. As a two-year-old, she had found the sport that she would want to continue even after an injury ended her career as a gymnast.

Freshman Dana Kumamoto, another gymnast, started gymnastics at age seven and competes for Golden Bear in Berkeley. She first became interested when she attended a friend’s birthday party and soon after started taking classes.

“It’s really cool how theres so many different possibilities and skills you can learn,” said Kumamoto.

With her three coaches, she practices for 23.5 hours every week to prepare for the competition season of Dec. to April. Kumamoto earned a spot at regionals last season.

“If you set your mind to something, you have to keep going,” Kumamoto said. “If you fall and hurt yourself you just get back up and try again.”

Although Kumamoto’s least favorite part of the sport is competing due to the pressure and stress it brings, she finds the challenge inviting.

“The feeling when you get a new skill you have been working on for a really long time is pretty rewarding,” Kumamoto said.

After Charron injured her back last Aug., she decided to continue participating in gymnastics by coaching at Bay Island, a gymnastics program in Oakland. Now one of the youngest employees of Bay Island, she coaches 17 girls between the ages of nine and 14.

“I hurt my back and I was unable to continue gymnastics but I wanted to stay involved with the community because that’s where my friends were,” Grace said. “Coaching seemed like the best way to go forward with that.”

Charron is currently too young to be a certified coach but plans to when she turns 16. A coach’s certificate will allow her to accompany her gymnasts on the floor during competitions. She is also working on earning her judge’s certificate.

Charron, who has been coaching for six months, hopes to become a floor routine choreographer because of the dance aspect.

“You realize why your coaches got so frustrated at you and why they got so happy at the random little things,” said Charron. “It makes happy to see them succeed and nostalgic because I want to be doing it, but its so cool when you see them succeed.”

Charron’s mother, Dana Charron, was appreciative of Bay Island’s help with her daughter’s transition into coaching.

“I’m really grateful that this coaching opportunity has come up and that the gym has been so supportive,” Dana said. “There was definitely some sense of loss last fall, but coaching has been a total silver lining.”

Being a former gymnast gave Grace an advantage when it came to coaching. The two coaches she currently works with are also former gymnasts, but that is not always the case.

“She had a good idea of what she was supposed to do even though she couldn’t always do it,” Dana said.