In a gripping tale from Santa Cruz, California, a 10-year-old boy who faced the terrifying force of nature’s waves is recounting the astonishing events that led to his rescue. This near-tragedy has since fostered a remarkable bond between his family and the teenage lifesaver who heroically intervened.
Nathaniel Rai, the young survivor, recently shared with News Media his firsthand experience of the incident. He recounted losing consciousness and ceasing to breathe, just as 16-year-old state lifeguard Ryder Williams managed a daring save amidst the tumultuous waters. Their dramatic and life-affirming rescue was captured in a video that quickly went viral. Once ashore, Nathaniel began to cough up sand, signaling his terrifying experience was finally over.
“Just another couple of seconds in those treacherous waters and Nathaniel would have been swept another 15 to 20 feet away,” explained Nathaniel’s father, Sumit Rai. He vividly described how his son had been on the brink of disaster, where retrieval would have been almost impossible, underscoring the peril of the situation.
Now an ardent admirer of the young lifeguard, Sumit expressed deep gratitude towards Ryder, who is seen as a hero by both families. The White House has reached out to honor this bravery, an accolade Sumit wholly endorses, considering Ryder an indispensable part of their extended family.
Sumit Rai stands with his son, Nathaniel Rai, at a Jiu-Jitsu competition and a medical exhibit. (Photo provided to News Media)
According to the Rai family, the terrifying ordeal unfolded during what was supposed to be a relaxing beach vacation from Dallas with Nathaniel, his mother, Annam, and his 8-year-old sister.
Nathaniel said he was at the shallow end and had no intention of going deeper when a massive wave suddenly crashed over him.
“I started screaming for help,” Nathaniel said. “I think I saw the lifeguard and then passed out.”
Sumit said Ryder then swooped in with extreme determination, maintaining a firm grip on Nathaniel throughout the rescue, knowing that even a momentary loss of control could have sent the boy farther out into the dangerous surf.
“He was limp and unconscious in the water at that time when Ryder was holding him, which is really difficult to do, because he’s carrying about 100 pounds of essentially dead weight through that current and those water forces,” Sumit added.
Nathaniel Rai poses in a go-kart alongside California State Lifeguard Ryder Williams. Williams pulled Rai from dangerous rip currents during a dramatic ocean rescue in Santa Cruz, California, late July. (Provided to News Media/@castateparks/Instagram)
By the time Nathaniel was brought back to the beach, he had regained consciousness and was breathing again, but he was coughing up sand that had entered his lungs. Emergency personnel evaluated him and warned the family about “secondary drowning,” potentially life-threatening complications that can develop hours after a drowning event.
Sumit said he was in Dallas when he learned what happened, but the viral video of the rescue added another layer of shock to the frightening ordeal.
“It was terrifying,” he said. “When you look at that, you look at him submerged under the water, you look at the water conditions, the rip tides, the rip currents, the under toes, the 10-foot waves. I mean those are deadly water conditions.”
During his free time, Nathaniel Rai plays chess and helps at his father’s charity Cancer Check Labs. (Provided to News Media)
The father said he remains deeply grateful for Ryder’s courage and determination, adding that he has become the teenager’s biggest supporter, especially after President Donald Trump publicly suggested honoring him for his heroic efforts.
“I’m a fan of every single medal, award, honor, or recognition that he can get,” Sumit said. “I’m 1 billion percent behind it. I am by far his biggest fan and so I’d love to be there and advocate for him and support him.”
After Nathaniel returned to Texas, the two families have reportedly developed a close bond, with Sumit saying Ryder and his family now feel like an extension of his own.
Sumit reportedly connected with Ryder’s father, Shane, for a lengthy phone call, and the two have remained in daily contact.
Both parents have also discussed attending a UFC fight together after discovering their shared passion for UFC and MMA. Nathaniel has trained in MMA since he was 4 years old and is a Jiu-Jitsu champion at the US Open Jiu-Jitsu World League.
“He liked UFC fights, like me and my dad and his dad,” Nathaniel said.
“One of the things we’re planning to do is all go to a fight together and meet up for that. So the four of us will go,” his dad added.
According to Sumit, Ryder’s father, Shane, is a retired firefighter, while Ryder hopes to follow in his father’s footsteps and become one.
Coincidentally, Sumit runs Cancer Check Labs, a charity and business that screens firefighters for cancer risks associated with their profession.
Nathaniel has also been involved with the organization for several years, participating in lab work, exhibitions and even conferences, his father said.
“There were just multiple areas that we were connecting,” Summit said. “I think that’s a bond that we’re going to have for the rest of our lives. I think of them like an extended family at this point. Even I haven’t even met them, which is kind of surreal. I’m looking forward to meeting them soon.”
Nathaniel, who is preparing to enter sixth grade, said he is happy to be back in Dallas spending the rest of the summer with his father. In his downtime, he enjoys playing chess, watching movies and playing board games like Monopoly with his dad.