Production Has Begun: First Waka Glide Boards Roll Off the Line in Thailand
May 26, 2025
Production Has Begun: First Waka Glide Boards Roll Off the Line in Thailand
The moment we've all been waiting for is finally here. After two years of intensive development, testing, and refinement, the first Waka Glide folding foil boards have officially rolled off the production line at COBRA International's state-of-the-art facility in Thailand.
Our CEO Nigel Thompson is currently on-site in Thailand, overseeing the final stages of production and quality control. In an exclusive behind-the-scenes video, Nigel showcases the first batch of finished production boards, revealing the exceptional craftsmanship and attention to detail that defines every Waka Glide.
Precision Manufacturing Process
The journey to production hasn't been without its challenges, but every obstacle has led to a better final product. While we initially hoped for earlier delivery, we made the strategic decision to refine our manufacturing process to meet the exacting precision requirements that the Waka Glide demands.
This meant developing custom tooling and pressure molds for each model that vacuum compress the laminate and EPS foam in a single integrated process. This ensures all fitments are perfectly aligned – a critical requirement for our revolutionary WAKA TravelFold™ technology to function flawlessly.
"The precision required for the folding mechanism is unlike anything we've manufactured before," explains Nigel in the production video. "Every measurement has to be perfect for the hinge system to work seamlessly, which is why we invested the extra time in creating these specialized molds."
Behind-the-Scenes at COBRA International
Working with COBRA International – a global leader in composite manufacturing with over 40 years of experience – has been essential to bringing the Waka Glide to life. Their expertise in advanced composite production has allowed us to integrate our patent-pending folding technology seamlessly into a world-class manufacturing process.
The production photos reveal the intricate process of creating each board:
- Precise carbon fiber layup with our integrated hinge system
- Vacuum compression molding for perfect consistency
- Quality control testing of every folding mechanism
- Hand-finishing of all fitments and hardware
Mid-Summer Delivery Confirmed
We're now targeting mid-summer delivery, with exact dates to be announced in the next couple of weeks. All pre-order customers are guaranteed to receive their boards in this first shipment – we've ensured our production run covers every pre-order commitment.
The additional time invested in perfecting our manufacturing process means you'll receive a board that meets the highest standards of quality and precision. As Nigel puts it: "Every extra day we spent perfecting this process translates to years of reliable performance on the water."
What's Next
In addition to this production update video, we'll be releasing a comprehensive behind-the-scenes documentary showing exactly how these revolutionary boards are manufactured – from the initial carbon fiber layup to the final quality control testing of the folding mechanism.
The first container of Waka Glides will be making its way stateside soon, and we couldn't be more excited to get these game-changing boards into the hands of foiling enthusiasts worldwide.
Stay tuned for the full manufacturing documentary coming soon.
For those still considering joining the Waka Glide revolution, limited inventory remains available for this first production run. Once this allocation sells out, new orders will wait for our next production batch arriving in early fall.
Follow our production journey on social media for the latest updates and behind-the-scenes content:
