To roll a canoe etc.

Question

Hello,
I can't work out what these exactly mean:
1. learn to ROLL A CANOE
2. all inner fears disappear in THE BURN OF CONCENTRATION demanded by learning (...)
3. these vehicles allow you to move through, and FEEL FOR, THE COUNTRYSIDE, THE MOUNTAINS AND DESERTS

Best regards,
D.

Mister Micawber · Accepted Answer

1. to ROLL A CANOE-- is to paddle one in such a manner that the craft is actually tilted over sideways and then rolled 360 degrees on its long axis, so that the paddler rolls under water and then re-emerges on the other side as the canoe returns to upright (speaking usually of a kayak, actually, I think, in which this is relatively much easier to do than with a canoe proper). It is training to control one's canoe well against the possiblility of accidents. Is that clear?

2. THE BURN OF CONCENTRATION is a metaphor taken from the physical 'burn' of the muscles when exercised strenuously, as with the quadriceps in bicycling or most of the large muscles in weight training. Here I suggest that it means no more than concentration itself-- when you concentrate on the learning itself, you forget the fear of danger or failure.

3. FEEL FOR THE COUNTRYSIDE -- seems to be a rather fanciful image (of what? mountain bikes? 4-wheelers?) which suggests that you can get physically and spiritually close to the natural environment that you are ploughing through in/on these vehicles.

Spellcheck · Answer

...you'd GET A FEEL for the countryside, in that you'd connect with and feel a part of it.

If you say you 'feel for the countryside', that suggests to me that you're manually searching for it!

Demicjusz · Answer

Thanks, it's perfectly clear now (my biggest problem was 'roll a canoe').
The vehicles in question were different kinds really: balloons, canoes etc.

To roll a canoe etc.

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