WAKA Glide Folding Wing Foil Board | So Good You Forget It Folds!

When the guys first caught wind of the Waka folding foilboard this past winter, they were, shall we say... cautiously optimistic. It looked like one of those ideas that sounded good in theory, but ultimately turned out to be gimmicky. We've had split boards for kiteboarding, windsurfing, paddleboarding, and surfing for decades now, and all have fallen short, so the odds of success for a folding foilboard didn't seem too high. It might be heavy, expensive, and give up a lot of performance just for one cute trick. Incredibly, none of those concerns materialized, and now the guys are genuinely amped on this board.

What Are Some Features of the Waka Glide?

A month ago, Tucker was able to arrange for the board's designer, Nigel, to visit the shop and go over the features of the Waka Glide with us. Everything about it looked well-thought-out and high quality. We go into detail about the board's features in that blog post, but to recap, the features list reads like that of many high-performance boards, with one truly unique attribute:

• Lightweight full carbon and EPS core construction
• V displacement hull in front half for forward projection and drive
• Flat tail section for lift and release
• Thinner profile for a more direct connection to your foil
• 14-inch foil track with drop-in slots
• Recessed deck pad with kick tail
• No strap inserts
• Carry handles
• Durable hinge rated for a million folds
• Custom day bag

Who Is the Waka Glide Folding Foilboard For?

There are three main reasons people are likely to buy this board. Some need a board that fits in their car or apartment. Others need a board they can travel with. And some have a long enough trek to the water's edge that hauling a full-size board just isn't practical. These groups (which may certainly overlap) all want a board that doesn't compromise on performance. For folks with limited space, this is their board that they're going to use every session. And the ones who travel are generally advanced enough riders that they're planning these trips to experience riding in new places.

Nigel figures that everyone who buys this board is going to need a bag, so he included one. It's a day bag, but it's a really nice day bag. The 10mm padding is thick enough that Tucker says he'd have no problem taking it on a plane, and it certainly provides plenty of protection for tossing it in the trunk of your car. If you have a bit more space in your vehicle, there's a foil slot in the bag so you can leave your foil attached. And the crossbody strap makes the board effortless to schlep to the beach.

For more serious travelers, a rolling travel bag is available as well. It fits the board packed inside its day bag, plus your wings, foil, and other accessories. Just keep it under 50lbs and you're good to fly with most airlines.

What Did Tucker Think About the Waka Glide?

When Tucker passed by his local crew while carrying the pre-assembled Glide, they were curious about the new board but didn't realize it was a split board. The strategically-placed white band makes it pretty incognito. It certainly doesn't scream "travel board".

Tucker was really pleased with the sizes that were chosen for the range. The length-to-width proportions seemed spot on to him, and he was glad the boards weren't made thicker to save on length.

The inset traction pad concerned Tucker a bit. It's designed that way so that the board can fold flat on itself, but it's also quite firm and Tucker wasn't sure it'd have enough grip for a board without straps and that it might be a bit hard on the knees. Thankfully, that wasn't the case at all. He had it out in chilly 42F water (5.5C) and it was still grippy. It was comfortable on his knees as well.

The Glide's range is impressive. Tucker went out in 20 knots on the 88L and a 4.2m parawing, then came in to see if he could ride it with a 3m parawing, and he still got up effortlessly. That's not something he felt he could have pulled off with most boards that size.

In fact, it rode so well that he'd pick that size as his travel board rather than the 66L or 77L he initially thought would be his first choice. These boards are so sleek and light that the swing weight makes them feel much smaller than they are once you're up on foil, and it was nice not having to struggle to get up in light wind. He felt there was no reason not to go ahead and size up so you're prepared for whatever conditions you get while on your trip.

After getting both light and high wind sessions on the Waka Glide, Tucker felt this was a board he'd choose because he wanted to ride it, and not because it was the only one that fit on the plane. There's nothing he'd want to change about it; he just wants to go ride it, and he's a bit sad they have to send back the demos and wait for the official release like everyone else.

What Did Jeff Think About the Waka Glide?

Before he even got on the water, Jeff was blown away by the Waka Glide. It was lightweight and had a great shape, with just the right length to width ratio. He was glad a tool was included for putting in the screws, though it took some time to get them in since you can't turn the tool very far before hitting the sides of the board. However, word is that Nigel's working on a custom tool to speed things up.

Assembly wasn't why it took Jeff 30 minutes to get in the water with the board, though. As soon as he pulled it out of his car, it attracted a crowd of curious wingers who wanted to see what it was all about. If you're the first one on your beach with this board, you may want to plan a little extra session time until the word gets around.

Jeff boldly took the Glide on a 30-mile downwinder his first time out and didn't have any issues. It was cold, the waves were shoulder-high, and the wind was 22-30 knots, and he made it from Muskegon to Grand Haven and even played around in the waves and by the pier a bit. He was on a surfy foil and had a ton of fun. The board was a little longer than he'd normally take in the waves and he did hit the nose a couple times, but moving the mast up helped with that, so the board's length really didn't hold him back at all.

Like Tucker, Jeff was a bit concerned about how comfortable the traction pad might be, but it was great. He was wearing booties and didn't slip or experience foot fatigue. He also likes to climb on from the side of the board, and even with the traction pad being inset, he didn't bang up his shins on the rail at all, though he does usually wear a wetsuit.

The hinge/screw box in the center of the pad made a handy point of reference for his foot placement. The board is black and the pad is black, but the board's name and size are printed there in white, so it's easy to spot at a glance. The orange center line is helpful, too.

Jeff's second time out was a light wind day, only 11-14 knots. He was on the 77L and it popped up with ease. He usually rides 60-70L boards, but was impressed with the speed and stability for its size. Despite the V hull, it wasn't tracky and he could point it exactly where he needed to take advantage of what wind there was.

After spending some time with the Glide, Jeff came to the same conclusion as Tucker about sizing up. He'd also thought he'd want a smaller board, but the 77 felt so great on foil and was so stress-free getting up that he'd now pick that one to bring on vacation. The lightweight construction, shape and design all contributed to that magical combination and left him stoked.

How's the Price for the Waka Glide Compare?

While this isn't a cheap board, it's surprisingly in line for a high-quality carbon board, especially when you add in the included day bag which would be a separate purchase for most boards. It's almost like its ability to fold is a free bonus feature for a board of this caliber.

The real value is realized if you use it to travel, though. The savings over transporting a full-size board will soon pay for this board. You won't need to cough up oversized fees on the plane or in shipping. You can even rent a smaller car and save a few bucks every day. If you've got two places you like to ride regularly, like your home spot and then a cabin, vacation condo, or a boat, you won't need a board for each location since this one is so easy to transport. So if you need to clear this purchase with your Minister of Finance, it shouldn't be too difficult to justify.

Tips for Using Your Waka Glide

Be sure to thoroughly clean the bulkheads before unfolding the board. If you have any sand or debris in there, it's going to cause wear and tear the whole time you're riding.

Watch your fingers as you unfold the board so you don't pinch them. Ouch!

You need 3 M8 x 30 screws to lock the board open. An extra set is included, but it wouldn't hurt to have another spare set or two squirreled away with your gear, in your suitcase, or in your car. We all know that a screw that drops into the sand might as well have fallen into a pool of molten lava, as it ceases to exist immediately.

Fun Fact About the Waka Name

Not that we're calling Nigel old, but he spent many a quarter playing Pac-Man as a kid and never once let his initials fall off the Top Ten list at his local arcade. Late one night, as he was folding and unfolding his new board to personally test its million-cycle durability, he was reminded of the hungry hero as he munched around the maze, going "waka, waka, waka"...

Nah, just kidding! The actual story is way better. Nigel is from New Zealand, where boats have always been a central part of the culture. "Waka", or canoes, were used by the Maori for fishing, recreation, and travel and are a part of their tribal identity. Since the Waka Glide is a vessel designed for travel, it's a clever name that pays homage to its New Zealand roots.

Are There Any Downsides with the Waka Glide?

The Glide is not a great choice for brand new riders with no boardsports experience. It's just a bit narrow to learn on if you haven't got your sea legs yet. However, athletic people with some time on the water will be able to learn on the larger sizes. That said, many people looking at this board are already up and foiling anyway and are looking for something they can travel with, but without regressing to a lesser-performing board.

The time to lock the board open can be a bit of a pain if this is your everyday board and you need to fold it shut after each session. There isn't much room to turn the right-angle screwdriver, so assembly and disassembly does take a minute. It's still faster than pumping up an inflatable, though.

Does the Waka Glide Actually Live Up to the Hype?

The guys couldn't find anything about the board's performance that they didn't like. Once they got on the water, the Waka Glide looked and rode like a high-performance carbon board. Nigel's no-compromise vision for it avoided all the pitfalls of travel-friendly gear to produce a board that Tucker and Jeff would be stoked to ride any day. Let's just say that if you get on the phone with one of them, you'd better have some time set aside to chat.

It's truly innovative and changes what's possible for travelers and riders with limited space. There was zero flex, even when pumping hard, and the graphics hide the seam so well that most people won't realize you're on a split board. Especially noteworthy is that when they talked about the Waka Glide's performance, not once did the guys include the caveat *for a travel board. It's a great board, period, not asterisk.

When Can I Get My Waka Glide?

Soon! Maybe even now, depending on when you're reading this. It's currently mid-July, and shipments are expected to arrive in August or September. Pre-orders are open, and if you've decided to get one, it might be a good idea to get your name on the list since initial shipments will be first-come, first-served. A volume around your weight in kilos is usually about right, but give the shop a call or hop on chat if you'd like help deciding which size you need. They'll come in volumes from 66L-111L, and each size is designed to have a wide enough range to be a one-board quiver (because who wants to travel with more than one?), so getting the right size is key. Happy travels, and enjoy the stoke!

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