They are starting to come in, these stories of kayaking adventure… New reports posted in the last couple weeks have featured puppies and porpoises, in places as diverse as Diablo Lake and Maury Island, the Ballard Locks and the Tacoma Narrows. Check out the Field Reports page on the web site at www.azimuthexpeditions.com and read about the places we've seen lately. Then get online and send us photos and a story of the places you've paddled. We'd love to hear from you!

The 3rd Annual Puget Sound Sea Kayak Symposium is approaching… May 19 & 20 at Owen Beach in Point Defiance Park in Tacoma. Speakers include Marathon and Wild Water champion Brent Reitz, University of Sea Kayaking's Wayne Horodowich and more mind-blowing kayak rolling demonstrations from Dubside. Tickets for the Waterwalker's Ball are going fast; get yours while they're still available by calling the office or by writing us at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it . If you're interested in helping out during the event, there are volunteer opportunities with Metro Parks. To volunteer or to read more about the event, go to the Park web site, www.metroparkstacoma.org

On a related note, the Port Angeles Symposium happens this month (April 13-15) and the WWTA Spring Seminar is scheduled for April 28. More info on each of these can be found on the Azimuth web site.

Each of the sites on the Cascadia Marine Trail has a steward, a person or organization that is responsible for keeping the site clean, safe and accessible to paddlers. Azimuth Expeditions has just taken over the stewardship for the CMT site at Joemma State Park, on the southern Key Peninsula. We'll have a work party scheduled in the next month or two and we'd love to get as much participation as possible. I'm seeing a barbeque and volleyball, combined with the maintenance work we'll need to get done…

Keep watching this space for details and how you can be involved in helping to keep the CMT going strong. If you're interested in volunteering directly with the Washington Water Trails Association, visit their web site at www.wwta.org

Last month's puzzle was won by Mary Powell, and man was she quick! The correct answer was 3 knots, and while there were a lot of correct responses, Mary's got through the pipeline first. Congratulations, Mary!

There will be another puzzle next month, as soon as we can think one up.

The Kayak'n'Klean for March was scheduled to go to the Nisqually Delta but because of forecast winds and generally ugly weather, we didn't make the trip. However, since Azimuth Expeditions visits the Delta on a fairly regular basis and it is very much in our own back yard, we've decided that it is important to get there at least once this year to do some housekeeping. The schedule has been changed and we will now be going to the Nisqually Delta on September 29th for a day of kayaking and beach clean-up.

April's K'n'K is going to Chuckanut Bay… it'll be a good one!         

Octopus paxarbolis
         
Elusive and endangered, the Pacific Northwest Tree Octopus can be found in the temperate rainforests of the Olympic Peninsula. Smaller on average than their aquatic cousins, these solitary cephalopods have the largest brain-to-body ratio of any mollusk, and feed on bird's eggs, frogs and rodents. The tree octopus have excellent eyesight and are able to change the color of their skin to adapt to their surroundings. A fascinating and beautiful animal… learn more about these wonderful creatures and check out some great photos at http://zapatopi.net/treeoctopus

There are still spots available in the courses and paddles listed below. Things are starting to fill up as the weather gets warmer so book your spot soon! The events listed below are only a sample; check out our website www.azimuthexpeditions.com for more options.