Surfer's Daring Proposal Makes A Seriously Romantic Splash

The perfect proposal combines a truly special location, a hint of nostalgia and, of course, the element of surprise.

Peter Abell, a 32-year-old surf instructor from England, was able to achieve all three when he proposed to his girlfriend while they surfed on one of the world’s most mesmerizing natural wonders: A long-lasting river wave known as a tidal bore, which only occurs during a full or new moon. 

While Abell and his girlfriend Angie de Burgh were surfing the tidal bore in the River Severn in Great Britain last weekend, Abell got down on one knee, removed a ring box from his wetsuit, turned to de Burgh and asked, “Will you marry me?”

Of course, de Burgh quickly yelled “yes!” Watch how it all went down in the video above.

“Me and Ange are keen surfers,” Abell told The Huffington Post, adding that they first met while surfing that same tidal bore three years ago. “It’s awesome to have a partner that surfs and understands how much it means to me.”

Not only is the Severn Bore the place where Abell and de Burgh’s relationship began, it’s in the same river where Abell’s father proposed to his mother 40 years earlier.

“My parents got engaged on the bank of the river on a full moon spring tide,” Abell told The Huffington Post. “So it’s an extra special place.”

Abell’s father died just three weeks before the proposal, but Abell was able to share his plans with his father ― and get his blessing ― before his death.

“Dad was so happy that I was going to marry Ange,” Abell explained. “He told me he could find no fault in her [so I should] hurry up and do it.”

To avoid any mishaps, Abell used a fake ring over the water, which de Burgh wore as they surfed the rest of the wave, side-by-side, for nearly a mile. When they reached land, Abell presented her with the real engagement ring, along with a bottle of champagne to celebrate.

Abell said that surfing will continue to be an important part of his and his new fiancée’s relationship, even after they officially tie the knot.

The reason, he added, is simple: “Couples who surf together, stay together.”