Yes. Dogs are welcome but must be friendly, non-aggressive, and leashed on land. Operators ask that owners notify Samantha in advance if a dog is reactive.

What is the minimum age or ability requirement?

Participants must be 18 or accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Guests should have basic physical ability and comfort around water.

Where is the meeting point?

Check-in is at the launch area behind the Courtyard Marriott Hotel next to the water; please arrive 10 minutes early to get fitted.

Yes. Complimentary photos and videos are captured throughout the experience and shared so you can focus on the paddle and your pup.

What happens in bad weather?

Sessions may be modified, rescheduled, or canceled at SUP Pups' discretion for safety due to wind, swell, or poor water conditions.

How long will we be on the water?

The on-water portion is approximately one hour within a 1–2 hour total booking window that includes orientation and return.

Paddle with Pups: Max's Big Splash Private Paddle Party at Liberty Station

On a bright, quiet morning at Liberty Station in San Diego, Max’s Big Splash 1st Birthday Bash turns a simple paddle into a communal celebration. Hosted by SUP Pups and led by owner and lead instructor Samantha, this private paddling party brings friends, family, and well-behaved dogs onto the calm, protected waters of the Liberty Station channel. The meeting point is the launch area behind the Courtyard Marriott Hotel next to the water, where guests swap shoes for life jackets and enjoy an on-land orientation before stepping onto board.

The route stays inside a no‑wake zone of San Diego Bay, a sheltered stretch of harbor that minimizes boat traffic and creates steady, forgiving conditions ideal for first-time stand-up paddlers and nervous pups. Expect an easy one-hour paddle through a mild urban coastal scene: low-rise shoreline, harbor piers, and open water with frequent seabirds. SUP Pups includes equipment, dog life jackets, assisted launches and returns, and a roll of complimentary photos captured during the outing, so you can focus on smiles and wagging tails instead of gear logistics.

What makes this experience unique is the combination of professional instruction, pet-friendly management, and a sense of place. Liberty Station sits on the grounds of the former Naval Training Center, now repurposed into parks, markets, and waterfront access; paddlers get both open-water perspective and a glimpse of the neighborhood’s adaptive reuse along the shoreline. Owner Samantha’s decade on the water shows in the patient coaching, clear safety briefing, and helpful hands-on support at the dock.

This private format is ideal for milestone gatherings—birthdays, small reunions, or dog-centric social hours—because the group size and pace are tuned to the party. The Puppachino Station on shore is a playful after-paddle perk where pups can cool off, and the proximity to Liberty Public Market makes post-paddle brunch an easy next move.

Practical notes: plan to arrive early to complete waivers, leash dogs on land, and expect the operator to modify or cancel sessions for unsuitable wind or poor water conditions. The experience balances low-impact exercise and accessible fun: a refreshing way to see San Diego Bay from a board while keeping everyone safe and included. For paddlers seeking a relaxed, photo-ready outing with their dogs, Max’s Big Splash delivers a tidy blend of instruction, scenery, and canine-friendly hospitality.

Bookings are private and start times are punctual; arrive early to park and meet Samantha, who will fit boards and provide instruction. Group makes it easy to learn balance drills, practice turning, and collect photos of pups paddling. Because the outing occurs within an urban harbor, noise and occasional ferry wakes are possible but rare in the no‑wake stretch; the team monitors conditions and will promptly advise alternatives.