Teen Lifeguard Describes Heroic Rescue of Drowning Child
A 16-year-old lifeguard, Ryder Williams, known for his dramatic rescue of a 10-year-old boy at Santa Cruz Beach, shared his experience in a statement on Wednesday.
In his account, released by California State Parks, Williams recounted the moment he spotted the child. “While I was at the waterline, about 15 yards downstream from Tower 2, I suddenly noticed a child stranded in ankle-deep water, roughly 20 yards from the tower,” he stated.
He further described the chaotic scene. “I radioed my location, tossed my radio and sunglasses aside, and sprinted toward the child. I fitted my fins on my wrist, prepared the buoy, and entered the rough water,” he explained. He faced challenges due to the unstable conditions, which prevented him from using the rescue tube effectively. “After the first wave, the boy went limp,” he added. Williams called for assistance from lifeguard Aaron Boonen and bystanders, urging them to return to the shore for safety.
After successfully bringing the child to safety, the duo was instructed by Boonen’s team to assess the child’s condition and collect any necessary medication. Williams returned to his post shortly thereafter to continue lifeguard duties for the remainder of his shift.
Reflecting on the event, Williams expressed gratitude for the opportunity to reunite the boy with his family, saying, “This is my job, and I love what I do. I’m thankful for my fellow lifeguards who engage in similar rescues every day.”
The rescue garnered national attention and earned Williams an invitation to the White House. It was announced that he would receive the Civilian Honor Award for his bravery, with the White House acknowledging his heroic actions in a social media post attributed to President Donald Trump.
Williams’ rescue was part of a larger effort, with California State Parks stating that lifeguards conducted 34 rescues in the Santa Cruz area over the same weekend. They emphasized that all lifeguard towers were staffed, including specialized teams ready for emergency situations.
The boy involved in the rescue, identified as Nathaniel, received high praise from his father, Sumit Rai. He recognized the remarkable effort Williams made in bringing Nathaniel back to shore against powerful waves. “It was an incredible struggle,” Rai mentioned, explaining how his son had lost consciousness and became unmanageable due to his weight. He emphasized the dire situation, noting that letting go would have meant drifting away—potentially leading to a tragic outcome.
Fox News Digital has reached out to California State Parks for further comment.
