Eco-Friendly Elegance with Little Bay Boards
Custom Built and In Stock – Ready to Ride
Wood Stand Up Paddle Boards, Surfboards, Lake Inspired Art, Gifts and more!
Combining Eco-Friendly Elegance with Unmatched Craftsmanship
Visit our Workshop and Showroom at 355 N. Division Rd, Petoskey, Michigan
WHY RIDE A REAL WOOD STAND UP PADDLE BOARD?
Feel the resonance
Experience a deeper connection with the waters you ride
Eco-Friendly
Handcrafted
Natural Beauty
Made in the USA
Built with Sustainably Forested Lumber
IN THE BEGINNING
In 1873, the people living along Little Traverse Bay named their settlement “Petoskey,” in honor of Chief Petosegay. Chief Petosegay was born on the banks of the Kalamazoo River, moved north, and was raised near the shores of the Little Traverse Bay near what is now Harbor Springs, Michigan.
139 years later, Chief Petosegay’s great-great-great-great granddaughter, Shawni, wanted to explore the waterways of northern Michigan.
She asked her father for a Standup Paddle Board, but not just any paddle board made of toxic foam or plastic, she wanted the best paddle board.
With an instinct for earth care, Shawni wanted a stand up paddle board made out of natural materials.
As a master carpenter, Shawni’s father, Jason Thelen, knew he could build her one of the best paddle boards out of wood, to give her an eco-friendly alternative to the plastic and foam boards that currently dominate the stand up paddle board marketplace.
In the spring of 2012, Jason built the first Little Bay Board.
Shawni was now able to experience a deeper connection with nature as she explored the waterways of northern Michigan on her wooden Standup Paddleboard, custom-built by her father.
Soon after, Jason began having a deeper connection with the folks in the beach parking lots, asking him where they got “that beautiful paddle board?!”
By the summer of 2012, Little Bay Boards was born and Jason began building paddle boards for other people who wanted to experience the best standup paddle boards nature can offer.
The Details | FAQ
The Details - About Our Paddle Boards A better ride for a better planet, Eco-Friendly Wood Stand-Up Paddle BoardsEach and every Little Bay...
Product Review | Wood Paddle Board
Pro SUP Athlete Girard Middleton from Sobe Surf & Paddle gives his review on the look and feel of the ride on a Little Bay...
Our New Story | Scaling SUP
It's the same thing every morning. I walk in here and my mind is blown. I breathe in the air, the fresh smell of lumber. I look at...
Custom Paddle Board Gallery
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Wow. Just wow! I popped my new board in Burt Lake just hours after we picked it up. Even in the waves it was magic. I can honestly say that there is a real energy that is given off by that real wood. Like it is alive! I will treasure it forever.
I took my board for her maiden voyage yesterday in Little Traverse Bay. What a special ride it was. It’s true what Jason says, the wood is alive and standing on my Little Bay Boards was unlike any other paddle board. I can’t say enough about the craftmanship and artistry of Jason. Thank you very much.
Little Bay Boards Mentioned in Modern Luxury
In the airy living room, a refinished Chairish-sourced kayak by Little Bay Boards makes a splash above a custom sofa and coffee table designed by Gemma Parker.
MyNorth & Traverse Magazine 2025 Summer Vacation Guide
Many thanks to photo extrordinaire Kate Headley and summer fun model Quinn Breslin for showing off one of our classic wooden surfboards on the cover of the Summer 2025 Vacation Guide!
GMC Boundless – EV with wood paddle board!
Little Bay Boards is excited to share that we've been featured in GMC's November 2024 issue of Boundless Magazine, highlighting the...
This board is my husband’s and he absolutely loves it! It is incredibly light at 28 lbs and maneuvers so easily. It doesn’t pitch or rock in waves as much as our older “traditional” board. We are extremely happy that we had this beauty crafted by Jason!
I couldn’t be happier with by board from Little Bay Boards! Its the perfect balance of form and function. Jason is brilliant with his work and his art is not only beautiful but provides the best ride I’ve ever had.
Building your own paddle board; Pros and Cons
By Jason Thelen of Little Bay Boards I’ve been building hollow wood boards for 12 years. Somewhere around 500 finely crafted wood paddle...
Bears and Bolts
Some Grateful Dead Standup Paddleboard art... Bear and Bolts Constructed in late summer 2020, these Grateful Dead inspired Stand Up Paddle...
Surprise Paddleboard Gift Giving
On November 6th we had the incredible opportunity to participate in a glorious act of gift giving. Check it out...
We met Jason Thelen today, the artist and builder of my beautiful board. A wonderful experience from start to finish. Though the final product was a surprise, Jason created exactly what I wanted. I immediately put it in the river upon returning home to Leland and was so delighted with the ride. Found my sweet spot for standing and she glided beautifully. The board is very stable and I loved the reverberation of the water through the wood. Jason’s thoughtfulness in construction is even evident in the paddle which is only a pound and is curved to reduce stress on the arms and back. Wow!! So happy!! And the board is only 28 lbs! Thank you Jason! JOY!!
I have had my board for two years now and love it more every time I go out. I have taken it on vacation in many states. Paddled the ocean and all Great Lakes. It still looks like new. Everywhere I go I get compliments and questions. All of Jason designs are unique and I was thrilled to be able to have input into the design. He is an amazing craftsman, designer and all round great guy. I plan to have my board till I can’t stand on it any longer. It is my greatest stress reliever and adventure taker ever. Thanks Jason!
I am so in love with my new board. I got everything I had asked for custom plus more. Thank you so much!
In the stillness of the morning, clarity begins to bloom. 🌄💭
As the sun rises, pause and reconnect with your dreams and goals.
What`s one thing you`re striving for this week?
We`d love to hear what`s on your heart—share it below. 🌊✨
#LittleBayBoards #sundayreset #paddleboards #handcrafted #woodenboards
PC: @chels_bay
In the stillness of the morning, clarity begins to bloom. 🌄💭
As the sun rises, pause and reconnect with your dreams and goals.
What`s one thing you`re striving for this week?
We`d love to hear what`s on your heart—share it below. 🌊✨
#LittleBayBoards #sundayreset #paddleboards #handcrafted #woodenboards
PC: @chels_bay
Signing prints for “Swell,” a gallery exhibition opening this Friday at the South Haven Community Art Center. This show is a collaboration with mosaic artists Sue Majewski and Ruth Tykstra, and wooden surfboard shaper Jason Thelen. Together, we’ve created a visual tribute to the power, depth, and greatness of the Great Lakes—waters that shape us, move us, and hold stories far beyond our own.
More details at the link in my bio. Hope to see you there. 🌊
Friday, June 20:
Artist Panel Discussion from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.
Opening Reception from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Location:
South Haven Center for the Arts
600 Phoenix St
South Haven, MI 49090
#greatlakes #waterphotography #surfphotography #northernmichiganartists
Signing prints for “Swell,” a gallery exhibition opening this Friday at the South Haven Community Art Center. This show is a collaboration with mosaic artists Sue Majewski and Ruth Tykstra, and wooden surfboard shaper Jason Thelen. Together, we’ve created a visual tribute to the power, depth, and greatness of the Great Lakes—waters that shape us, move us, and hold stories far beyond our own.
More details at the link in my bio. Hope to see you there. 🌊
Friday, June 20:
Artist Panel Discussion from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.
Opening Reception from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Location:
South Haven Center for the Arts
600 Phoenix St
South Haven, MI 49090
#greatlakes #waterphotography #surfphotography #northernmichiganartists
Yall ready for something legendary.? #woodlovers #sup #hollowcore #woodworking
Some of the coolest wall arts pieces we make. Here’s a little look at the process.
“Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending.” - Carl Bard
“Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending.” - Carl Bard
summer is here! And a new COVER for mynorthmedia staring quinn_breslin_ …who else is excited for lake life?! 🙋🏼♀️⛵️🙋🏼♀️🏄🏼♀️🙋🏼♀️
littlebayboards
summer is here! And a new COVER for mynorthmedia staring quinn_breslin_ …who else is excited for lake life?! 🙋🏼♀️⛵️🙋🏼♀️🏄🏼♀️🙋🏼♀️
littlebayboards
This beauty is sold but not forgotten. What a fun piece it was to work on and now we are onto fresh designs. #wakesurfer #wakesurf #wakesurfing #woodlovers
This beauty is sold but not forgotten. What a fun piece it was to work on and now we are onto fresh designs. #wakesurfer #wakesurf #wakesurfing #woodlovers
Perfect weather this weekend for the HHI Art Festival sheltercoveharbourmarina coordinated by nashgalleryhhi ☀️ 🌴I saw lots of impressive sculptures, jewelry, photography, metal work, paintings, glass work and so much more!
Friday & Sat 10am-6pm
Sunday 10am-4pm
Shelter Cove Harbour Marina
Have a fun and safe weekend! littlefishboateak littlebayboards
Perfect weather this weekend for the HHI Art Festival sheltercoveharbourmarina coordinated by nashgalleryhhi ☀️ 🌴I saw lots of impressive sculptures, jewelry, photography, metal work, paintings, glass work and so much more!
Friday & Sat 10am-6pm
Sunday 10am-4pm
Shelter Cove Harbour Marina
Have a fun and safe weekend! littlefishboateak littlebayboards
Dive in! Our major summer exhibition IMMERSED opens today with May Swirl (5:30 - 7:00 PM, ticketed), open to the public tomorrow, and on view through August 31. Come explore this powerful, multi-sensory journey into the cultural, environmental, and creative dimensions of water.
Featuring work by more than 30 artists, scientists, and community partners, IMMERSED goes beyond the gallery with our IMMERSED free public programming, including artist talks, workshops, films, and our signature Coffee @ Ten lecture series — all free and open to the public.
Opening Reception:
📅 Saturday, May 24 | 🕔 5:00 – 7:00 pm
📍Free & open to all — come celebrate with us!
We extend our heartfelt thanks to our Visual Arts Presenter, comfortkeepersnomi comfortkeeperspetoskey, and to the Winifred Johnson Clive Foundation, boyneboatyardofficial, vandamcustomboats, and bayviewmichigan, along with many generous in-kind sponsors, for making this extraordinary exhibition possible.
Let’s celebrate the life, legacy, and future of our Great Lakes. Learn more at the 🔗in our bio.
Featuring: Sara Adlerstein-Gonzales, Calla Beers, Dewey Blocksma, Gretchen Dorian, Elizabeth Fergus-Jean, The Gijigowi Anishinaabemowin Language Department (GALD), Ladislav Hanka, Deanna Hergt-Willmott, Harold Herman, Sarah Innes, Little Bay Boards, Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians—The Repatriation, Archives and Records Department, Susan Lyman, Natalie Miebach Bryanna Manning, Heidi Marshall, Mary Bea McWatters, John Murphy, Elizabeth Pollie, Senghor Reid, Sarah Schilling, Bill Schwab, Scott Smith, Dennis Swarzlander, Amelia Sweebe, Takeshi Takahara, CCS Transportation Design Dept., Susan Tusa, Trout Unlimited, Van Dam Boats, CTAC School of Ballet, Tip of the Mitt Watershed, and Patrick Wise
#IMMERSEDatCTAC #CrookedTreeArts #PetoskeyArts #ConnectLearnGrowatCTAC #GreatLakes
Dive in! Our major summer exhibition IMMERSED opens today with May Swirl (5:30 - 7:00 PM, ticketed), open to the public tomorrow, and on view through August 31. Come explore this powerful, multi-sensory journey into the cultural, environmental, and creative dimensions of water.
Featuring work by more than 30 artists, scientists, and community partners, IMMERSED goes beyond the gallery with our IMMERSED free public programming, including artist talks, workshops, films, and our signature Coffee @ Ten lecture series — all free and open to the public.
Opening Reception:
📅 Saturday, May 24 | 🕔 5:00 – 7:00 pm
📍Free & open to all — come celebrate with us!
We extend our heartfelt thanks to our Visual Arts Presenter, comfortkeepersnomi comfortkeeperspetoskey, and to the Winifred Johnson Clive Foundation, boyneboatyardofficial, vandamcustomboats, and bayviewmichigan, along with many generous in-kind sponsors, for making this extraordinary exhibition possible.
Let’s celebrate the life, legacy, and future of our Great Lakes. Learn more at the 🔗in our bio.
Featuring: Sara Adlerstein-Gonzales, Calla Beers, Dewey Blocksma, Gretchen Dorian, Elizabeth Fergus-Jean, The Gijigowi Anishinaabemowin Language Department (GALD), Ladislav Hanka, Deanna Hergt-Willmott, Harold Herman, Sarah Innes, Little Bay Boards, Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians—The Repatriation, Archives and Records Department, Susan Lyman, Natalie Miebach Bryanna Manning, Heidi Marshall, Mary Bea McWatters, John Murphy, Elizabeth Pollie, Senghor Reid, Sarah Schilling, Bill Schwab, Scott Smith, Dennis Swarzlander, Amelia Sweebe, Takeshi Takahara, CCS Transportation Design Dept., Susan Tusa, Trout Unlimited, Van Dam Boats, CTAC School of Ballet, Tip of the Mitt Watershed, and Patrick Wise
#IMMERSEDatCTAC #CrookedTreeArts #PetoskeyArts #ConnectLearnGrowatCTAC #GreatLakes
One of my favorite projects we have worked on to date. #paddle #kayak
Beautiful blue slate shipwreck is out now. Doesn’t it just look so amazing out on the water.? #sup #epoxywoodworking #fineart
Beautiful blue slate shipwreck is out now. Doesn’t it just look so amazing out on the water.? #sup #epoxywoodworking #fineart
“Doing nothing with friends is never doing nothing, is it?“ -Charlie Mackesy #45thlife
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