It's just around the corner! All of the planning and all of the preparation come together to make this the biggest and best sea kayak symposium we've been a part of. This year's speakers include six-time national champion Brent Reitz, local paddling doyenne Judy Moyer and scores of other presenters and instructors. Attend slide shows, take classes on and off the water, and peruse the hundreds of demo boats from more than 50 vendors that will be available to paddle. Azimuth will be there… stop by the booth and say hello.

A new event at this year's symposium combines kayaking with the community, something that is at the heart of what Azimuth Expeditions is all about. Presented in conjunction with the Puget Sound Sea Kayak Symposium, Paddle the Point is a kayak race for people of all experience levels, and is open to other paddle-powered crafts as well. Paddle the Point is being organized as a benefit for the Phoenix Housing Network, a local organization that assists the homeless. Prizes are awarded for top finishers but the main point is to have fun and to raise money for Phoenix Housing Network through pledges gathered by race participants. More information is available by going to the Metro Parks web site http://www.metroparkstacoma.org/page.php?id=824

If it's been a while since your last visit to the Azimuth web site, there are a few new pages you might want to check out when you get the chance. The "Philosophy" page is new and there is a new addition to the "Flag Expeditions" page as well. Updates to the "Field Reports" page continue coming in (see Ana's report on April's Kayak'n'Klean paddle at Chuckanut Bay, just posted this week). If you like what you see, let us know; if there's something you'd like better, let us know that too.

The first correct response to this month's puzzle will receive four tickets to the Waterwalker's Ball. The Ball is scheduled for Saturday, May 19th, at the Mountaineer's Hall in Old Town Tacoma. Two bands, refreshments and libations, great kayaking camaraderie… here you go!

There are two lengths of rope.
Each one can burn in exactly one hour.
They are not necessarily of the same length or width as each other.
They also are not of uniform width (may be wider in middle than on the end), thus burning half of the rope is not necessarily 1/2 hour.
By burning the ropes, how do you measure exactly 45 minutes worth of time?

If you have the answer, take a second or two and email it to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it with the words "Tickets Please" on the subject line. Answers must be well-reasoned, fully explained and in English. If you don't win, tickets are still available and can be had for a mere $10 each. You won't want to miss it! More info on the Ball is on the web site at
http://www.azimuthexpeditions.com/waterwalkers-ball.html

Last month's outing to Chuckanut Bay was a great day on the water. This month we're heading to Anderson Island to clear some of the trash from the beach at the Cascadia Marine Trail site on Anderson Island. It's one of the most beautiful spots in the south Sound and this event is a great opportunity to give back to the environment in a meaningful way, right where you live and paddle. There is a K'n'K scheduled every month of the year… check the Azimuth calendar online for upcoming destinations.

There are still spots available in our May classes, although many of them are filling fast. For a complete schedule, check the web site calendar… in the meantime, here are a few selected courses.