A 16-year-old lifeguard in California has drawn national attention after rescuing a 10-year-old boy from dangerous surf at Seabright State Beach in Santa Cruz on July 25. Ryder Williams, a rookie lifeguard, pulled Nathaniel Rai from the ocean after the boy was caught in waves estimated at 8 to 10 feet high.

Williams, who was on duty at the time, spotted Nathaniel after the child had been swept off his feet in shallow water. Reacting quickly, Williams abandoned his gear and ran into the rough surf to reach the boy. He described the rescue as particularly challenging due to the strong waves and the near-shore location, which rendered his fins ineffective.

“As I grab the child, he goes limp,” Williams recalled. “I was thinking about if he’s unconscious or not. I needed to go in.” He was unable to pull Nathaniel out on his own and focused on holding his position to prevent them both from being dragged further out to sea until additional help arrived. Nathaniel’s father, Sumit Rai, praised Williams’ quick response, calling it “a miracle” that his son survived.

Following the rescue, Nathaniel was treated on the beach, coughing up sand and in a state of shock. Rai said the boy reported that he had briefly lost consciousness underwater. Williams, however, downplayed the heroics and described the rescue as part of the lifeguard’s duty to ensure public safety. After the incident, he returned to his post and continued to assist beachgoers throughout the day.

The rescue video quickly went viral, prompting President Donald Trump to announce plans to honor Williams with a high civilian award and invite him and his family to the White House. Williams’ father, Shane Williams, a retired firefighter, confirmed the family had been contacted by White House officials, though no official date for the visit had been set.

Despite the sudden national recognition, Williams and his family expressed a desire to return to normal daily life. The teen is preparing to start high school on August 6 and plans to participate in water polo.

Williams also stressed the team effort behind the rescue, noting that multiple lifeguard units were on duty during the incident. He hopes the attention will encourage the public to become better informed about ocean safety before entering the water.