A Plunge and a Proposal on Beach 119th

By Katie McFadden

There’s only one way to face a 25-degree day with wind gusts making it feel even colder before jumping into a 42-degree ocean at low tide—by pretending like you’re marching into battle. At least, that’s how Beach 119th does it for the annual polar plunge to ring in the New Year. And this year’s Beach 119th plunge ended with another ring.

Despite the low temps, the high winds and even an early-morning snow squall giving the peninsula a fresh coating of snow, neighbors from Beach 119th Street, joined by family and friends, marched to the beat of a drum with an American flag raised high in the air, as they prepared to take on the challenge of celebrating a new year with a freezing dip into the ocean.

But spirits were high, for some, in part, due to imbibing spirits for some inner warmth and liquid courage, and others were filled with the pure will to not let the cold ruin a Rockaway tradition of starting the new year in the most invigorating way.

And for two brave plungers, it was cause for even further celebration, as after taking the plunge, Eddie Warren declared he was ready to take another plunge, into marriage with Taylor Vegh. As the shock of jumping into the freezing Atlantic wore off, Warren dropped to one knee and gave Vegh another shock by popping the question. Of course, she said yes. Congratulations, Eddie and Taylor! Wishing you a lifetime of happiness, and warmth!

Photos by Dan Guarino.