• Price: $550
• Category: Park/Jib
• Ability Level: Intermediate, Advanced
• Size: 146, 149, 151, 153, 154w, 156, 157w, 159, 160
• Flex: 4/10
• Shape: True Twin
• Profile: Hybrid
• Base: Sintered
• New for 2020/21

New for this season Never Summer have released their all new park focused portmanteau- The ProtoSlinger. Like Dr Frankenstein cackling in the moonlight and creating his monster, they’ve spliced together the best bits of their now obsolete Fun Slinger and Proto Type Two to create a soft flexing freestyle deck with a whole bunch of tricks up its sleeve.

Never Summer have long championed the hybrid profile movement, and have used their new Shock Wave Rocker Camber profile to get their signature versatile ride, but with extended camber zones for a more powerful feel. The Proto Slinger has more in the way of pop and aggression, so you can expect to be sending it off side hits whilst keeping that stable ride for long run ins in the park.

“This large camber section means it’s great for edge hold and transferring power from heel to toe whilst the smaller rocker section still maintains float”

The rocker has been shortened by about a third to keep that easy turn initiation and float. This board also has a softer mid section between the feet allowing the rider to hold that press even longer on boxes and rails.

Double carbon v beams run from underneath the inserts to both the nose and tail to give it extra rebound and snap. The stiffer nose and tail allows you to be more playful when cruising along on the flat, you’ll be able to load up the nose or the tail for maximum boostability in your ollies and nollies, while keeping the mid section soft for easier control from edge to edge. The Proto Slinger also comes in a wider size so toe-overhang wil be something of a distant memory.

“Increased dampening has been added in the tips and through the midbody for a smoother ride when you’re charging around choppy pistes”

Knuckling kickers sucks, the shock waves reverberating through your body as your knees smash into your chin and your head snaps back like the top of a pez dispenser. We don’t wish that on anyone, so to keep you mach 10, Never Summer have used their Durasurf XT Sintered 5501 Base, yes, it’s a mouthful but it’s the fastest in their range and goes like the absolute clappers.

You don’t have to worry about trashing this stick in the park, either. You can chuck it around as much as you like. Never Summer pride themselves on their premium topsheets; dink, chip and scratch proof, you have their permission to hit up even the gnarliest of features.

An ideal playful yet high performance freestyle board for the park rats among us or for someone who just prefers a softer, more forgiving ride as they shred around the rest of the mountain.