Ryder Williams
Ryder Williams | |
|---|---|
.jpg) American Ocean Lifeguard in 2026 | |
| Born | 2010 (age 15–16) California, U.S. |
| Occupation | Lifeguard |
| Known for | Seabright State Beach rescue (2026) |
Ryder Williams (born 2010) is an American seasonal ocean lifeguard with California State Parks. In July 2026, he participated in the rescue of a 10-year-old boy who was swept into hazardous surf at Seabright State Beach in Santa Cruz, California.[1][2] Williams was later received at the White House by President Donald Trump alongside the boy he rescued.[3]
Early life
Williams grew up in Santa Cruz County, California, where he developed an interest in ocean swimming and surfing from an early age.[4][5] He participated in the Santa Cruz Junior Guards program before completing the California State Parks lifeguard academy in 2026 and beginning work as a seasonal ocean lifeguard.[6][7]
2026 Seabright State Beach rescue
On July 25, 2026, Williams was on duty as a seasonal California State Parks lifeguard at Seabright State Beach in Santa Cruz when hazardous surf generated by swells from Hurricane Genevieve affected the coastline.[8] At approximately 3:30 p.m., a 10-year-old boy was knocked off his feet by a breaking wave and carried into deeper water by the surf.[9]
Williams entered the water with a rescue buoy after requesting assistance by radio. He reached the child and kept him above the water while attempting to return to shore through heavy breaking waves.[10][11] Fellow lifeguard Aaron Bohnen later joined the rescue, and together they brought the child safely back to the beach, where emergency medical personnel examined him before he was reunited with his family.[12][13]
Recognition
Following the rescue, Williams received public recognition from government officials and emergency response organizations. On July 28, 2026, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that Williams and his family would be invited to the White House in recognition of the rescue.[14][15][16]
After the incident, Williams and his family asked members of the public not to create personal fundraising campaigns on his behalf. Instead, they encouraged those wishing to show support to donate to the Santa Cruz Junior Guards program, where Williams had trained before joining California State Parks.[17]
On August 17, 2026, Williams and Nathaniel Rai, the boy he rescued, were received by President Trump at the White House and met with the president in the Oval Office.[18][19] Lifeguard Aaron Bohnen, who assisted Williams during the rescue, also attended the meeting.[20]
The White House meeting followed widespread coverage of the July rescue. Williams said his training helped him respond to the emergency, while Rai's family expressed gratitude for the rescue.[21][22] The Washington Post reported that Williams had continued his duties after the rescue and described the incident as his first summer working as a California State Parks lifeguard.[23]
References
- ↑ "Father of boy rescued from pounding California surf says he is beyond grateful to teen lifeguard". Associated Press. July 30, 2026. Retrieved August 18, 2026.
- ↑ Melnick, Kyle (July 30, 2026). "Lifeguard, 16, who saved child from pounding surf describes dramatic rescue". The Washington Post. Retrieved August 18, 2026.
- ↑ "Teen lifeguard and boy he rescued are honored at White House after Trump saw dramatic viral video". Associated Press. August 17, 2026. Retrieved August 18, 2026.
- ↑ "Teen California lifeguard "grateful" after rescuing child caught in powerful surf". CBS News. July 30, 2026. Retrieved August 18, 2026.
- ↑ Mishra, Rita (July 29, 2026). "Santa Cruz lifeguard rescue". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved July 30, 2026.
- ↑ "16-year-old local lifeguard that rescued child from pounding surf in Santa Cruz speaks out". Santa Cruz Sentinel. July 30, 2026. Retrieved 31 July 2026.
- ↑ "16-year-old rookie lifeguard describes moment he ran into rough surf to save drowning boy at Seabright". Lookout Santa Cruz. Retrieved 31 July 2026.
- ↑ "Teen lifeguard Ryder Williams saved a 10-year-old from dangerous waves Santa Cruz, California, then returned to rescue 4 more people the same day". The Economic Times. 2026-07-30. ISSN 0013-0389. Retrieved 2026-07-30.
- ↑ "16-Year-Old Lifeguard Ryder Williams Saves Boy from Drowning in California". Hubanti News. 2026-07-30. Retrieved 2026-07-31.
- ↑ "Video: Santa Cruz lifeguard Ryder Williams rescue". The Dallas Morning News. July 29, 2026. Retrieved July 30, 2026.
- ↑ "California rookie lifeguard Ryder Williams saved a 10-year-old from 10-foot waves in his first rescue". The Times of India. July 30, 2026. Retrieved 31 July 2026.
- ↑ "Hero teen lifeguard speaks after viral rescue of 10-year-old". ABC News. July 30, 2026. Retrieved 31 July 2026.
- ↑ "Heroic teen lifeguard who saved boy from pounding California surf rescued others that day, family reveals". New York Post. July 28, 2026. Retrieved July 30, 2026.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ "Rookie lifeguard who rescued 10-year-old boy to be honored at White House". Pajaronian. July 29, 2026. Retrieved 31 July 2026.
- ↑ "Who is Ryder Williams? Heroic teen lifeguard earns White House invite from Trump after saving child". Hindustan Times. July 29, 2026. Retrieved July 30, 2026.
- ↑ "President Donald Trump has invited 16-year-old rookie life guard with his family to the White House for a special honour: All about Ryder Williams who made California proud". The Times of India. July 29, 2026. Retrieved July 30, 2026.
- ↑ "Who is Ryder Williams? Trump honors teen lifeguard behind viral rescue". Newsweek. July 29, 2026. Retrieved 31 July 2026.
- ↑ "President Trump Welcomes Hero Lifeguard Ryder Williams to the Oval Office". The White House. 2026-08-17. Retrieved 2026-08-18.
- ↑ Melnick, Kyle (2026-08-17). "Teen lifeguard, who saved child from dangerous surf, meets with Trump". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2026-08-18.
- ↑ "Teen lifeguard and boy he rescued are honored at White House after Trump saw dramatic viral video". Associated Press. August 17, 2026. Retrieved August 18, 2026.
- ↑ "Heroic 16-year-old lifeguard who saved child recognized at White House". ABC News. August 18, 2026. Retrieved August 18, 2026.
- ↑ "Heroic 16-year-old lifeguard who saved child recognized at White House". ABC News. Retrieved 2026-08-18.
- ↑ Melnick, Kyle (July 30, 2026). "Lifeguard, 16, who saved child from pounding surf describes dramatic rescue". The Washington Post. Retrieved August 18, 2026.