A 10-year-old boy who nearly drowned after being swept into powerful surf in Santa Cruz, California, late last month is opening up about the terrifying moments in the water — and the rescue that sparked an unexpected bond between his family and the teenage lifeguard who saved him.
Nathaniel Rai told News Outlet that he lost consciousness and stopped breathing as 16-year-old California State Lifeguard Ryder Williams fought through the rough water to pull him from the surf, a dramatic rescue later seen in a viral video. Once Nathaniel was brought back to shore, he began coughing up sand.
“Two more seconds in the water, he would be thrown another 15, 20 feet out,” Nathaniel’s father, Sumit Rai, said. “And at that point, he’d be so far out, you can’t see him, let alone rescue or retrieve him. And so he was in a near-death scenario.”
Sumit said he has become Ryder’s “biggest fan” and revealed that both families were contacted by the White House about the possibility of honoring the teenage lifeguard. He said he would strongly support any recognition for Ryder, whom the Rai family now considers part of their “extended family.”
Sumit Rai stands alongside his son, Nathaniel Rai, at a Jiu-Jitsu tournament and a medical exhibit. (Provided to News Outlet)
The Rai family said the frightening incident happened during what was meant to be a laid-back beach vacation from Dallas with Nathaniel, his mother, Annam, and his 8-year-old sister.
Nathaniel said he had been in the shallow water and did not plan to venture any farther out when a huge wave suddenly slammed into 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 Outlet/@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.
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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 Outlet)
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.
