A 16-year-old rookie lifeguard praised by President Trump for a dramatic rescue on a California beach says one thought drove him as massive waves pounded around him: “I wasn’t going to let go of that kid.”
“He was going to drown, and I wasn’t going to let that happen,” Ryder Williams later told his father, retired firefighter Shane Williams, after pulling 10-year-old Nathaniel Rai from dangerous surf Saturday at Seabright State Beach in Santa Cruz.
In his first public comments since the rescue, Williams described the tense moments that unfolded and the quick decisions he made as he charged into the water.
Williams, who is serving his first year as a California State Parks lifeguard, sprang into action after seeing Nathaniel slip in ankle-deep water and then get dragged into deeper surf by powerful waves.
“I radioed it in, threw my radio and sunglasses at the base of my tower as I ran toward the kid. I put my fins on my wrist, popped my buoy and entered the water to get ahold of the child,” Williams said in his statement.
The rescue quickly drew national attention, including recognition from Trump, who said he intends to invite Williams to the White House to receive a high civilian honor.
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Authorities said Williams had been working from Tower 2 that day and was busy making safety contacts as large crowds gathered amid hazardous surf conditions.
“Due to the volatility of the water, I was unable to tube up the victim,” Williams said, explaining that the boy had gone limp while wave after wave broke over them.
Fellow lifeguard Aaron Bohnen reached the pair after several more waves battered them, while Williams yelled for bystanders who tried to help to return to shore.
After bringing Nathaniel safely onto the beach, Williams retrieved medical equipment before the boy was assessed.
He then climbed back into his tower and finished the rest of his shift.
“I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to return the child to his family safely,” Williams said. “This is my job and I love what I do.”
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