Meet our trainers, a passionate group of snowboarding enthusiasts who are just as committed to your progress as you are. Whether you’ve just nailed your first 180 or landed a switch back 9, their excitement is just as big. They’re here to support and celebrate every step of your journey!
Ryan Rausch
Ryan
Technical Director
Meet Ryan Rausch, our technical director
Ryan Rausch is a seasoned Canadian snowboard coach with a deep passion for the sport and over 20 years of experience. Beginning his coaching journey in high school, Ryan Rausch quickly rose through the ranks, bringing his expertise not only to the slopes but also to the competitive world stage. As a former competitor and judge on the World Cup tour, he brings a unique perspective to coaching, understanding both the athletic and technical aspects of snowboarding.
Throughout his career, Ryan Rausch has had the privilege of coaching elite athletes, guiding them through some of the sport’s most prestigious events, including the Paralympic and Olympic Games. His ability to develop athletes of all levels, from grassroots talent to world-class competitors, sets him apart. Ryan Rausch’s hands-on experience as a judge on the World Cup tour further enriches his coaching approach, allowing him to focus on the fine details that can make the difference in high-level competitions.
With a deep commitment to athlete development, Ryan Rausch is dedicated to helping each rider unlock their full potential on the snow, while fostering a love for the sport that extends beyond the competition.
Lars Zwager
Lars
Rail Specialist
Meet Lars, your Rail Specialist in Snowboard Training
Lars is passionate about snowboarding and loves sharing that passion with others. Snowboarding is his favorite activity, and he hopes to inspire others to feel the same way. As a trainer, Lars specializes in coaching on rails, an area he has a strong preference for himself.
This is his second season with NEXT, and after an amazing first season, he looks forward to more inspiring experiences. Lars spent a year in Austria, where he traveled with a group of riders to competitions and training sessions. Many of these riders are now competing in the World Cup, and they have taught him a lot, serving as a significant source of inspiration for his coaching.
Kim Stuffers
Kim
Pro-coach/Judge
Meet Kim,
Kim is a freestyle snowboard trainer specializing in rails, kickers, and street riding. She began her coaching career at 21 in Amsterdam at Boardchamps and later assisted the TeamNL rookieteam. Currently, she has been with NeXT/Shredmasters and their talent program for two years.
Kim’s competition experience in coaching is at Europacups, Valley Rally, and the Freestyle Tour, and has competed herself in comps around Europe like Rock a Rail, Roxy Chicken Jam and the Freeride World Tour. She also judges FIS freestyle and freeride competitions, works as a sports performance coach in Scheveningen, and serves as an advisor for healthy living environments with the government.
Supported by Salomon Snowboards, Blue Tomato, BakedSnow, and Protect Our Winters, Kim is dedicated to helping riders of all levels excel on the mountain while enjoying the journey!
Thom Vogel
Thom
Snowboard trainer
Meet Thom, a.k.a. Mr. Bird
He has been a passionate snowboarder since the age of 8. Now, he trains and coaches riders from both NeXT and Shredmasters. He primarily leads training camps abroad and runs his own training sessions, called “Birdclinics,” at SnowWorld Landgraaf. In his opinion, kicker training abroad is the most enjoyable because of its clear focus on technique, while indoor rail training is fun due to the quick laps and the variety of tricks that can be performed one after another.
In addition to running multiple outdoor camps, he has also coached riders during indoor competitions (Freestyle Tour) and outdoor competitions (Kids Laax Open). What he enjoys most about being a trainer/coach is helping riders pursue their dreams and witnessing real progress when training them over time. He gets super excited when a rider performs and lands a (new) trick perfectly.
He has taught snowboarding for a season at Absolut Park, after earning his Anwärter certification. Last season, he completed the training for TC3 (Trainer/Coach Level 3).
In January 2025, he is set to participate in the Winter World University Games, for which he is highly motivated. He has competed in FIS competitions, achieving podium finishes, and in the 2023-2024 season, he became the Dutch indoor snowboarding champion. He always looks forward to training with you! Have fun!
Bram Visser
Bram
Snowboard trainer
Meet Bram,
he is an enthusiastic and patient snowboarding coach with a passion for the mountains. He has been snowboarding for 18 years, and as a qualified gym teacher and certified Austrian Landes instructor, he guides you on the slopes with great pleasure and energy. Whether you’re just starting with freestyle or want to refine your park skills, he’s happy to help you confidently and with a smile as you fly down through the fun park!”
Mitchell van der Krogt
Mitchell
Snowboard trainer
Meet Mitchell,
he has been providing training and coaching at competitions since 2019. Before that, he participated in many competitions himself, including several European Cups both domestically and abroad. He is eager to share this experience with others and finds it incredibly rewarding to teach people or watch them grow in the sport and as individuals. He has also coached at several FIS competitions and European Cups, and his knowledge from his Master’s in Movement Sciences greatly helps him in finding the right tips and making decisions, whether it’s about nutrition, mentality, strength, or technique. Lastly, a quick shoutout to his sponsors via Stairss Distribution: 32, Libtech, and Bent Metal.
Pieter Kralt
Pieter
Snowboard trainer
Meet Pieter Kralt.
Pieter has been training for NeXT for over five years, taking a step down this season. But still available for back up, if required.
Bart Poll
Bart
Snowboard trainer
Meet Bart,
he’s the kind of guy that don’t talk much, but lets his tricks do the talking. As our back up coach, he steps in when others can’t.
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Snowboard trainer
We have a new coach coming up, more coming!