SANTA CRUZ — President Donald Trump said on social media that he would invite the teenage lifeguard and his family to the White House to receive a High Civilian Honor after the 16-year-old rescued a boy from strong surf in Santa Cruz. The announcement followed the rescue of a 10-year-old boy by Ryder Williams, a lifeguard at Seabright State Beach, on July 25, 2026.

Williams is a first-year lifeguard at Seabright State Beach in Santa Cruz, California. He entered the ocean to save the child after the boy was swept approximately 15 yards offshore. The rescue operation lasted just over two minutes.

Scott Vander Dussen recorded video of the rescue at Seabright State Beach. Several adults jumped into the water to help but retreated after being knocked back by waves. A second lifeguard assisted in bringing the boy safely to shore.

Paramedics evaluated the boy before releasing him to his parents. Vander Dussen described the sudden change in ocean conditions that led to the incident.

"The waves, I wouldn’t say they were tranquil, but they were what you’d expect, a normal cadence and intensity. And then that just changed in a heartbeat. It caught a lot of people off guard. Unfortunately, this young man was overwhelmed and swept out in just a moment’s time. I’m glad it ended the way it did. Vander Dussen said."

Vander Dussen also described the lifeguard's immediate response to the emergency. I saw the lifeguard just run straight out into the water, and, you know, he dove in, setting fear aside, he said.

Byran Kine, lifeguard supervisor for Santa Cruz State Parks, stated that the conditions were difficult for trained personnel. It is really, really strong surf right now, so even for us, it's really challenging, in the knee-to-waist-deep range when there's so much water moving," Kine said."

The National Weather Service reported that some breaking waves reached heights of ten feet on the day of the rescue. Hazardous surf conditions are forecast to persist through Wednesday.

Lifeguard agencies in the region conducted numerous rescues during the same period. California State Parks lifeguards performed 34 rescues in the Santa Cruz area over the weekend. Santa Cruz city lifeguards rescued 29 people from Santa Cruz beaches from Friday through Sunday. At least 25 rescues were reported in Santa Cruz County on Saturday due to massive swells.

President Donald Trump addressed the rescue in a social media post, praising the actions of the teenage lifeguard. "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. Very brave, he deserves it!" Trump wrote.

Eric Trump also commented on the incident by reposting the rescue video. He stated that the lifeguard should receive the highest civilian honor. "Give this 16-year-old lifeguard the highest civilian honor. This is truly the best of America! Well done!" Eric he wrote.