A courageous 16-year-old lifeguard, who garnered widespread attention for saving a 10-year-old from tumultuous waters, has broken his silence regarding the dramatic rescue, sharing his experience in a statement released Wednesday.
Ryder Williams, the teenage hero at the center of this gripping story, recounted the life-saving event that took place at Santa Cruz Beach last Saturday. His quick actions have since captivated audiences across the nation. His employer, California State Parks, released his detailed account of the incident.
“While positioned 15 yards downcoast from Tower 2 for a safety watch, I noticed a child struggling about 20 yards away. He lost his balance in shallow water,” the statement begins, setting the scene for the unfolding drama.
On July 25, 2026, 16-year-old Ryder Williams repeatedly vanished beneath the immense waves, yet persisted in his efforts to save a child caught in the dangerous surf at Santa Cruz, California. (Scott Vander Dussen/Instagram @Santacruznow)
“Without hesitation, I radioed the situation, tossed my radio and sunglasses at my tower’s base, and sprinted toward the child. I secured my fins, grabbed my buoy, and plunged into the water. The situation was intense; I couldn’t secure the child with the tube initially due to the turbulent seas. He was unresponsive, and the waves crashed relentlessly. It wasn’t until two to three more waves passed that fellow lifeguard Aaron Bohnen joined me in the water. Onlookers attempted to assist, but I urged them firmly to return to shore for their safety,” Williams elaborated in his gripping narrative.
“Once Bohnen and I got the kid to shore I was instructed to get the med bag from Bohnen’s unit and we assessed the child. Shortly after, I got back into my tower where I returned to provide lifeguard services for the rest of my shift,” he continued.
“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. I’m thankful to my fellow lifeguards who perform rescues just like this every day,” Williams’ statement concluded.
Witnesses say the dramatic rescue lasted far longer than the viral video shows, with the teen lifeguard refusing to release the child despite punishing surf. (Scott Vander Dussen/Instagram @Santacruznow)
Williams’ heroics earned him national attention, praise and even an invitation to the White House.
“We’re going to bring this heroic young man, and his family, into the White House with, perhaps, the boy he saved, to give him a High Civilian Honor. Very brave, he deserves it!” the White House wrote in an X post attributed to President Donald Trump.
Williams’ rescue was one of 34 rescues in the Santa Cruz district over the weekend, California State Parks said in a statement obtained by FOX 2 KTVU.
“All California State Park lifeguard towers were staffed, there were 6 units on, a two-person rescue water craft team, three permanent lifeguard units, and a lifeguard supervisor working in Pajaro Coast,” California State Parks also said of the weekend.
Witnesses say the dramatic rescue lasted far longer than the viral video shows, with Ryder Williams refusing to release the child despite punishing surf. (Scott Vander Dussen/Instagram @Santacruznow)
The 10-year-old boy Williams rescued was identified by KTVU as being named Nathaniel. His father, Sumit Rai, praised Williams’ efforts in an interview with KTVU.
“It was a remarkable effort to bring him back to shore. I mean Ryder fought the sea,” he told the outlet.
“It’s really hard to fight that, and my son was unconscious. He weighs about 100 pounds, and he was limp, so that’s basically dead weight that he had to carry and hold onto to pull back to shore,” he continued.
“It’s so easy to let go, and he knew that if he lets go then he’s gonna basically just float away, and he’s gone. That’s the end of it, and he would have died,” Rai concluded.
News Media contacted California State Parks for comment and additional information.