WASHINGTON, D.C. – President Donald Trump on Monday congratulated the 16-year-old Santa Cruz lifeguard who was captured on camera last month saving a 10-year-old boy from violent waves in the Pacific Ocean.
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Trump congratulates teen
What they’re saying:
“This is a great story,” Trump said. “And it’s an honor to be with Ryder Williams. And I understand he was a winner right from the time they first saw him as a lifeguard and a lot of training, a lot of work.”
Trump then added how much he values lifeguards.
“I think you have to have lifeguards around. Right? Because you could go to the water,” Trump said. “It looked so beautiful the day. It was such a beautiful day. Everything nice. The water didn’t look that bad. And then all of a sudden, you see these violent waves come in. That’s what amazes me so much. I studied it, I said, ‘This is incredible.’”
Lifeguard speaks
Ryder sat in a chair to the right of the president in a uniform and tie, his hands clasped together, and Nathanial Rai – the boy he saved – sat to the president’s left.
“In those dangerous moments that we have, we always try to fall back on our training,” Ryder said — the first time he spoke publicly since video of his rescue in late July at Seabright State Beach went viral. “We are trained so well by many to handle that situation as best we can.”
Justin McHenry, California State Parks Aquatic Superintendent, was also in attendance with the boys’ parents and other state officials.
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Photographer Scott Vander Dussen recorded Ryder and a fellow lifeguard pulling Nathaniel out from the sea, which he told KTVU was full of crashing waves.
Vander Dussen, a local beach resident, described the event as the most intense rescue he has ever witnessed and noted that he hopes the footage serves as a warning about ocean safety.
What’s next:
Ryder Williams, 16, of Santa Cruz gets congratulated by President Trump in the White House. Aug. 17, 2026
Ryder told the president he wants to be a firefighter after going to paramedic school.
“I hope that everybody can take away from this and try to help more people,” Ryder said. “Try to look out for everybody around you and, just try to help everybody out as much as you can.”
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