This is the heartwarming moment a boyfriend was left on the crest of a wave after proposing – while SURFING.
Surf instructor Peter Abell got down on one knee, held out a ring and popped the question to marine biologist Angie de Burgh.
The proposal happened as they were both surfing down the Severn Bore in the Bristol Channel.
As he balances on his board, the huge tidal wave sweeping up the River Severn, she shouted: “Yes.”
The spot holds special significance for Peter, 32, and Angie, 30, because its where their love of surfing first brought them together in 2013.
And it’s even more sentimental because it’s where Peter’s dad Nigel – who passed away three weeks ago – proposed to his mum Tracy 40 years ago.
Peter, who lives in Mawgan Porth, Cornwall, said: “If it wasn’t for surfing the Bore there is a good chance we wouldn’t ever be together.”
He said he used a fake ring for the proposal which he stashed down the chest of his wetsuit and switched for a real one afterwards.
He added: “It it was very risky – so many things could have gone wrong.
“The wave could have been too small which would have left me flailing around in the river. Luckily we both managed to catch it and stand up.
“Seconds after seeing that Angie had caught the wave I took the opportunity to get on one knee and luckily kept balance.
“She was absolutely clueless. She couldn’t believe it and thought I was joking – but she screamed, ‘Yes’.”
A stunned Angie added: “I was just focused on standing up so we could have a really good ride together, but I looked up and saw this massive ring.
“All that went through my head was, ‘Is he joking? Is that a real ring? Is he going to fall off? Am I going to fall off? Is he going to drop it?’
“He said, ‘Are you going to say yes then? And that’s when you can hear me screaming, ‘Yes.'”
She added: “We both surfed for about a mile before climbing out onto the bank to have a big cuddle and Pete got some champagne out of the van.
“It was very special. Surfing is massive in our lives – it brought us together so it’s the only way he could have done it.”
The cute couple first met at Swansea University a decade ago but neither made a move.
Three years ago, they crossed paths again while riding the Severn Bore, a large surge wave in the estuary of the River Severn, where the tidal range can reach 50 feet.
Peter, who runs Kingsurf Surf School in Newquay, Cornwall, said: “We first met at uni ten years ago but never did anything about it. I was leaving as she was arriving.
“Then three years ago we crossed paths again while surfing the River Sever. We were just cruising down the river.
“I looked to the left and it was Ange. There aren’t that many girls that actually surf the river so it was quite unique.
“After that we went for coffee and met up again and that was it – it was love at second sight.”
“The Severn is really sentimental for us. My father proposed to my mother on its banks on a full moon, which is what make the Bore go past,” he added.
“It is even more sentimental because my father passed away three weeks ago really suddenly. A week before his death I discussed my plans with him.
“He thought it was such a wonderful idea.
“There was no doubt in my mind that I was going to carry on with the proposal.”
Angie added: “I had no idea this was going to happen. All I was thinking about was surfing.
“It was so much pressure to catch the wave in the first place because you there is only one wave – if you miss it, that is the whole trip ruined.
“It was a massive surprise. A really nice surprise.”
Peter and Angie plan to tie the knot in Cornwall in summer 2017.
