Exploring the Waves with WETSU Life

Exploring the Waves with WETSU Life

Thank you to Jennifer Telek for including us in her latest adventure, “Water Toys for the Lake” where she reviews our paddle board on her popular blog, Wetsulife.com.

Inflatable vs Hard Paddle Boards, Ready to Upgrade?

Inflatable vs Hard Paddle Boards, Ready to Upgrade?

Inflatable and hard paddle boards are two of the most popular types of paddle boards on the market today. Both offer unique advantages and disadvantages, so it is important to consider which type of board is right for you before making a purchase.

Choose the North

Choose the North

To address the talent challenges faced by many local businesses, the 2023 NLEA/DTE Energy Foundation Interns are launching a talent attraction campaign and brand to show what makes living and working in Northern Lower Michigan special. The team’s goal is to target...

Unlock Your Creative Potential with Little Bay Boards and Trotec Laser

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.

Grand Opening – Recap

Grand Opening – Recap

On May 19th, 2023 Little Bay Boards finally hosted the much anticipated Grand Opening of their new Showroom at 355 N. Division Rd in Petoskey Michigan. The floor was swept and paddle boards were hung on the wall like fine art.  The ribbon was cut, a raffle ticket was...

Paddling the Blue Podcast

Paddling the Blue Podcast

Paddle Board builder Jason Thelen gets interviewed on Paddling The Blue Podcast Episode #84 – Canoecopia 2023 – Madison, WI

Three Takeaways: Little Bay Boards

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...

Bears and Bolts

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...

How to Care for your Paddleboard

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 purchased the "BMW" of paddleboards.  Would you take your BMW two-tracking and mudding?  Maybe?  We are not to judge.  But generally,...

Tips for Carrying your Paddleboard

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 board carrying process... Slings & Straps Suction Cup Handles Hip Hook Bags Wheels SLINGS & STRAPS Nozou Straps A little...

Michigan Economic Development – Success Stories

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,...

Michigan Home & Lifestyle

Michigan Home & Lifestyle

Thanks to Candie Conat for featuring us in Michigan Home & Lifestyle!WRITER | CANDIE CONATPHOTOS | LITTLE BAY BOARDS Jason Thelen, the owner of Little Bay Boards, had no idea that by building his daughter one wooden paddleboard, he would end up launching a...

Sterling Heights woodworking class making waves…

Sterling Heights woodworking class making waves…

A couple years ago we “threw a rock” now we get to watch all the ripples! Sterling Heights woodworking class making waves with celebrities, breaking stereotypes “What does billionaire Sir Richard Branson, actor Amy Smart, and Spanx founder Sara Blakely have in common?...

Custom Paddleboard for VW Project: Dirty Waves

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...

Northern Express – LITTLE BAY BOARDS: WHO WANTS IN?

Northern Express – LITTLE BAY BOARDS: WHO WANTS IN?

Thanks to Ross Boissoneau for this great write up on Little Bay Boards…What dad hasn’t wanted to do something special for his child? Jason Thelen loved being on his standup paddleboard, so when his nine-year-old daughter asked for one too, he was happy to oblige. One...

Always Forward Board

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

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

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

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

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.

Stateside Interview, Michigan NPR: Floating works of art: the hobby to profession journey of a Petoskey-based custom paddleboard maker

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.

Wife gives husband surprise gift

These two wives and mothers wanted to show their appreciation for their wonderful husbands.  They decided it would be fun to surprise the man in their life with a surprise paddleboard gift.  Jason loves doing these surprise gift givings!Turns out these gifts provided...

Junior Achievement launches entrepreneurship education program

Junior Achievement launches entrepreneurship education program

The goal of the program is to get young local entrepreneurs into classrooms to share their experiences and career paths with students. Jason Thelen of Little Bay Boards, Katie Potts of Petoskey Cheese, Cheryl Tallman of Fresh Baby, Emerson Meyer of The Waffle Cabin and Herb Carlson of SCORE were the first entrepreneurs to address the students and answer their questions.

Crain’s Detroit: Catch a wave

Crain’s Detroit: Catch a wave

Lake Affect is a shop in downtown Petoskey. It carries clothes and home decor, but its focus is on creations by local artists. It might seem like an unlikely retailer for stand-up paddleboards. Until you've seen the boards made by Jason Thelen, the Native American...

Artist Profile: Jason Thelen

Artist Profile: Jason Thelen

Written by Sean Miller/ Full article at originally published by News-ReviewWhat started as a project to make an affordable paddle board has turned into a budding business for Jason Thelen of Little Bay Boards. “It really all started because I couldn’t afford to buy a...

Artistic, Eco-Friendly Paddle Boards in Petoskey

Artistic, Eco-Friendly Paddle Boards in Petoskey

Thanks to 9&10 News for this great Video!"It was a crystal, flat day on Lake Michigan that sparked Jason Thelen’s hands and heart. Now captive by his experience, The Petoskey resident works to create functional, wooden pieces of art so others can feel the same...

The Swamp Board

The Swamp Board

Originally built to be Jason’s personal ride. Built in: 2016 Weight: 26 lbs Jason found this wood in 2014. He saved it for two years before finally finding enough time to build this perfect ride. However, life happens and when he was nearing completion he found out...

MTM On The Road: Little Bay Boards in Petoskey

MTM On The Road: Little Bay Boards in Petoskey

At Little Bay Boards they pose an honest question: Life comes in waves, why not ride them? The Petoskey-based business specializes in all-natural wooden stand-up paddle boards. Each vessel is hand crafted with the user in mind, including their size, what the board’s...

Northern Express – Art to be ‘used and abused’

Northern Express – Art to be ‘used and abused’

Growing up in Petoskey, Jason Thelen dreamed of being a surfer and riding the big saltwater waves. But fate kept him near fresh water, so he adapted accordingly and began building custom standup paddleboards that "take the big lake’s little waves," he said. "My paddle...