President Donald Trump has praised a 16-year-old lifeguard for a dramatic rescue off the coast of Santa Cruz, California, stating his intention to invite the teenager and his family to the White House. Trump suggested the lifeguard may receive a high civilian honor for his actions.
The rescue occurred at Seabright Beach on Saturday, where the lifeguard, identified on social media as Ryder, was captured on video battling powerful, tsunami-like swells. The footage shows the lifeguard repeatedly disappearing beneath crashing waves while maintaining a firm grip on a young boy he was saving.
"We’re going to bring this heroic young man, and his family, into the White House with, perhaps, the boy he saved, to give him a High Civilian Honor. Very brave, he deserves it!" Trump posted on X.
Eric Trump also commended the lifeguard on social media, calling for the teen to receive the nation's highest civilian recognition.
Witnesses described the scene as frantic, with powerful surf posing a significant danger. Social media users who claimed to have been present reported that beachgoers formed a human chain to assist in the rescue, but the chain was ultimately broken by the strong waves. After bringing the child to shore, the lifeguard reportedly sought further medical assistance before paramedics arrived to evaluate the boy. He then returned to his post for the remainder of the evening.
Seabright Beach is known for its hazardous conditions, particularly its powerful shore break, which is created by swells arriving from multiple directions. According to social media users familiar with the area, the surf initially appeared calm before a massive wave suddenly impacted the beach.
California State Parks requires lifeguards to be at least 16 years old, suggesting this may have been the teen's first season on duty. A user who identified as knowing the lifeguard emphasized the difficulty of the rescue, noting the challenging conditions and the lifeguard's solo effort in bringing the child most of the way in.