Riverside Gymnastics making it work- but for how long?

Harper Kane shows off some fancy footwork at a recent Riverside Gymnastics Academy outdoor practice. The statewide freeze on athletic clubs is putting the kibosh on indoor activities. So coach Audrey Hinatsu took it outside. Closures, however, are sacking revenue generators for nonprofit clubs such as Riverside as well as privately run athletic clubs. The Oregon Health and Fitness Alliance is asking Gov. Kate Brown to allow limited reopenings.

Riverside Gymnastics has taken their program outside as the Governor’s freeze orders continue to prevent indoor activities. 

Recently, coach Audrey Hinatsu led the optional team in an outdoor workout as the athletes hope for a return to normalcy and at minimum a chance to compete in a sanctioned meet.

Competition is necessary to advance and indispensable for the higher level athletes hoping to earn a scholarship.

Riverside is not alone in the struggle as all athletic gyms throughout Oregon are under the same freeze. 

The Oregon Health & Fitness Alliance (OHFA) sent a letter yesterday to Governor Brown urging her to consider the long-term physical and mental health of Oregonians and allow for a limited reopening of indoor fitness facilities and gyms across all counties in Oregon. 

The letter included specific recommendations for ensuring the health and safety of gym-goers, including ensuring mask usage, social distancing and severely limiting capacity indoors.

In the letter, OHFA pointed to evidence from multiple states, including Oregon, that fails to show a correlation between fitness facilities and positive COVID-19 cases. Specifically, a recent study by the University of Oregon’s Oregon Consulting Group found that there was no correlation between fitness facilities and positive COVID-19 cases, based on a case study in Colorado. Instead, the study found that fitness facilities are not a prevalent source of COVID-19 transmission and outbreaks.

Similarly, a recent study in New York found that of 46,000 COVID-19 cases, only 0.06% of positive cases could be traced to gyms. In Oregon, of the more than 11,000 COVID-19 cases that have been reported in association with workplaces, not a single publicly reported outbreak has been traced to a gym or fitness facility, according to the OHFA.

“These recent studies have outlined what we already know – COVID is not spreading at gyms and fitness facilities,” Jim Zupancic, OHFA President and CEO of Stafford Hills Club, said. “What we do know, however, is that the prolonged shutdowns and restrictions on vital wellness services continue to have debilitating impacts on the long-term social, emotional and physical health of Oregonians.”

In The Dalles, Riverside Board Member Janelle Adams said it is especially difficult on the more advanced gymnasts who are competing in levels 5 through 8.

Gymnasts, who typically work out 20 hours a week, are now reduced to a few hours of outdoor activities and doing online workouts from home. Events such as vault and uneven bars are impossible without the safety of a cushioned floor and proper equipment.

Gymnasts lose ground quickly when not constantly working out - the sport requires massive amounts of practice to maintain and improve skill levels.

At the same time, Adams said the recreational program for the gym has come to a standstill until the freeze is lifted. 

She pointed out that the gym, which still pays thousands in rent every month, rides a thin line between the black and red as a nonprofit.

It is also an amazing facility to have in The Dalles. It is a standout for a community as a population center of this size does not typically sustain such a program. 

Riverside is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and takes donations. Find out more about the program here.

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