Industry Expert Validates Waka Glide: MACkiteboarding's Tucker Answers "Can a Folding Foil Board Really Perform?"

Independent review from one of foiling's most trusted voices delivers surprising findings

"Can a folding foil board really perform?"

It's the question every traveling foiler has wondered, and now Tucker from MACkiteboarding has the answer. After hands-on testing of the revolutionary Waka Glide, one of the industry's most respected voices delivered findings that surprised even us.

With over 20 years of foiling experience and a reputation for brutally honest reviews, Tucker's evaluation carries serious weight in our community. His initial assessment? The Waka Glide doesn't just solve the travel problem—it does so without compromising the performance that serious foilers demand.

Why Tucker's Opinion Matters

Tucker VanTol isn't just another reviewer. As MACkiteboarding's resident foil expert and testing specialist, he's built a reputation on one simple principle: they ride what they sell. For over two decades, Tucker has been putting gear through its paces, from Hood River to remote breaks around the world.

MACkiteboarding has been "sharing the foiling stoke since 1999," making them one of the most experienced foil retailers in the US. When Tucker speaks, the foiling community listens—because they know he's going to tell the truth, even if it's not what brands want to hear.

That's exactly why his Waka Glide evaluation is so significant.

The Skeptical Expert's Surprising Findings

Tucker approached the Waka Glide with the healthy skepticism that every experienced foiler brings to "revolutionary" claims. Folding boards, after all, have a challenging history of compromising performance for portability.

But his hands-on evaluation revealed something different entirely.

Weight: "Feels as Light as a Standard Carbon Board"

One of Tucker's first observations immediately addressed a key concern: "One of the first things Tucker noticed when he picked up the board in its bag was how light it was. It didn't feel like it weighed any more than a standard carbon board in spite of its two bulkheads in the center."

This finding is crucial. Our patent-pending WAKA TravelFold™ technology adds only about half a kilogram to the total weight—and Tucker confirmed that this minimal addition doesn't translate to a heavier feel during handling or transport.

Structural Integrity: "It Also Doesn't Flex"

Perhaps the most critical test for any folding board is structural integrity under load. Tucker's assessment was unequivocal: "It also doesn't flex. Once unfolded, it's locked into position with three bolts through the bulkheads."

He went further, noting that during testing, "Nigel tested the board with just one bolt to hold it open, and it still didn't flex because the hinge was so strong." This speaks to the fundamental engineering philosophy behind our carbon-kevlar living hinge system—it's not just a folding mechanism, it's an integral structural component.

Build Quality: "Just What You'd Expect from Top Factory Like Cobra"

Manufacturing quality matters, especially when introducing new technology. Tucker's evaluation of our production boards was telling: "The fit and finish of the first production boards is great, and just what you'd expect from a top factory like Cobra."

This validation comes from someone who's handled hundreds of foil boards over two decades. When Tucker says the quality meets the standards of COBRA International—a global leader in composite manufacturing—that's industry recognition of the highest order.

Real-World Travel Validation

But Tucker's review went beyond lab-test conditions. He highlighted real-world travel scenarios that prove the Waka Glide's practical advantages:

Airline Travel Made Simple: Tucker noted how our founder Nigel's recent trip to La Ventana resulted in a gear bag that "was right at 50lbs. There was no drama at the airline check-in counter." No oversized fees, no special handling requirements—just standard checked luggage.

Transportation Freedom: "When he arrived he was able to rent a small sedan instead of an SUV at twice the price. That's a significant cost savings for a week or two car rental." This isn't just about convenience—it's about expanding your travel options and reducing costs.

Security Benefits: As Tucker pointed out, "It's also much safer to walk away from your gear with it in the trunk instead of on the roof." Anyone who's worried about gear theft from roof racks knows exactly what he means.

The One-Board Solution Validated

Tucker understood immediately what we designed the Waka Glide to be: "The board was designed as a one-board quiver. Even folded in half, you aren't going to want to bring two or three boards on a trip, so you need something that will work in a variety of conditions."

His assessment of our mid-length design philosophy was spot-on: "It's efficient in light wind, yet narrow enough to have some versatility across sports like prone, kite or parawing." This versatility is exactly what traveling foilers need—one board that performs across conditions and disciplines.

What This Means for the Foiling Community

Tucker's evaluation validates what we've believed all along: you shouldn't have to choose between performance and portability. As he put it, "The amount of innovation we've seen lately in foilboarding makes our sport incredibly exciting."

The Waka Glide represents a fundamental shift in how we think about foil board design. By solving the transportation challenge without compromising ride quality, we're removing one of the biggest barriers to foiling adventures.

For Experienced Travelers

Tucker was clear about the target market: "The Glide was designed for people who travel 2-3 times a year and want to bring just one board with no stress or hassle. It's for experienced riders who want a performance board at their destination."

If you're tired of inflatable compromises or the logistics nightmare of traveling with traditional rigid boards, Tucker's findings suggest the Waka Glide delivers the solution you've been waiting for.

For Performance-Focused Riders

"Advanced riders will find that it does everything they need with the feel of a regular high-performance board," Tucker concluded. This isn't a travel board that happens to work—it's a performance board that happens to fold.

The Expert's Verdict

Tucker's conclusion was as straightforward as his reputation suggests: "Tucker will be back soon with a full review, but at first glance he's excited to see these boards. He's been wishing for a high performance travel board option, and the Waka Glide looks promising indeed."

From someone who's spent decades testing gear and built a reputation on honest assessment, that's exactly the kind of validation we hoped to see.

Looking Ahead: Full Review Coming

Tucker's initial evaluation is just the beginning. He's promised a comprehensive review after extensive water testing, and we're confident his findings will continue to validate our engineering approach.

In the meantime, his hands-on assessment answers the fundamental question that every foiler has asked: yes, a folding foil board can really perform.

Experience the Innovation Yourself

The Waka Glide is currently shipping globally, with boards available in sizes from 66L to 111L. Each board includes our premium insulated day bag, with the optional Rolling Waka travel system available for the ultimate travel setup.

Tucker's independent validation confirms what our two years of development and testing across Hood River, New Zealand, and La Ventana revealed: the future of foiling is about removing constraints, not accepting compromises.

Ready to experience the revolution? Pre-order your Waka Glide today and discover why industry experts are calling it the travel board they've been waiting for.

Read Tucker's complete review and watch his hands-on evaluation at MACkiteboarding's blog

Want to stay updated on Tucker's full review and other Waka news? Join our newsletter for the latest updates from the world of folding foil boards.