Watch: California lifeguard Ryder Williams honored at the White House
Teenage lifeguard Ryder Williams, caught on video during his dramatic rescue of a child from the Santa Cruz surf, was meeting with President Donald Trump on Monday.
Williams, 16, got national attention after the incident last month at Seabright State Beach. He and fellow lifeguard Aaron Bohnen pulled a 10-year-old boy back to the beach after the child was knocked down by pounding waves.
The video went viral, and the president responded on Truth Social: “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 child, Nathaniel Rai, was also at the White House event, with his father and sister. Williams was accompanied by his parents, Bohnen and their California State Parks supervisors Justin McHenry and Alex Luscutoff.
President Donald Trump speaks as he meets with lifeguard Ryder Williams in the Oval Office of the White House, Monday, Aug. 17, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
Lifeguard Ryder Williams listens as he meets with President Donald Trump in the Oval Office of the White House, Monday, Aug. 17, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
Nathaniel Rai listens as President Donald Trump meets with lifeguard Ryder Williams in the Oval Office of the White House, Monday, Aug. 17, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
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President Donald Trump speaks as he meets with lifeguard Ryder Williams in the Oval Office of the White House, Monday, Aug. 17, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
In a statement he shared through California State Parks, Williams 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. I’m thankful to my fellow lifeguards who perform rescues just like this every day.”
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