WASHINGTON, DC - AUGUST 17: U.S. President Donald Trump meets with 16-year-old California State Parks lifeguard Ryder Williams (L) in the Oval Office at the White House on August 17, 2026 in Washington, DC. Williams rescued 10-year-old Nathaniel Rai (R) in rough surf at Seabright Beach in Santa Cruz, California in July. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)
U.S. President Donald Trump meets with 16-year-old California State Parks lifeguard Ryder Williams (L) in the Oval Office at the White House on August 17, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images).

OAN Staff Lillian Mann
4:00 PM – Monday, August 17, 2026

President Donald Trump welcomed 16-year-old lifeguard, Ryder Williams, to the Oval Office on Monday to commemorate his daring Santa Cruz, California, ocean rescue that saved a 10-year-old boy's life.

On Monday, President Trump met with Williams and fellow Santa Cruz State Lifeguards, along with the young boy who Williams rescued from dangerous waves on July 25th at Seabright Beach.

Video footage of the heart-pounding rescue went viral online, catching the attention of Eric Trump, the president's son, who suggested Williams be given the "Highest Civilian Honor."

Not long after, the president reportedly invited Williams, and the young boy, Nathanial Rai, 10, to the Oval Office to recognize the daring rescue.

 

At the White House, Sumit Rai accompanied his son, Nathanial, expressing eternal gratitude for Williams' quick, life-saving actions.

"What you did was incredible and everybody saw it," Trump declared, emphasizing that Williams will set an example for young Americans.

"Maybe lifeguards don't get the credit they deserve," the president added.

When asked by a reporter what was going through his mind in the valuable seconds before the rescue, Williams cited the rigorous lifeguard training he had received in Santa Cruz.

 

"In those dangerous moments that we have, we always try to fall back on our training," Willaims said. "I was really just thinking about how I could get the boy out of the water as fast as I can."

Williams added that he aims to pursue a career in EMS, with a goal to become a firefighter after attending paramedic school.

"We'll give recommendations," Trump quipped.

 

Highlighting the intensity of the rescue, viral footage showed Williams tightly gripping Rai and diving through massive waves to fight off the heavy current. As Williams pulled the boy toward the beach, fellow lifeguard Aaron Bohnen stepped in to help bring the unconscious child ashore.

Williams also warned off bystanders who tried to enter the water, urging them to stay back so they wouldn't be swept out as well.

Nathanial Rai had notably told CBS Mornings, following the rescue, that he "thought he was going to die" before Williams reached him. Sumit Rai also emphasized his own gratitude that Williams "put his life at risk" to save his son.

"He had gone limp. He wasn't breathing. He was basically dead weight, and he's 100 pounds," The father, Sumit Rai previously stated. "So it was an incredible physical feat, not just a mental feat and a feat of bravery. [Ryder] just did everything he was supposed to do to save his life and put his life at risk to do so. I'm forever grateful to him."

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