Does the fear of bigger waves ever go away?

Honest answer: it never goes away, you just build a better relationship with it. I still get the stomach drop looking at a solid set. The fear is information — it's telling you to have a plan, not to go home.

What helped me: watch for fifteen minutes before deciding. Half the time 'overhead' is three overhead sets an hour and a lot of chest-high in between.

Build up in small steps with someone more experienced next to you. There's no prize for rushing it — the sea's not going anywhere.

This thread should be pinned. The bravest thing in surfing is being honest about your limits on the day.