About

Hi, I’m Paul.

By day I’m a software engineer — but a few years ago I discovered something unexpected: making tiny wooden surfboards is deeply therapeutic.

There’s something about working with your hands, coaxing a piece of cedar or pine into a shape that carries the whole vibe of the surf lifestyle, that just clicks. Each board starts as a rough cut of wood and ends up as something someone hangs on their wall, uses to mark their house number, or gives as a gift.

The Boards

Every Surfing Gnome board is hand-cut from cedar or pine, then shaped and painted by hand. No two are ever exactly alike — the wood grain alone sees to that.

• Vinyl applications let us add custom silhouettes, text, house numbers, and artwork
• Multiple coats of polyurethane are applied to the front and back for protection and a clean finish
• Outdoor boards include UV protection to stand up to the Carolina sun
• Beyond wall art, boards can be fitted as address signs, key hooks, bottle openers, and more — new ideas come up all the time

Find Us in Wilmington

I currently offer boards in my storefront at The Village in Wilmington, on Carolina Beach Road. Stop by and see them in person — or order online and I’ll ship them straight to you.

We’re lucky to live and work here in Wilmington, NC, where the surf lifestyle isn’t just an aesthetic — it’s the way people actually live. That spirit goes into every board.