A 16-year-old lifeguard, Ryder Williams, has garnered praise from President Trump after his courageous act of saving a 10-year-old boy from dangerous waves at a beach in Santa Cruz. His family has shared that Ryder, despite the sudden attention, remains humble and is eager to continue his duties at the lifeguard station.
His father, Shane, expressed pride in Ryder’s character, emphasizing that the teen is just trying to enjoy his summer and contribute to the community. “He’s a great kid,” he noted, reflecting on Ryder’s nature.
Interestingly, Ryder’s rescues didn’t end there—on the same day, he was involved in several more rescues, which further highlights his bravery. His grandfather, George, pointed out that some of these were even more perilous than the initial rescue.
The dramatic events at Sea Bright Beach unfolded when a wave pulled the young swimmer into the depths. Witnessing the chaos, Ryder dove in without hesitation, battling the waves to bring the child back to safety. His actions were recorded, capturing the moment and eventually drawing the attention of President Trump.
On Tuesday, Trump announced that Ryder would receive a “high civilian honor” for his bravery, which the family is still trying to process. According to Shane, they haven’t received any communication from the White House yet regarding a visit to D.C.
Despite becoming a local hero almost overnight, Ryder is keen to return to normalcy. A senior in high school and an only child, he isn’t letting the newfound fame distract him from his responsibilities at the beach.
Ryder mentioned aspirations to follow in his father’s footsteps into the fire service, although his dad cautiously added that they are simply taking things one step at a time.
After the rescue, Ryder did sustain minor injuries, which he brushed off lightly. But when he got home, he conveyed a deeper emotional resonance regarding the incident—his instinct to save the boy was strong, and reflecting on that made his father emotional.
Ryder simply told his family, “It was all in a day’s work. This is my job.” His humility shines through, as his grandfather remarked on how much Ryder dislikes the spotlight. “He’s just a great kid,” George added fondly, “We love him to pieces.”
