Maria + Bodie, Riley, & Willow

Maria Christina Schultz is an outdoor enthusiast, American Canoe Association-certified stand up paddleboard instructor, and author of two books. Her dogs are her constant companions while paddling, camping, mountain biking, and running. They’ve joined Maria on rivers, lakes, trails, and road trips up and down the east coast and have paddled all five of the Great Lakes. Maria has discovered that sharing the paddleboard with her dogs strengthens their human-canine bond and inspires her to push the boundaries of what’s possible. She shares her passion for paddling with her dogs through her books, How to SUP with your PUP: A guide to stand up paddleboarding with your dog and Paddle Tails: Reflections on people and dogs who find balance on the water. Maria also teaches clinics and regularly contributes stories to the Ruffwear dog blog.