President Donald Trump announced Tuesday that he plans to invite a 16-year-old lifeguard to the White House to honor his heroic rescue of a 10-year-old boy from strong ocean currents off Cypress Beach in California. The lifeguard, who has chosen to remain anonymous, is in his first year of service.
During a day of generally calm conditions on Saturday, a "sneaker wave" created dangerous currents, sweeping the boy approximately 200 meters from the shore. Photographer Scott Vander Dussen, who captured the rescue on video, described the event as "unbelievable" and "absurd."
"He was just sucked out," Vander Dussen told the Daily Mail. "We then saw the kid's head bobbing up and down from the water."
Vander Dussen observed the teenage lifeguard immediately enter the water and battle the waves to reach the boy. "In a flash, Vander Dussen said the lifeguard leapt into the ocean, and fought his way through the waves to drag the boy back to safety," the report stated. Other bystanders also assisted in bringing the pair back to shore.
The rescued boy was reportedly not seriously injured, able to stand on his own and cleared by paramedics before being reunited with his parents. The lifeguard, described as a talented athlete and water polo player, continued his shift that day but was later replaced due to the attention he received from grateful beachgoers.
Trump stated on Truth Social that he intended to invite the young hero and his family to the White House, and possibly the boy he saved, to present a "High Civilian Honor." He added, "Very brave, he deserves it!"
Vander Dussen's footage of the rescue gained significant attention on social media, with millions of views. He expressed relief that the near-tragedy had a positive outcome, noting, "I'm glad it has a positive spin. Hopefully we can capitalize it into something positive."