It took me seven years to let myself flop over in my kayak to practice bracing, and I m still working on it. If you want to work on a particular skill that scares you, bracing in choppy water, for example, find a skilled teacher, either commercially or through BASK, and tell that person exactly what s going on. Set up your ideal learning situation. Maybe you need two teachers in gentle chop, maybe you need to set a specific goal for a session, like just poking your nose around the point to flirt with the chop for 5 minutes before you head back to the protected cove. Take the time to set up what s right for you.
Fear is the appropriate response to what it truly threatening.
When you are in a threatening situation, realistically appraise your skills vs. the demands of the environment. Maybe you don t need to go there. By paddling in environments that gradually challenge your skills, you give yourself the training you need to assess your ability to take care of yourself and others. Go for it. It s OK to admit something is scary.