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.
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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.
St.Francis Xavier Auction & Gala 2024
Last Saturday St. Francis Xavier School in Petoskey Michigan hosted their annual fundraising Gala. The wood paddle board built by their middle school students helped raise over $20,000 to fund the new gym floor! How cool is that?!
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.
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….
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.
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...
Beards Brewery
In an unheard of collaboration between brewers and board artists…“It takes a tribe to invent something never done before by us. A...
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...
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!
Have you met Little Bay Boards?
Where craftsmanship meets the water. Every board is uniquely handcrafted, blending artistry with performance to create something truly unforgettable. 🌲🌊
Explore more at the link in bio. ✨
#LittleBayBoards #HandcraftedBoards #WoodenSurfboards #PaddleBoardLife #ArtOnWater #SustainableCraft #LuxuryLifestyle #WaterAdventures
PC: @knightwingmedia
Have you met Little Bay Boards?
Where craftsmanship meets the water. Every board is uniquely handcrafted, blending artistry with performance to create something truly unforgettable. 🌲🌊
Explore more at the link in bio. ✨
#LittleBayBoards #HandcraftedBoards #WoodenSurfboards #PaddleBoardLife #ArtOnWater #SustainableCraft #LuxuryLifestyle #WaterAdventures
PC: @knightwingmedia
dual purpose on the lake and in the living room
littlebayboards
💌 to summer
Nice little cruise down the river with a beautiful paddle.
Boy o boy this was a fun project. Had to hype myself up a few times to make this one happen. But in the end it was all worth it. What a gorgeous board to be very proud of. Thanks to resin.research and blackdiamondpigments_com for the best product to make this happen.
Boy o boy this was a fun project. Had to hype myself up a few times to make this one happen. But in the end it was all worth it. What a gorgeous board to be very proud of. Thanks to resin.research and blackdiamondpigments_com for the best product to make this happen.
Got some time out on the boards this weekend. Just some chill river cruising on a sunny morning.
Got some time out on the boards this weekend. Just some chill river cruising on a sunny morning.
So much fun with kateheadley and littlebayboards
Ready to take a dip in Lake Michigan? Don’t forget a surfboard! 🏊♂️This surfboard titled “Walnut River” by Jason Thelen is one of three stunning boards on display in SWELL: Big Water, Waves, and Their Riders. This exhibition ends THIS Saturday, August 2. Stop by the Center for see Jason’s beautiful craftsmanship displayed next to work by Beth Price, Sue Majewski, and Ruth Tyszka.
Image description: A surfboard with a wooden checkered design. The board itself is a dark wood and the boxed lines are made of epoxy giving it a shimmer silver tone. The surfboard is held up on a wooden display case.
Ready to take a dip in Lake Michigan? Don’t forget a surfboard! 🏊♂️This surfboard titled “Walnut River” by Jason Thelen is one of three stunning boards on display in SWELL: Big Water, Waves, and Their Riders. This exhibition ends THIS Saturday, August 2. Stop by the Center for see Jason’s beautiful craftsmanship displayed next to work by Beth Price, Sue Majewski, and Ruth Tyszka.
Image description: A surfboard with a wooden checkered design. The board itself is a dark wood and the boxed lines are made of epoxy giving it a shimmer silver tone. The surfboard is held up on a wooden display case.
Imagine paddling on art 🙂 You don’t store this board…you display it and explore our crystal clear waters on this baby 🤙 Now available in store at our downtown shop! #45thlife #wallcandy #littlebayboards
Imagine paddling on art 🙂 You don’t store this board…you display it and explore our crystal clear waters on this baby 🤙 Now available in store at our downtown shop! #45thlife #wallcandy #littlebayboards
Join us in Bay harbor.!!
Today till 5ish
Tomorrow 10-3
Come join us today at Art in the park.
This is a detail of one of Jason Thelen’s surfboards titled “Aztec Luminary, Turquoise Diamond“. Stop by the South Haven Center for the Arts to see how this piece shines in the sunlight. It is on display in our current exhibition SWELL: Big Water, Waves, and Their Riders from June 21 through August 2. 🏄🏄♀️
Image one description: Close up detailed image of Jason Thelen’s surfboard showcasing the turquoise strip down the center of the board lined with dark brown vertical lines.
Image two description: A view from further back showing the whole board. The turquoise strip is centered vertically on the tan board.
This is a detail of one of Jason Thelen’s surfboards titled “Aztec Luminary, Turquoise Diamond“. Stop by the South Haven Center for the Arts to see how this piece shines in the sunlight. It is on display in our current exhibition SWELL: Big Water, Waves, and Their Riders from June 21 through August 2. 🏄🏄♀️
Image one description: Close up detailed image of Jason Thelen’s surfboard showcasing the turquoise strip down the center of the board lined with dark brown vertical lines.
Image two description: A view from further back showing the whole board. The turquoise strip is centered vertically on the tan board.
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