LITTLE BAY BOARDS
Custom Wood Stand Up Paddle Boards
Eco-Friendly Elegance | Handcrafted with Care
355 N. Division Rd | Petoskey, Michigan
Days left to take advantage of our special pricing...
Day(s)
:
Hour(s)
:
Minute(s)
:
Second(s)
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
[dnxte_masonary gallery_ids="2147,1745,1740,1738,1737,1744,1731,1739,1742,1747,2167,1743,2159" _builder_version="4.14.8"...
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.
The Manna Food Project – Paddle Board Raffle
This spring we were asked if we’d like to make a paddle board donation to annual Golf Fore Manna fundraiser….
Choose the North
To address the talent challenges faced by many local businesses, the 2023 NLEA/DTE Energy Foundation Interns are launching a talent...
Unlock Your Creative Potential with Little Bay Boards and Trotec Laser
Unlock the endless possibilities of a laser cutter. From creating intricate designs on wood, acrylic, and metal to crafting personalized gifts and home decor, the Trotec Laser empowers you to unleash your creativity. Transform ordinary objects into extraordinary masterpieces with ease and precision. Discover the joy of bringing your imagination to life and join the laser cutting revolution. Little Bay Boards – where innovation meets craftsmanship.
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.
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...
Custom Paddleboard for VW Project: Dirty Waves
Classic footage from our old shop! Check out this video of the Dirty Rides build...Built by Matthew Powell & Jason Thelen at Little...
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!
We had a great time at the business expo last night, thank you for all of those that stopped by to visit with us. A big thank you to Little Bay Boards for donating this awesome hand-crafted charcuterie board for our prize drawing! If you didn`t already know, Jason is taking pre-orders for these beautiful boards and you can even add a custom engraving. Congratulations to the winner, Katie with First Community Bank Michigan!
We had a great time at the business expo last night, thank you for all of those that stopped by to visit with us. A big thank you to Little Bay Boards for donating this awesome hand-crafted charcuterie board for our prize drawing! If you didn`t already know, Jason is taking pre-orders for these beautiful boards and you can even add a custom engraving. Congratulations to the winner, Katie with First Community Bank Michigan!
This airy and welcoming space beautifully showcases a handcrafted wooden Stand Up Paddle board created by the skilled artisans at littlebayboards, which hangs as a striking art piece on the wall. The board`s rich wooden texture provides a warm contrast against the room`s cool, polished concrete floors, creating a harmonious balance between rustic charm and contemporary design. Each element of the room`s decor, from the paddle board artistry to the sleek wooden finishes, contributes to a sense of refined comfort that is sure to delight our guests.
This airy and welcoming space beautifully showcases a handcrafted wooden Stand Up Paddle board created by the skilled artisans at littlebayboards, which hangs as a striking art piece on the wall. The board`s rich wooden texture provides a warm contrast against the room`s cool, polished concrete floors, creating a harmonious balance between rustic charm and contemporary design. Each element of the room`s decor, from the paddle board artistry to the sleek wooden finishes, contributes to a sense of refined comfort that is sure to delight our guests.
ACBS boat show at Bay Harbor
What a great event to see! The old boats are so cool. And the craftsmanship is amazing for everything I saw. The scale models are fantastic.
Seeing VanDam boats up close gives a greater appreciation to their work. And the boards from Little Bay Boards…
A special thanks to all those who did the boat rides too. I got to ride with Mark / Johnny Walker Red.
#antiqueboat #bayharbor
ACBS boat show at Bay Harbor
What a great event to see! The old boats are so cool. And the craftsmanship is amazing for everything I saw. The scale models are fantastic.
Seeing VanDam boats up close gives a greater appreciation to their work. And the boards from Little Bay Boards…
A special thanks to all those who did the boat rides too. I got to ride with Mark / Johnny Walker Red.
#antiqueboat #bayharbor
“Moment of peace” now available on the website. My hope is that this painting will bring continued peace and light into your space. 16”x20” framed and ready to hang.
marybea-art.com
Link in bio.
.
.
.
#artwork #painting #sunsetpainting #petoskeysunset #northernmichigan #puremichigan #color #light #paintinglight #goldenacrylics #shoreline #beach #sunset #lakelife #lakemichigan #water #sky #skypainting
“Moment of peace” now available on the website. My hope is that this painting will bring continued peace and light into your space. 16”x20” framed and ready to hang.
marybea-art.com
Link in bio.
.
.
.
#artwork #painting #sunsetpainting #petoskeysunset #northernmichigan #puremichigan #color #light #paintinglight #goldenacrylics #shoreline #beach #sunset #lakelife #lakemichigan #water #sky #skypainting
come say hi, come hang! and enjoy our cozy atmosphere curated by greatlakesmodern 🤍
we’re open 9-3 mon~thurs, and 9-4 fri~sun 🍉☕️
#trilliumwoods #coffee #espresso #tunneloftrees #m119 #
come say hi, come hang! and enjoy our cozy atmosphere curated by greatlakesmodern 🤍
we’re open 9-3 mon~thurs, and 9-4 fri~sun 🍉☕️
#trilliumwoods #coffee #espresso #tunneloftrees #m119 #
"None of us, including me, ever do great things. But we can all do small things, with great love, and together we can do something wonderful." – Mother Teresa
"None of us, including me, ever do great things. But we can all do small things, with great love, and together we can do something wonderful." – Mother Teresa
New sticker color feedback from this group of our FAV gals 💗💗🌸✨ #lakecharlevoixcoffeecompany #boynecity
New sticker color feedback from this group of our FAV gals 💗💗🌸✨ #lakecharlevoixcoffeecompany #boynecity
🚨LITTLE BAY BOARDS INTERVIEW IS OUT NOW!🚨
Click the link in our bio to see why Northern Michigan is so special to Jason and his business in our latest interview!
#littlebayboards #woodenpaddleboard #petoskeymi #petoskeymichigan #petoskey #choosethenorth
🚨LITTLE BAY BOARDS INTERVIEW IS OUT NOW!🚨
Click the link in our bio to see why Northern Michigan is so special to Jason and his business in our latest interview!
#littlebayboards #woodenpaddleboard #petoskeymi #petoskeymichigan #petoskey #choosethenorth
Meet Jason Thelen : Founder of Little Bay Boards. When Jason’s daughter asked for a paddle board made of natural materials, he did just that. Little did he know, the traction from it would spark a business. From a side job to the successful small business it is today, let Jason tell you why he chose The North and why you should too! This Friday @ 5! 🤩🌊 #littlebayboards #paddleboard #paddleboarding #petoskey #petoskeymi #petoskeymichigan #choosethenorth
Meet Jason Thelen : Founder of Little Bay Boards. When Jason’s daughter asked for a paddle board made of natural materials, he did just that. Little did he know, the traction from it would spark a business. From a side job to the successful small business it is today, let Jason tell you why he chose The North and why you should too! This Friday @ 5! 🤩🌊 #littlebayboards #paddleboard #paddleboarding #petoskey #petoskeymi #petoskeymichigan #choosethenorth
Exploring the Bete Grise Preserve on a littlebayboards SUP.
#betegrisepreserve #keweenaw #keweenawpeninsula #upperpeninsula #upperpeninsula #yoop #yooper #michigannature #michigannaturephotography #michigansummer #michiganphotographer #puremichigan #michigander #paddlemichigan #standuppaddle #standuppaddleboarding #suplifestyle #littlebayboards
Exploring the Bete Grise Preserve on a littlebayboards SUP.
#betegrisepreserve #keweenaw #keweenawpeninsula #upperpeninsula #upperpeninsula #yoop #yooper #michigannature #michigannaturephotography #michigansummer #michiganphotographer #puremichigan #michigander #paddlemichigan #standuppaddle #standuppaddleboarding #suplifestyle #littlebayboards
Artistry, just outside our door. Check out littlebayboards display at the Bay Harbor Arts Festival this weekend, it’s unbelievable!
#lakemiyachtsales #bayharborartsfestival #bayharbormi #bayharbor #boating #boatinglife #boatinglifestyle #lakelife #lakelifestyle #lakemichigan #nomi #goodtimes #art #festival #marina #bayarea #piermichigan
Artistry, just outside our door. Check out littlebayboards display at the Bay Harbor Arts Festival this weekend, it’s unbelievable!
#lakemiyachtsales #bayharborartsfestival #bayharbormi #bayharbor #boating #boatinglife #boatinglifestyle #lakelife #lakelifestyle #lakemichigan #nomi #goodtimes #art #festival #marina #bayarea #piermichigan
He just like, really fits this vibe 🤙🏻🏄🌺
Inflatable vs Hard Paddle Boards, Ready to Upgrade?
The Pros and Cons of Inflatable vs Hard Paddle Boards: Which is Right for You? Inflatable and hard paddle boards are two of the most...
How to Care for your Paddleboard
How to Care for your Little Bay Board - Wooden PaddleboardOVERVIEWWhile our boards are pretty darn durable, let's face the facts, you...
Tips for Carrying your Paddleboard
How to Carry a Little Bay Board Paddle Board Hawaiian Style Over the Head Here are a couple of cool options for assisting in the paddle...