Even though the first newsletter of the year may be a few days late, it doesn't mean we're not excited about what's coming up. The calendar is up-to-date, registration for all Azimuth courses is as easy as a phone call or an email, and classes are already starting to fill. We'd love to hear from you, so take a look at the schedule and give us a call soon.

According to a Washington State Environmental report on point and non-point pollution factors in Puget Sound, "Individual sources may not have a measurable influence, (but) their combined impact could lead to significant water quality degradation, such as reduced dissolved oxygen concentrations, reduced water clarity, altered species composition, and formation of algal scums."

Yuck.

How does this figure into our New Year's resolution scheme? Well, the report is talking about how little things can contribute to negative impacts on our waterways. We figure that if little things can make the situation worse then little things can make it better. The first of our monthly Kayak'n;Klean days starts this month (1/27 at Carr Inlet.) Join us as we try to do something right for the places we love. To register, call 253.474.8155.

Have fun with this one! First correct answer received gets a… I don't know. We'll think of something, and it'll be something good. Send your answer to and remember to put the phrase "January Surprise" in the subject line. Good luck!

What the Azimuth instructor lacks in memory, he makes up with logic skills. (Seriously, he can't remember anything.) Can you match the six first names on his class roster (Dirk, Ellen, Erik, Greg, Nelson, and Tony) with the six last names (Austin, Dunn, Ives, Lister, Newton, Sumner)?
These few memories are all that remain of his enigmatic and perhaps dramatic past:

1. When listed in alphabetical order by last name,
   a)Greg comes before Dirk
   b)Nelson comes before Ellen
   c)Tony comes before Erik
2. When listed in alphabetical order by first name,
   a)Austin comes before Newton
   b)Ives comes before Dunn
   c)Sumner comes before Lister

Where are you taking your kayak next summer? Fiji? Greenland? Or maybe it's a winter trip you've got planned, somewhere as crazy as the Oregon coast or as peaceful as the lower Columbia.

You might be eligible to receive a grant from Azimuth Expeditions to turn your dream expedition into a reality. (All Azimuth profits are returned to the community in a variety of ways; one of these is the Azimuth Discovery Grant program.)

Click here for more information. Apply soon… we'll make it worth your while.

There are quite a few California paddlers out there on the Azimuth mailing list and we'd like to hear from you when you get the chance. Send us field reports and photos and we'll put them on the web. Not only will this benefit those of you in the Golden State by sharing info on local paddling spots, it could make a few of us here in the Northwest come down that way for an amazing winter trip. For instance, what is the "Lost Coast" anyway? Do you have a story to tell?

Just a couple items on the dock for January and there are still spaces open. Call 253.474.8155 to reserve your spot today.
 
          Jan 25   8pm-9:30pm   Roll Clinic
          Jan 27   9am-3pm        Kayak'n'Klean (Carr Inlet)