SANTA CRUZ, Calif. (KGO) — A 16-year-old lifeguard who helped save a boy from dangerous surf at a Santa Cruz beach over the weekend is now being recognized on a national stage with an invitation to the White House.
President Donald Trump said in a post on X Tuesday that he plans to welcome the teenager and his family to the White House, where he said the young lifeguard would receive a “High Civilian Honor.”
The dramatic rescue unfolded Saturday at Seabright State Beach, near the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, and was recorded by witness Scott Vander Dussen, who said he saw a lifeguard sprint toward the ocean as a boy struggled in the powerful water.
“I saw the lifeguard just run straight out into the water, and, you know, he dove in, setting fear aside,” Vander Dussen said.
Video from the beach shows the lifeguard fighting through large, forceful waves while trying to get the boy back to safety. Vander Dussen said the ocean conditions seemed to worsen in a matter of moments.
“And I think in this situation, the young man was already out there. I don’t think he was bargaining for this. It looked like those waves changed quickly, and he just got overpowered and swept out,” he said.
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