Professional surfer gifts twin sister 63-year-old bell as consolation for missing wedding!

Isabella Nichols delivers a fairytale ending.

One of the most gut-wrenching stories of this month was certainly the tale of Australia’s Isabella Nichols missing her twin sister’s wedding. The 27-year-old Australian was in El Salvador, you see, but not why you might think (locked into a mega prison after overstaying a US tourist visa by 30 minutes). No, the former World Junior Champion was in the country competing in the longest surf contest in history, one that dragged out over a grueling nine days.

Nichols attempted to put a brave face on the familial devastation after coming in 2nd, declaring, “I love coming back here (to El Salvador). The people are amazing, and the waves are beautiful. It’s just an incredible part of the world, and I just have so many people to thank. Especially my family for understanding that this is part of the job, and I was there (at the wedding) in spirit. As athletes and anyone really working on the road, there’s sacrifices that you have to make. This one was probably the biggest sacrifice I’ve had to make. My parents, my sister, George, and everyone at home, I just wanted to say I hope you have the most wonderful day today. I’m dedicating this one to you, Helena.”

Well, what do you gift a broken-hearted twin sister after missing one of the biggest days of her life? Apparently a 63-year-old bell inside a mid-sized wooden box with no walls. Nichols went straight from the longest surf contest in history to the longest running surf contest in history, the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach, and proceeded to stomp countrywoman Molly Picklum then Brazil’s Luana Silva on route to a stunning victory.

“The process for this win has honestly been a 15-year process,” Nichols stated afterward. “I’ve been coming here since I was 15 years old. All the trips down here, three times a year to come down and work on my technique and it’s all paid off. To have a bell, honestly this does not feel real. I’m speechless.”

Oh shoot. Maybe she isn’t gifting it to her twin. It sounds like she’s just straight up keeping it. Possibly doesn’t match the marital home’s decor?

In any case, Nichols is now number four in the world after nearly giving up professional surfing altogether.

A fairytale run.