Teen Lifeguard Saves 10-Year-Old From 10-Foot California Waves

Ryder Williams didn't hesitate when he saw 10-year-old Nathaniel lose his footing in the rough waters of Seabright State Beach. The 16-year-old lifeguard grabbed his fins and rescue buoy, radioed for backup, and dove into waves reaching up to 10 feet tall.

What happened next was captured on video that's now been viewed millions of times. Williams reached the unconscious child about 20 yards offshore and held him tight as wave after wave crashed over them both.

"After the first wave, I was unable to pull him out because he was limp and the waves were pushing so hard," Williams said. He refused to let go through three more massive waves before fellow lifeguard Aaron Bohnen reached them to help.

Nathaniel had been standing on wet sand near the shoreline when a wave knocked him down and dragged him roughly 15 yards into deep water. The beach was under a high surf advisory, with swells generating 4 to 6-foot waves and occasional 10-footers.

The child's father, Sumit Rai, received the call every parent dreads. "My son told me, 'Dad, I drowned. I went unconscious,'" Rai shared. He wasn't on the beach that day and hasn't yet seen his son since the rescue.

Williams had to move about 100 pounds of limp child through crashing surf to reach safety. "Doing that is remarkable," Rai said. "There is no way I could ever repay him."

The Ripple Effect

The rescue went viral at just the right time. Santa Cruz lifeguards performed 34 rescues that same weekend and made over 5,000 preventative contacts along the coastline, saving countless lives most people will never hear about.

President Trump said Williams deserved a trip to the White House and a civilian honor for his courage. Rai couldn't agree more. "He absolutely should. I'm for any award or recognition," he said. "My children are precious to me and nothing means more to me."

Williams stayed humble about the attention. "I'm grateful to have had the opportunity to return the child to his family safely," he said. "This is my job and I love what I do. I'm thankful to my fellow lifeguards who perform rescues just like this every day."

Nathaniel made it home safely, and his dad can't wait to give him that big hug.