We’ve been having a lot of fun with our original GoPro Hero. We own a head mount (which looks a little silly but is fun), a surfboard mount, and a paddle/handlebar mount. Those mounts are great, but we wanted more creative angles—especially lower perspectives at our toddler’s eye level, which look more interesting than the usual adult-height shots looking downward.
There are many do-it-yourself GoPro pole tutorials online, but we wanted to keep this one very simple, using as few materials as possible and relying on items we already had. You can buy extension poles from GoPro or other retailers, but making your own saved us money and was quick and easy.
Our DIY GoPro pole uses these parts:
- Two-foot, 1-inch wooden dowel
- Oury bicycle grip (green)
- GoPro handlebar mount
- Gorilla Glue duct tape—camo (optional)
How to make a GoPro pole
1. Choose the dowel length you need. We already had a two-foot dowel cut to the right size. Wooden dowels are heavier than aluminum poles, but since we used what we had and didn’t need a long reach, weight wasn’t an issue.
2. Slide the bicycle grip onto one end of the dowel. A bit of dish soap and water can help it go on; work quickly because the wood can swell with moisture and become harder to slide the grip on.
3. Wrap decorative tape around the dowel if you like. We used camo duct tape and added a small strip at the end to personalize it and improve grip.
4. Attach the GoPro handlebar mount to the other end of the dowel. Ensure it’s securely tightened so the camera won’t shift while filming.
5. Mount your GoPro and you’re ready to shoot. That’s it—simple, inexpensive, and effective.
Using a pole opens up lots of creative possibilities—long sweeping shots, lower-angle perspectives, or tighter framing when shooting with kids or while on the move. Here are some sample photos taken with a pole mount to show the range of looks you can achieve.
