The Details – About Our Paddle Boards

A better ride for a better planet, Eco-Friendly Wood Stand-Up Paddle Boards

Each and every Little Bay Board is produced using the same hollow-core, eco-friendly concept utilizing only the finest hand picked materials.  From start to finish, our attention to detail results in unmatched beauty and quality providing the rider with a board that will last a lifetime.

Worldwide shipping is available on any Little Bay Board

WOOD REIGNS SUPREME

Creating stand up paddle boards from wood offers several advantages. Aesthetically, it produces a beautiful product, truly a work of art. Patterns and grains are revealed and pieced together to create something no one else can claim as their own.

Little Bay Boards strives to use reclaimed wood and locally-sourced materials when building your paddleboard. There are no chemical processes or polyurethane foam used in production. Strips of wood are meticulously chosen for their beauty and pieced together by hand, in a hollow board design glassed together with low VOC resin. Simple by design, but virtually indestructible.

On the water the waves and wood blend together allowing the rider to become as one for an experience that is unmatched by any commercially produced paddle or surfboard.

Hollow Wood Frame

Because of our hand-engineered hollow-wood frames, our paddleboards are lightweight and float without the need for any toxic foam material.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why the boards are hollow…

Using grade A, choice woods, and high-density fabrics for the glassing systems causes weight. A careful calculation of volume, as well as shape and size, is pretty easy to form with a series of spine and rib details, once you know the formula. This supplies a lot of nothing on the inside of the vessel thus supplying a very light wood board. The first blueprint we used was gifted to us by Paul Jensen. After a year of heavy riding on all types of waters, Jason Thelen added a few things to it, adjusting rockers and such to really supply a quality ride.

How long will a paddleboard from Little Bay Boards last?

A lifetime. Since the invention of the epoxy in 1972 that we use, it hasn’t broken down yet. With the top-shelf epoxy used as well as a top acrylic UV coat, there is very minimal of anything that needs to be done. Open and close the Vent is pretty much it. If you’re in the ocean…an occasional wash with fresh water doesn’t hurt. Pretty normal for saltwater. I suggest not leaving the board in the sun for storage. UV rays are going to darken your board a bit. This is just a natural effect of fresh wood in the sun.

Leaving it in the sun all the time will darken the board more on the side that’s up than the side that’s down. Or say it’s in the same spot where there is a shadow in the same place all the time. It’ll develop a line where the sun doesn’t hit. Like when I have a board in a store window. If the light isn’t even there will be a line. It’s easy enough to even out by placing a blanket over the dark area for a day or two while leaving the other in the sun. But it is avoidable. Honestly. Let’s face it. You’re buying a really expensive board. Treat it accordingly and it’ll last longer than you will.

What types of activities are suitable for a Wooden Paddle Board from Little Bay Boards?

Treat it like a board and it’ll last forever. Jason’s daughter’s board has been a board, a slide, a stage, a bridge, a sandcastle base, a landing strip for kites, and so on.

Is there a weight limit on these Wooden Paddle Boards?

Our All-Arounder boards float a rider between 120 and 250 lbs.  If you purchase a Custom, Made to Order board, we will build your board according to the size and weight of the customer, there isn’t a limit. We will do the calculations for enough volume. However, a user’s weight above 300 pounds does add cost.

How much does a Custom, Made to Order, paddle board cost?

Our full custom boards begin with an initial consultation with Jason Thelen, Artist, and Board Builder, either in person or by phone to determine the specific look, ride style, and application you desire.  Throughout the build process, you will be kept informed as to the progress of your new board.  All custom boards include a matching paddle.  Full custom boards start at $4,200 USD with additional enhancements available. Enhancements include custom inlays, full-body design, and custom names or imagery. The customization is truly unlimited. You can share with Jason your enhancement ideas during your initial consultation.

How long does it take to make a Little Bay Board?

As long as it needs. Generally, about four weeks once the design is finalized. The right woods and colors need to be found before production begins. Most of the year there is a waiting list around two-three months long.  We recommend contacting us as soon as possible to discuss the production schedule on a full custom board. We do carry an inventory of In Stock – Ready to Ride paddleboards for immediate shipping.