This first reading by Adrian is his own metaphorically poetic way of illustrating what exactly this subject is for us.
Basically, we are constituted to be that of a boat, amongst an ocean and/or sea of ideas. The boat does not have a specific destination, nor is there shore to be seen in the distance. Once again comes the idea that we are in charge…for this subject at least. It’s not about following a quota of work that we are expected to complete, but that we are expected to pave our own paths. Or in this case, row our own sea.
Just as in any learning environment, some will choose to row vigorously, some will choose to float by amongst the waves and live by the moment. If I was to take on a more biblical stance to the prose, we fish our own fish and it is up to me to decide the quality and quantity. Of course, there was no fish mentioned but you can’t blame me for going that-a-way with “sea of ideas”. Most importantly, it is up to me to open up myself to what is around me and believe that there is, fish to fish.