The Owner Operator's Report: Driven By Performance
Eric here, owner and operator of Jarvis Boards—checking in from the workshop floor here in Chicago, where spring has arrived and the lake is starting to call.
This is the Owner Operator Report Newsletter—my once-a-month check-in where I share what we're building, what's breaking, and what's been on my mind lately.
No marketing fluff, no AI bots—just a handcrafted email, typos and all.
Shop Talk
A quick rundown of what’s happening behind the scenes.
- Big news: Upon much anticipation and request, we are launching Touring & Race SUP's from our production shop soon. These are tried and tested shapes in our signature wood veneer aesthetic, built for the discerning paddler. Stay tuned this month for pre-orders as we will be making limited numbers this summer.
- On the bench this week: We're finishing & delivering a custom branded Statesider for Lake Shore Resort in Saugatuck, Michigan this week. This is truly one of the most stunning hotel's in the Midwest with incredible views of Lake Michigan.
This Month’s Reflection
This past month, our focus has been clear: push the boundaries of performance.
While our current board model—the Statesider—was designed with lake house luxury and all-around stability in mind, we’ve been deep in the shop refining something different.A board that’s built for speed. For distance. For serious paddlers who want to chase personal bests.
We’ve officially entered the next phase of development for our Race & Touring SUP. This isn’t just a cosmetic update. We’re experimenting with new materials—carbon fiber, lighter weight EPS cores, and high-performance lamination schedules—to create a board that’s faster, stiffer, and lighter than anything we’ve ever built. One that holds up to competition while still carrying our signature wood craftsmanship.
And truthfully, I can’t help it—I’m wired to build high-performance gear. As an Ironman triathlete in a previous life, I’ve learned firsthand how much the right equipment matters. On race day, it’s everything. But it also has to hold up through the grind of long training blocks. That mindset carries over into how we build boards: they need to feel fast and responsive, but also be durable enough to go the distance.
As a member of the Chicago SUP Race Team, I’ll be racing this prototype all season long. We’ve got a dedicated crew of paddlers putting it to the test across different conditions, and their feedback is already shaping the final design.
As a member of the Chicago SUP Race Team, I’ll be racing this prototype all season long. We’ve got a dedicated crew of paddlers putting it to the test across different conditions, and their feedback is already shaping the final design.
One thing I’ve realized throughout this process: performance doesn’t mean abandoning our roots. Our premium wood veneer sandwich construction isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s a structural system. When done right, it provides incredible strength-to-weight benefits. And in this industry, that balance is the game. Go too heavy, and you lose efficiency and easy of transport. Go too light, and your board won’t last the season. But dial in that sweet spot, and you get something truly special: a board that looks good, moves fast, and stays out of the repair shop.
We’re building it for the racers, the distance paddlers, and the explorers who demand more from their gear. Performance, just like craftsmanship, is in the details.
We’re building it for the racers, the distance paddlers, and the explorers who demand more from their gear. Performance, just like craftsmanship, is in the details.
Stuff Worth Sharing
A few things I think you’ll dig.
- On the Water: Jarvis Boards spotted on the Galien Marsh in New Buffalo, MI (photo)
- Off the Clock: Caamp is performing at The Salt Shed in Chicago this week and I'm stoked to be going. Their on the factory playlist shuffle quite a bit.
- Maker’s Pick: Owens Corning FOAMULAR 250 rigid foam insulation sheets - our workshop is a constant place of change and process improvement and this week we built a 16' long "hot box" for post-curing epoxy resin to improve production cycle times.
(No, we don't receive affiliate commissions or have brand deals with any of the above)
Until Next Time
Thanks for following along.
You can always reply to this email—it comes straight to me. Whether you’ve got questions, ideas, or just want to say hey, I read every message.
Here’s to the next build, the next paddle, and doing work that matters.
— Eric
Owner & Operator
Jarvis Boards
P.S. We're posting a lot more content on Instagram nowadays. Follow us for more behind-the-scenes videos of custom builds and business growth updates.
