elooa Camps is a new breed of snowboard camp, the brainchild of Elias Elhardt and former pro riders Heinz Löhle and Jens Anselstetter. They just wrapped up their first camp in Hintertux with big smiles on all the camper's faces, so we sat down with Heinz to pick his brain about their new concept in snowboard instruction.

Hey Heinz, please describe elooa Snowboard Camps in your own words.
elooa Camps offer a unique snowboard experience. We think snowboarding is way more fun as a group! That's how we all started and also how we progressed our own riding the most. We think shredders don't wanna ride by themselves! They want to show their skills and also learn from others. So elooa is a platform where snowboarders at all riding levels can meet, shred together and learn a lot without any pressure. The elooa team consists of international pros, former pros and certified snowboard instructors who would like to pass on their experience and enthusiasm for snowboarding. So that's the main goal, besides having tons of fun of course,:-)

Who are you targeting the camps at?
We target everyone who wants to improve their skills in the park and shred with us for a weekend. The level of riding doesn't matter, as long as you are able to shred down a slope and know how to ride chairlifts. It is really important to have different levels in the group. It's more fun for everyone and shows progress. The elooa crew is able to teach everything, from basic tricks to technical tricks. And again, without any pressure.

How do your snowboard camps differ from other camps out there?
We have great support from our partners Nitro, Rip Curl, TSG and Moreboards, which makes this special project possible. But I am not in a position to judge other camps, and I also don't want to. People should find out by themselves.

You have a sick list of pro snowboarders coaching at the camps, how did you manage to get them involved?
The first pro on the list was Elias Elhardt because the camps are based on his idea. All the other pros know Elias, Jens and I from the snowboard scene and everyone I talked to only had positive feedback, because they think it's a sick concept and pushes the sport we love the right way. For the pros it's the same as for every other snowboarder: snowboarding is most fun when you shred in a group and with your friends. 

What is the major difference between having pro snowboarders coaching instead of regular instructors?
To reach the riding level of a pro snowboarder you have to ride a lot, go through many different tons of different experiences. I think that's why pros have a special sense for snowboarding and the different steps you have to get through to get better. It's not only about technical tips, it's also got a lot to do with what's going on in your mind.

You use video analysis and photo shooting as part of your coaching, how helpful is this for the kids?
It's really helpful, I realized this myself during the last camp. When you go through tricks in slow motion you understand so much better. What's also cool is they serve as a recap of the day and you get to see everything, not only the riding of a few people.

The camps run throughout the duration of winter,  are there any differences between them?
Basically they are the same! Each resort and location has different advantages but we make sure to have a great park all the time. Conditions can make a difference as well. With fresh pow, I guess we won't shred park all day. We try to make sure to ask the campers what they want as well.

It seems these are super intense weekend camps, what do you expect the kids to take away at the end of it?
To be stoked, that they had a great time and made new riding buddies.

Awesome, thanx man. Where can we find out more information on the camps?
On elooa.com and on facebook.com/elooa.community. There you can find all the info on this winter's camps.