They Met on a SurfYogaBeer Trip in Nicaragua. Now They’re Married!

Believe it or not, some love stories actually unfold in the wild, and this one began on the beaches of Playa Maderas, Nicaragua.

That’s exactly how Beth and Duncan met. “In the wild” on a SurfYogaBeer group trip in Nicaragua for New Year’s Eve. Fast forward three years, they’re married, and we’re over here screaming (and crying) with sheer excitement! 

Read on to see how this love story unfolded all by saying “yes” to group travel.

Photo credit: Sunny Lee Photo

SYB Nicaragua, NYE 2023

It’s funny how, without knowing, you can be living just a few subway stops away from someone who’s about to change your life, and instead meet them on a New Year’s Eve trip in Central America. On this particular trip, coincidentally loaded with a crew of people from NYC, Duncan and Beth met. One night, leader Steph decided Beth needed to come out of her shell, so she enlisted Duncan to help. His method? Shouting “would you rather” questions across the dinner table until Beth finally loosened up.

NYC, 2023

Back in New York City, the friendship kept going strong. They hung out frequently, often including ice cream runs and exploring the city together with their new SYB friends. In July 2023, Beth officially started advising on the operations for Duncan’s Psychology practice, CBT Collective.

The plot twist: SYB Nicaragua, NYE 2024 

New Year’s Eve, Nicaragua, round two with SurfYogaBeer! After days of ocean swims, laughter, and lingering firmly in the “just friends” zone, everything changed on the final night of the trip. On January 1st, Duncan made a bold, spur-of-the-moment move and kissed Beth, marking the beginning of the rest of their story. 

Adventures around the world, Summer of 2024 

They spent the late summer wandering through Italy and France. Duncan proved his devotion early by carrying both suitcases up what felt like endless Cinque Terre steps on day 1. Somewhere between pasta, crepes, hikes, and train rides, Duncan officially convinced Beth that she should soon join his business full-time! 

NYC, September 2024 

In August, Duncan stumbled upon a listing for Beth’s dream apartment. In just a few short weeks, they were moved in, hosting patio BBQ dinners, building snowmen, and planning for their future shared home office setup! 

SYB Nicaragua, NYE 2025

Round 3! Beth and Duncan returned to Nicaragua with SurfYogaBeer for a third New Year’s Eve together, and first as a couple. This time on their one-year anniversary!

And now, work colleagues: NYC, February 2025 

Beth made it official: she became COO of Duncan’s business. Since then, they’ve opened and decorated offices, hired an operations team, built processes, tackled countless communications, and worked through every tough decision together. Now spending nearly 24/7 together, and loving it.

The proposal: SYB Kenya, June 2025 

Another SurfYogaBeer adventure: this time, a safari in Kenya. They arrived a few days early, and thanks to a lucky last-minute cancellation, Beth snagged one night at Giraffe Manor (a spot she’d had on her radar for years). When Beth hesitated to book it, Duncan encouraged her to go for it, reminding her that the opportunity might not come up again. Secretly, he had his own plan. 

Duncan had carefully kept all conversations about getting engaged short and sweet to ensure that Beth would have no idea what was coming. At exactly 6:52 am, while hand-feeding giraffes breakfast, he proposed! Beth was in complete and total shock…and the giraffes were equally baffled about why their breakfast was suddenly interrupted, but they kindly posed for some photos anyway! Obviously, she said YES!

The wedding: Palm Beach, FL, March 2026

Surrounded by friends, family, and of course their SurfYogaBeer crew, Beth and Duncan tied the knot. To no one's surprise, it was an epic celebration full of dancing, laughter, and all the magic that happens when two people meet their perfect match on a SurfYogaBeer adventure. 

To get to see a love story like this unfold is the cherry on top of a deliciously loaded sundae, and we’re just honored to have played a small part in it. Not every trip ends like this, but the best ones always start the same way: by saying yes. 

We always say, “book a trip, change your life,” and yeah, we were right again with this one. Congrats, Beth and Duncan! Cheers to a lifetime full of more epic adventures! 

Curious about group travel? Check out an upcoming SurfYogaBeer trip.