Back on Kalmus

[ron.c]

May I offer something different than the same old sniping back and forth from Speedy and the gang on bullsh!t topics.

Last Monday, the last day of the traditional summer season (and my first since early June), I made the calculated decision to pay for it by going to Kalmus instead of waiting at home for the tide to come. With a forecast of 10-15 with gusts to 25, it seemed like a safer spot. Similar to Iwindsurf, going to Kalmus is like hanging out in the neighborhood. Pops (Bruce) was occupying his traditional spot 2 spaces away from the main access to the beach. Over the years I’ve become friends with him and his wife Gerda. I’ll never forget the simple gesture one day when he rolled up my sail, enabling me to finish talking with Gerda. Gerda along with being artistically crafty, can do a mean repair job on sails at rock bottom prices.

One thing that can be said for paying the effing entry fee of $20 was the bathrooms were open. No need to fear the dreaded forest.

Relieved in body, soul and of wealth I staked out my claim on a decent parking space. Picking a politically safe middle of the road I pulled up next to a white cargo van. This tall lanky dude with a big smile as Pops calls the chief aka Chris offered me his lay-down tarp for rigging. No lie, I bet the Chief’s trash can has better windsurfing gear than the sh!t I cherish!

Other long timers Ms. J, Drew and Paul were just couple of the many who showed up. These guys have been around enough to know bigger days.

What the heck, back and forth with 6.0 barely to OK conditions, good for drag racing.

Speaking of racing Chris with the latest in racing stuff was the fasted observed. If we were racing for money, I would have gone home without the last dollar in my pocket. I failed on every attempt to keep pace. However, not once did I feel he was making fun of me.

Then Drew and I got into it. Sometimes neck and neck. Closer but usually lost.

On the way home I felt good with my 19.75 year old board resting quietly beside me.

Next up - Thursday’s strong cold front according to NOAA!

[DriverA]

It was a good day at Kalmus despite the light winds. Super low tide, got planing all day with a 7.5, and probably the last time this year I will be able to sail without a wetsuit.

[ron.c]

How could I forget Graham and his dad

RC

[iceratz@comcast.net]

Labor Day at $20 entry for less than 20knots of wind...I was nearly that desperate to give it a try.
But opted instead to go to "secret spot" at inner Lewis Bay in Yarmouth, same windline downwind of Kalmus. I would wait for wind to hopefully come up, or just tool around in the light stuff, or maybe make an upwind run to K.
Turns out the day only provided techie slalom boards and worked for my new board & 7.3m to come into its own, can't believe the planning power on flat water.
Anyways, it probably would have been worth it to pay the $20 just to hang out with the Rieds and other locals.

Two weeks earlier I had a great day at Kalmus, dragging Chris and others in solid 5.0 conditions, in my bathing suit as well. And at a comfy place like Kalmus, in 5.0 winds, all boards seem to work with bliss!
Kalmus has always had the rep & stats for prodicing more wind velocity and will always be my fav for those days when the wind is fickle elsewhere.
Great times to be had...hoping for more soon!
Only hoping they stop charging the f&^^%$20 bucks!!!!

[edoremus337]

is there some sort of season pass you can get for the parking? I would for sure get one for the summer

[Gerda]

Information from Town of Barnstable website

http://www.town.barnstable.ma.us/hycc/weeklyevents/BARNSTABLE%20RECREATION%20DIVISION.pdf

Residents $30 per vehicle
Landlord parking $275
Visitor’s Seasonal Parking Permit $200
Visitor’s Weekly Parking Permit $50

Valid at: Craigville Beach, Kalmus Beach, Hathaway’s Pond, Sandy Neck Beach, Sea Street Beach, Veteran’s Beach.
Valid Dates: Memorial Day Weekend 2010 thru Labor Day 2010
Issued to: Anyone with a current, valid vehicle registration.
For purchase at the Kennedy Skating Rink or by the Mail-In Program

http://town.barnstable.ma.us/Recreation/beachparkingregs.pdf


I can't seem to locate daily fee for 2011 although I believe Kalmus was charging $15 for weekday and $20 for weekends and holidays

however 2010 website says

Type: Daily Pass
Cost: $15 including weekends and holidays. $7 at Hathaway’s Pond Only.
Valid At: Craigville Beach, Kalmus Beach, Hathaway’s Pond, Sandy Neck
Beach, Sea Street Beach, Veteran’s Beach.

http://town.barnstable.ma.us/Recreation/beachparkingregs.pdf

also 2010

Gates open at 9am and are locked promptly at 9pm. Parking
fees are collected from 9am to 3:45pm

HBR