When I was young I was a brat about learning and after that time I would use pinching my noise as a crutch. Now that I am surfing, holding your breath without pinching your noise is key for 2 main moves that I would like to master. One is flipping the board over your head and going under when a large wave is approaching. The second is diving under the wave while still on the board.

I use to wait until the wave would calm before swimming out. But today I was determined, swimming full speed toward the large waves. I made several queries as to the best way to learn and then got on with it.  After only a few tries I was pinch free.  I’m no expert by any means, but I realised that my fear was much greater then the reality.

Doubt is to be avoided, but fear we must face head on!