I actually really struggle with that, and hate the feeling of water up my nose hence the plugs. Some white water kayakers I know don’t bother, but most do because if you’re play boating or running something class 3 plus the torrent of water is being forced up your nose and that sucks. If I’m just swimming I can manage with out nose plugs but it took me a couple of years in my late teens to get used to not holding my nose. And even still if I’m jumping from something higher than the edge of a pool/low diving board I physically hold my nose