Nathaniel Rai, 10, is sharing new details about a terrifying drowning experience in Santa Cruz, California, where he was swept into strong surf and rescued by 16-year-old California State Lifeguard Ryder Williams. The rescue, captured on viral video, has led to an unlikely friendship between the Rai family and Williams.

Nathaniel recounted to Fox News Digital that he lost consciousness and stopped breathing as Williams pulled him from the water. Upon reaching the shore, he began coughing up sand. His father, Sumit Rai, described the situation as a near-death scenario, noting that Nathaniel could have been swept much farther out to sea.

"Two more seconds in the water, he would be thrown another 15, 20 feet out," 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 Rai stated he is now Ryder Williams' "biggest fan" and that the Rai family has been contacted by the White House regarding honoring the teenager. He expressed full support for any recognition for Williams, whom the family now considers part of their "extended family."

The incident occurred during what was intended to be a relaxing beach vacation for Nathaniel, his mother, and his 8-year-old sister. Nathaniel said he was in shallow water when a large wave suddenly crashed over him.

"I started screaming for help," Nathaniel said. "I think I saw the lifeguard and then passed out."

Sumit Rai described Williams' rescue effort as determined, emphasizing the difficulty of maintaining a grip on Nathaniel, who was limp and unconscious, weighing about 100 pounds, against the strong currents and waves.

After being brought to shore, Nathaniel regained consciousness and began breathing again, but emergency personnel warned the family about the potential for "secondary drowning," a life-threatening complication that can occur hours after an incident.

Sumit Rai, who was not present during the rescue, found the viral video of the event especially alarming due to the dangerous water conditions, including rip currents and 10-foot waves.

Following Nathaniel's return to Texas, the two families have reportedly formed a close bond. Sumit Rai and Ryder Williams' father, Shane, have been in regular contact, discovering shared interests such as UFC and MMA. Nathaniel, who has trained in MMA and Jiu-Jitsu since he was four years old, said he and Ryder enjoy UFC fights. The families are planning to attend a fight together.

Shane Williams is a retired firefighter, and Ryder hopes to follow a similar career path. Coincidentally, Sumit Rai runs Cancer Check Labs, a business that screens firefighters for cancer risks. Nathaniel has also been involved with the charity.

"There were just multiple areas that we were connecting," Sumit Rai 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, preparing to enter sixth grade, is spending the rest of the summer in Dallas with his father, where he enjoys playing chess and board games.