Yeah I know it has been a while since I have graced the POP blog. I could make many excuses but I guess sometimes life just gets away from you…..

Anyway, last week I finally crossed an item off my life list, to go shred summer camp. Now for any kid growing up in North America this is not that special as summer camp is a North American institution. Kids get shipped to all different camps to learn new skills, meet some new buddies and give their parents some space. Well if you are lucky your parents are cool and will send you to snowboard summer camp and not band camp.

Last week I ventured up to the last day of The Camp Of Champions (COC) with POP legend Jan, to check it all out. COC takes place on the Blackcomb Glacier and for 4 weeks kids from all over the globe get coached by some of the biggest pros in the game (providing they can make it through the USA/Canada boarder).

One thing I never realised was how much of a process it was to just get to the glacier. It starts with two chair lift rides, a bus and then one more chair just for good measure. Once you are there you swap your thongs for boots, slap on some sunscreen and get ready to ride. The glacier has a number of areas, the public area is where anyone can ride, but other than the pipe it is really a waste of time. Most of the resources on the glacier goes into the various camps, including COC and 2 ski camps.

For COC you need an access pass to get in and shred the various kickers, jibs and the famous Bag Jump. To get a pass you can either be a camper, have a pro camp pass where you just shred, you can sponsor the camp or start a blog and try your luck as a media outlet (the last option is the cheapest).

Camp is all about progression and learning that new trick for your up coming season. So while many think it is the end of the season I think it is really where your season should kick off. As if you are serious about your snowboarding you should start your season at summer camp, then go to the southern hemisphere where you will have a head start on the competition. While everyone else is waiting for snow you are dialing in your new bag of tricks for the now lucrative southern hemisphere competition circuit. Once you clean up book a trip back north (via Indo to get some surfing in) and start the powder and coverage hunt….. Well that is how I would do it if I had the talent to land more than a shifty.

So if you are wanting to be the next big thing or just want a new snowboarding experience make sure you put summer camp on your list.

Part of the ride up.

The Horstman Glacier.

COC entry tent.

View of the set up from the rock garden.

The Bag Jump.

A couple more photos of the camp can be found at somethinginthewoods.com