Generation Talk #6: PB and MQ

Generation Talk #6: PB (Age 80) and MQ (Age 13)

PB is a woman in her eighties who has been sailing for the last twenty years. To her, sailing is an important, lifelong hobby. MQ is a teenage boy in eighth grade who just learned how to sail for the first time last summer. To him, the world of sailing is completely new—and a bit scary sometimes.

On April 7th, 2026, PB and MQ had a conversation about sailing—a similar yet different aspect of each of their lives.

Portrait of MQ (on the left) and PB (on the right)

When did you first get into sailing, PB?

PB: I started sailing when I was in my thirties. We had two nephews coming to visit, and they were going to stay for about a month or so in the summer. I had to keep them busy, so I signed both of them up for a sailing class. One of them really didn’t want to take it, so I took the course instead. That was the first time I sailed, and I didn’t do much sailing after that. But then, in 2000, I joined the Balboa Yacht Club. I got a sabot (a type of small boat), and I took a lot of lessons (I sure needed them!), and that’s how I got started.

What about you, MQ? What do you like about sailing?

MQ: Well, first of all, I really like being on the water. I think it’s really fun being out in the harbor. There are also a lot of different things to constantly look at while you’re sailing. There are a lot of things to pay attention to and think about. I really like sailing because it’s a very mental sport.

PB: Yes, I love how sailing is so engaging for your mind. As you said, there are so many factors to consider—the wind, if there’s another huge boat in your way coming to run you over, which way the tide is going, and so much more. I find that since my mind is being engaged, I don’t really think about anything else when I’m sailing. It’s like a mental vacation. You just think about sailing, and that’s kind of it.

Well, PB, it’s really cool that you picked up this awesome hobby later in your life when you were in your thirties, and you still do it now.

PB: Yes, it’s very nice. It’s like rowing, too. I didn’t do that until I was older either.

I tried it out when I joined the Balboa Yacht Club. I still row to this day!

Rowing is a really good full-body workout. It makes your arms and your legs strong. You need to know how to stay balanced in the boat.

PB, what do you like better, sailing or rowing?

PB: I guess I would say sailing. But I like rowing, because it’s a good physical workout. I used to think that sailing was not a physical sport like rowing, but now I am beginning to realize that it really is! A sabot, the kind of boat I sail, weighs about 110 pounds. You lift it with somebody else, so you’re lifting about 50 pounds by yourself. It’s got to be put away, taken out, and pulled out of the water. It really is a workout, too! What kind of boat are you sailing in now, MQ?

MQ: I sail in a small boat called an Opti.

PB: Very cool!

MQ, what are some of the most important lessons sailing has taught you?

MQ: Well, for me, it’s to always bring extra clothes.

I started sailing at a sailing camp last summer. I brought extra clothes every single day, but I ended up not needing them. So, the next time I went sailing in the fall after that summer sailing camp, I didn’t bring extra clothes because I thought I didn’t need them. But on the first day of fall sailing, it was really windy, and I ended up capsizing! I got all wet, and that was the one day I didn’t bring clothes!

Now I know that it’s always good to be prepared, even if you don’t think you need to!

PB: I totally agree with you! You should always wear a life jacket, too!

And you have to be very aware of other boats around you. You don’t want to get run over by them! There are some pretty big boats in the harbor. It’s important to pay attention to what’s around you on the water!

PB, do you have any sailing advice for MQ?

PB: Just keep on learning. Sailing is like life—it’s a never-ending, wonderful adventure!

(This conversation has been edited for clarity.)