Teen Lifeguard Recounts Dramatic Rescue that Saved 10-Year-Old at a California Beach
- On Saturday, July 25, 2026, 16-year-old Santa Cruz lifeguard Ryder Williams rescued 10-year-old Nathaniel Rai from dangerous surf at Seabright Beach, entering the ocean amid powerful swells to pull the boy to safety.
- Nathaniel was standing in shallow water when sudden 10-foot swells swept him 15 yards into the ocean, according to California State Parks, causing the boy to lose consciousness during the incident.
- Captured on video by Scott Vander Dussen, the two-and-a-half-minute rescue shows Williams battling waves to reach the boy, with fellow lifeguard Aaron Bohnen assisting in the operation.
- Expressing deep gratitude, Sumit Rai said he is "forever grateful" to the lifeguards for saving his son's life, while Congressman Jimmy Panetta called the rescue "remarkable."
- Following the viral rescue, President Donald Trump invited Williams to the White House to receive a civilian honor, though his father, Shane Williams, noted his son was not seeking fame.
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Indian-American father shares how lifeguard snatched son from deadly California surf
Sumit Rai has described how a teenage lifeguard pulled his 10-year-old son Nathaniel from rough surf at Seabright Beach in California. He said the boy blacked out in the water and credited Ryder Williams, Aaron Bohnen and others with saving his life.
‘This is my job’: 16-year-old lifeguard describes how he rescued child from pounding surf in Santa Cruz
“I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to return the child to his family safely,” says Ryder Williams. “I’m thankful to my fellow lifeguards who perform rescues just like this every day.”
Father of boy rescued from pounding California surf says he is beyond grateful to teen lifeguard - WXXV News 25
By HALLIE GOLDEN The father of a 10-year-old rescued from pounding surf off the California coast in a dramatic scene captured on video says he is beyond grateful to the teenage lifeguard who saved his son. “He ran into that water despite those conditions that are deadly. You have 10 foot waves; you have riptides and currents coming in,” Sumit Rai told The Associated Press on Wednesday. “It is not safe for him to go into that water. So he’s ris…
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