From Shipyards to Paddleboards: A Legacy of Wood and Water
Woodworking runs deep in Denis Fraisse’s blood. Born in France, he spent his childhood at his father’s shipyard, fixing boats before he could even tie his own shoes. His father, a solitary craftsman, ran a small shop where Denis absorbed the language of wood and water—learning to shape, restore, and build with his hands. "Since I was able to walk, I was with him," Denis says. "After school, weekends, vacations—I was there, fixing boats, making my own little projects."
That early exposure made woodworking feel as natural as breathing. "For me, it’s like second nature," he says. Even as a child, he relished the process—cutting, shaping, solving problems with wood. He was free to experiment, to learn through doing. That instinct never left him.
From Racing Yachts to Restoration Work
When Denis moved to the U.S. in 2010, he left behind a high-level career in boat racing. In France, he had been building carbon fiber masts and working on top-tier racing sailboats—machines engineered like Formula One cars for the water. But in California, he quickly realized there wasn’t the same demand for his skills. "At first, I was lost," he admits. "I started fixing boats, but there wasn’t much racing here. Then a friend managing high-end houses asked if I could repair things. That turned into a business."
Now, his company, The Wooden Cagette, specializes in intricate home restorations in San Francisco’s historic mansions. He works on everything from custom woodwork to metal fabrication, sometimes even electrical repairs. "A lot of high-end homes have custom-built elements that are difficult to replace," he explains. "That’s where I come in." It’s problem-solving at the highest level—figuring out how to restore or rebuild what others say can’t be fixed.
The Paddleboard Obsession
Despite his success in restoration, Denis's passion remains in his personal projects, particularly the wooden paddleboards in his garage workshop. "At first, I thought paddleboarding was stupid," he admits with a laugh. "High center of gravity, slow, not practical. But then I tried it in Hawaii—and five minutes in, I was hooked." His first instinct wasn’t to buy one but to build one.
He researched wooden paddleboards but wasn’t impressed with what he found. "They were beautiful, but too heavy, and no one had innovated the design." Denis set out to build something better—lighter, stiffer, and more practical for everyday use. It was a challenge he couldn’t resist.
Challenging the Experts
When he began designing his first wooden paddleboard, seasoned board builders told him it couldn’t be done—wood was either too heavy or too fragile. "An aerospace engineer came to my shop and told me my design would sink," Denis recalls. "I had already put 250 hours into it, and I thought, ‘No, it’ll be fine.’"
The moment of truth came when he put it in the water. "It was perfect," he says, grinning. "Lighter and stiffer than a carbon fiber board." The same board builders who doubted him tried it and were stunned. "One guy said, ‘This is more rigid than a carbon board.’ That was a good moment."
A Thousand Hours in Wood
Denis’s first paddleboard took nearly 400 hours to complete. The current two in his garage have already consumed over 500 hours each. "Every time I bring my board to the beach, people stop me," he says. "They say, ‘Are you sure you want to put that in the water? It’s too beautiful.’"
The boards are more than functional—they are sculpted art. He uses Polonia and red cedar for their strength and lightness, laminates them with fiberglass for waterproofing, then coats them in epoxy resin for durability and a polished finish. "It’s not just about how they look," he says. "They have to perform."
Building for Passion, Not Profit
Though his paddleboards attract admirers, Denis isn’t in it for the business. "A friend offered to buy one, so I built two—one for her, one for me," he says. "I don’t do it for money. It’s about the joy of making." The second board remains unsold, waiting for a buyer who understands its craftsmanship. "Maybe one day someone will come along," he muses.
Beyond paddleboards, Denis’s craftsmanship extends into furniture and functional art. A coffee table in his shop—made of undulating wood layers—resembles waves lapping against the shore. "I see inspiration in nature," he says. "A broken tree, the grain of wood, the shape of a rock."
Whether building paddleboards or furniture, Denis’s process is as much about engineering as artistry. "There is a lot of calculation," he says. "A lot of smallsteps—it’s about balance and precision." He approaches every project with a problem-solving mindset, refining traditional techniques to push materials to their limits.
The Art of Engineering
He has ideas for future pieces—lamps that blend wood, steel, resin, and carbon fiber. "It’s about making something elegant, simple, and beautiful," he says. "But time is always the challenge."
Finding Flow in the Work
Many craftspeople describe their work as meditative, but for Denis, it depends. "When I work for clients, I’m focused on efficiency," he says. "But when I build for myself, I get into the zone. It’s like nothing else exists—just me and the wood."
Unlike some woodworkers who find inspiration in their scraps, Denis looks to the outdoors. "I go hiking, biking—I see a tree, a rock and say ’Wow,’" he says. "Nature teaches you everything about form and structure." His table, his boards—all reflect the elements of the natural world.
A Life Shaped by Wood and Water
From a childhood spent in a French shipyard to his quiet garage workshop in Sausalito, Denis’s journey has always been shaped by wood and water. "I was lucky to grow up with a father like that," he says. "He taught me to create, to love working with my hands."
For more info, please visit Fraisse Design.