Lifeguard in viral Santa Cruz surf rescue gains recognition as officials highlight beach safety
SANTA CRUZ, Calif. (KGO) -- The brave 16-year-old Santa Cruz lifeguard, seen in a viral video rescuing a 10-year-old boy from dangerous conditions, says he is grateful for all the accolades -- but he's also pretty stunned by it all.
And with another warm and busy beach weekend approaching, the lifeguards who work with Ryder Williams are hoping all of us will heed their warnings and stay safe.
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Williams continues to receive national attention after rescuing Nathaniel Rai, who was swept into the ocean by a sneaker wave over the weekend at Seabright Beach. Rai was pulled into the water when the wave struck.
Williams rescued the boy with assistance from fellow lifeguard Aaron Bohnen and others.
The rescue has drawn widespread recognition, including from Pres. Donald Trump, who posted on social media that he wants to invite Williams to the White House to receive a high civilian honor.
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Williams is in his first season as a lifeguard, according to his lifeguard supervisor, Byran Kine, of California State Parks.
"He's just super overwhelmed by all of this attention. And, you know, he's still trying to figure out how to be a lifeguard," Kine said.
Kine praised Williams' actions during the rescue.
"He's definitely a special individual. And we are really proud to have him on the team and definitely stoked on the actions that he took and that we were able to bring everybody home safely that night," Kine said.
Williams participated in the junior lifeguard program and worked as a youth aide before becoming a lifeguard, Kine said.
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In a statement, he said: "I'm grateful to have had the opportunity to return the child to his family safely. This is my job and I love what I do."
Rep. Jimmy Panetta, D-Calif., who represents Santa Cruz, also commended Williams and the other lifeguards involved in the rescue effort.
"What they saw was a lifeguard, who's 16 years old, doing his first rescue, and saving a life with such dogged determination," Panetta said.
Panetta also highlighted the demands facing lifeguards along the California coast during the busy summer season.
"In Santa Cruz just last weekend alone, there were 33 rescues, there were 6,800 contacts. And obviously with this weekend coming up, it's kind of another example of what you're going to see: high temperatures, high waves, millions of people go into our California coastline and probably going to see thousands of rescues like this," he said.
Officials said the rescue serves as a reminder for beachgoers to remain vigilant near the water. Experts advise beachgoers never turn their backs to the ocean and to keep young children within arm's reach so they can be quickly assisted if knocked down by waves or pulled toward the water.
