President Donald Trump plans to welcome a heroic 16-year-old lifeguard to the White House after video of the teenager battling towering waves to save a 10-year-old boy captivated the nation.
Ryder Williams, a rookie California State Parks lifeguard, rushed into dangerous surf at Seabright State Beach in Santa Cruz on Saturday after spotting the child lose his footing in shallow water.
The White House announced Tuesday that Trump intends to recognize Williams for his bravery.
“We’re going to bring this heroic young man, and his family, into the White House with, perhaps, the boy he saved, to give him a High Civilian Honor,” Trump said in a statement shared by the White House. “Very brave, he deserves it!”
The White House has not yet identified the specific honor Williams will receive or announced a date for the ceremony. Trump’s statement also indicated that the rescued boy could be invited to attend with Williams and his family. Trump issued the invitation after footage of the rescue spread across social media.
Williams, speaking publicly about the ordeal for the first time Wednesday, described how quickly the conditions turned dangerous.
“I was at the waterline 15 yards downcoast of Tower 2 making a safety contact when I looked up and saw a child about 20 yards up from the tower lose his footing in ankle-deep water,” Williams said in a statement released by California State Parks.
Williams radioed for help, threw down his radio and sunglasses and sprinted toward the child. He entered the water with his fins and rescue buoy, but the violent surf prevented him from properly securing the boy with his flotation device.
“After the first wave I was unable to pull him out because he was limp and the waves were pushing so hard,” Williams said. “There were two to three more waves before lifeguard Aaron Bohnen entered the water to help me.”
Viral footage recorded by photographer Scott Vander Dussen showed Williams refusing to release the child as repeated waves crashed over them. At several points, both Williams and the boy disappeared completely beneath the surf.
Williams said several bystanders attempted to enter the water and help, but he ordered them back to shore to prevent the rescue from becoming even more dangerous.
Once Bohnen reached Williams, the two lifeguards carried the child out of the water. Williams then retrieved a medical bag so they could assess him.
“Shortly after, I got back into my tower where I returned to provide lifeguard services for the rest of my shift,” Williams said.
California State Parks described Williams as a rookie lifeguard and said the area was experiencing a significant swell event. Waves were consistently reaching between four and six feet, with some climbing as high as 10 feet, according to KTVU.
Williams’ rescue was one of 34 performed by lifeguards in the Santa Cruz district over the weekend.
“Their dedication never goes unnoticed and they are truly heroes to their local communities, Californians and the nation,” California State Parks said.
The rescued boy was identified as Nathaniel. His father, Sumit Rai, said Williams faced an extraordinary challenge because his approximately 100-pound son had lost consciousness in the water.
“It was a remarkable effort to bring him back to shore,” Rai told KTVU. “I mean Ryder fought the sea.”
Rai said the teenager’s refusal to relinquish his grip likely saved Nathaniel’s life.
“It’s so easy to let go, and he knew that if he lets go then he’s gonna basically just float away, and he’s gone,” Rai said. “That’s the end of it, and he would have died.”
Despite the national attention and Trump’s promised White House recognition, Williams credited his fellow lifeguards and characterized the dramatic rescue as simply part of his responsibility.
“I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to return the child to his family safely,” Williams said. “This is my job and I love what I do. I’m thankful to my fellow lifeguards who perform rescues just like this every day.”
