The Hype
Little Bay Boards makes a splash in Michigan and beyond
“I was told it was impossible to have a surfboard company in northern Michigan,” Thelen said. “And that’s all the motivation I needed to do it.”
The Outdoor Recreation Industry: More Than the Last Dollar
Jason Thelen, founder of Little Bay Boards, can’t imagine making his eco-friendly, hollow-wood standup paddle boards anywhere else, first and foremost because Petoskey is his home.
Now Available at Boyne Country Sports – Wooden Paddleboards!
We are super stoked that Little Bay Boards wooden stand up paddleboards are now available at Boyne Country Sports locations in Traverse City, Grand Rapids, and Bloomfield Hills Michigan!
Hockey Night Fundraiser 2022 with The Detroit Red Wing Alumni Association
Vladimir Konstantinov from the Detroit Red Wing Alumni Association drops the ceremonial puck for Hockey Night 2022, helping raise funds to make the world a better place.
Three Takeaways: Little Bay Boards
Thanks to the Michigan Economic Development Corporation for putting this awesome video and article together for us! Three Takeaways: Little Bay Boards Courtney Overbey | Friday, December 3, 2021 Petoskey craftsman Jason Thelen of Little Bay Boards shares his “bottom...
Voices Without Borders 2022 Fundraiser
Little Bay Boards in Petoskey Michigan donates another stand up paddle board to help raise funds for Voices Without Borders.
Petoskey Northmen Hockey Paddle Board Raffle Winner Announced
The raffle for the paddleboard donated by Little Bay Boards, built by the Petoskey Northmen Hockey team was held last week and the winner was drawn. This beautiful board will be headed to Mt Pleasant MI!
Michigan Economic Development – Success Stories
Thanks to the Michigan Economic Development Corporation for putting this awesome video and article together for us! Little Bay Boards Petoskey-Based Entrepreneur Showcases Michigan’s Unequaled Economy and Quality of Living Jason Thelen knows the value of his home,...
Wave On Podcast – sharing inspiration on paddle boarding, surfing, and entrepreneurship
We are honored that Misty Marcum, fellow Michigander and Entrepreneur, invited Jason to join her for an interview on the podcast "Wave On." Beyond podcasting, Misty is owner of Luna Moon SUP Yoga in Sylvan Lake, MI and loves teaching balance board yoga, slow burn and...
Stateside Interview, Michigan NPR: Floating works of art: the hobby to profession journey of a Petoskey-based custom paddleboard maker
Little Bay Boards, a custom stand up paddleboard shop in Petoskey, is known for their beautiful, locally-grown wooden boards. Jason Thelen, the company’s founder and owner, shared what it took to grow the business from a solo project in his parents’ garage to the...
Board Stories
Bears and Bolts
Some Grateful Dead Standup Paddleboard art... Bear and Bolts Constructed in late summer 2020, these Grateful Dead inspired Stand Up Paddle Boards were designed and cut in pieces before we got our big laser. And a little Steal Your Face...
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 Bay Boards with inspiration from the crew at Dirty Rides Music: One Hand Clap by Distant StarsThe Story In 1970 Emerson DeLaney...
Beards Brewery
PETOSKEY, MICHIGAN
Always Forward Board
This design came to us from an old friend. Her mother was, and is, her idol in life and had always told her as a child and now as a grown woman, that, Life hands you difficult situations all the time. The key is to “Always move forward.” The arrows were copied from...
The Latvian Boards
These two boards are great examples of Little Bay Boards’ ability to customize a wooden paddle board’s size and shape to its owner’s preferred body of water and riding style.
The First Board
This First Board, the one that started it all, was built for Jason’s daughter (who was 9 years old at the time) who requested an eco-friendly paddleboard.
Snow and Skate
Petoskey’s own Little Bay Boards recently upgraded its workspace following a move into the old Kilwins candy factory, allowing the paddle board manufacturer to produce even more boards.
The Chest Plate Board
Weight: 6 lbs
A 48” classic shape Wake board. Truly an allrounder shape for performance.
Its name comes from its looks, reminding Jason of the Native American Warrior chest plates made from bones.
This board was designed and built using 100% salvaged woods from under our tables, where we store scrap wood at the shop.
The River Runs Through It Board
This “river” paddleboard has gotten world notoriety since its invention at the end of 2018. Based off the ideas of river tables that have become a popular furniture piece these last couple of years, Jason wanted to be the first real wood company to make a river board. After 6 months of designing the custom framing necessary to accommodate a river running through it, Jason made it happen.